Matt VandeBerg embraces leadership more than stardom
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Matt VandeBerg has been around for so long that it’s easy to take him for granted.
He wasn’t redshirted as a true freshman on the Iowa football team in 2013 despite being a lightly recruited and somewhat frail receiver from Brandon, S.D.
Instead, VandeBerg appeared in 11 games as a true freshman with two starts. He has been a mainstay at receiver ever since, starting 11 games last season.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound VandeBerg doesn’t have blazing speed or the size to overpower defensive backs.
But what he does have are sure hands, precise route-running ability and an unshakable courage that it takes to play receiver at an elite level.
“I know that if I get the ball near him, he’ll catch it,” Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard said of VandeBerg earlier this summer. “He makes my job easier.”
VandeBerg showed his unselfishness when asked at media day what more he could do for the team after leading Iowa in receptions (65) and receiving yards (703) last season.
“I don’t put anything on any of that,” said VandeBerg, who was one of four true freshmen to play for Iowa in 2013. “I don’t worry about numbers or anything.
“My goal is just help this team win, whether I have 65 blocks or 65 catches. It doesn’t matter just as long as I’m helping this team win.”
In addition to his role at receiver, VandeBerg was one of nine seniors named to Iowa’s 2016 Leadership Group.
His impact is widespread, and yet, VandeBerg seems to get overlooked at times.
Reporters asked Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz 25 questions during his media day press conference on August 6, but none were about VandeBerg.
That is partly due to VandeBerg being a proven commodity because the focus on media day often shifts to the newcomers.
But there were plenty of questions asked on media day about Iowa’s other star players like Beathard, defensive back Desmond King, linebacker Josey Jewell and running backs LeShun Daniels and Akrum Wadley.
This isn’t to suggest that VandeBerg is at the same level as Beathard and King. But from a statistical standpoint, VandeBerg is in elite company.
VandeBerg is just the third Hawkeye receiver under Ferentz to return after having at least 60 receptions in the previous season.
The first was Kevin Kasper, who had 60 catches for 664 yards and three touchdowns in Ferentz’s first season in 1999. Kasper followed that up with 82 catches for 1,010 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior in 2000.
Clinton Solomon led Iowa with 63 catches for 905 yards and six touchdowns as a junior in 2004. He also led the team in receptions as a senior with 46, totaling 800 yards and seven touchdowns.
VandeBerg’s unassuming personality probably contributes to his low profile. He still takes nothing for granted that is football related.
VandeBerg considers it a privilege to play for Iowa and reminds himself of that each time he takes the field. He is reluctant to call himself Iowa’s star receiver despite his experience and statistics because it just doesn’t fit his humble nature.
“Any time coach puts me on the football field, he has confidence and trust in me and that means that I need to have confidence and trust myself because my coaches are saying we think you can do this,” VandeBerg said. “That just builds my confidence.
“Being around a while, it does help. But we’re going to need the younger guys as well to step up.”
VandeBerg in many ways epitomizes Iowa football under Ferentz.
He came to Iowa as an unheralded grayshirt recruit and then showed quickly that he belonged at this level. He was put on scholarship and now ranks as one of the most productive receivers in school history.
His 65 catches from last season rank third in school history for a single-season. Only nine times has an Iowa player caught at least 60 passes in a season.
So what you’re seeing with VandeBerg doesn’t happen very often.
Defenses probably won’t take him for granted, considering Iowa’s lack of experience at the other receiver positions.
Much of the attention this past spring and summer has been at split end where sophomores Jerminic Smith and Jay Scheel are competing for the starting position.
VandeBerg has embraced being a senior leader, because just like when he ignores his statistics, it’s putting the team first. He also is quick to include fellow senior receiver Riley McCarron as a leader.
“If they’ve got a look that they don’t know what to do or there is a play call that they’re a little iffy on, that’s what I’m there for as well as the coaches and Riley as well,” VandeBerg said. “Riley and I are definitely trying to help that way.”