“J.A. (Jonathan Allen), ‘Graves (Javon Hargrave), all these guys that came in, you know, they’re bringing the right people in,” Van Ginkel said about the roster adds, singling out a couple interior d-linemen that could feasibly elevate his game on the edge. “They built a culture here and they’re sticking to it, and props to K.O. (Head Coach Kevin O’Connell) – kind of his standard, his expectations, and just filling voids.”
With a bump in juice on the inside, it’s fair to presume Van Ginkel and fellow edges Jonathan Greenard, Dallas Turner and others, may meet more 1-on-1 opportunities – and thus “get home” to opposing quarterbacks more frequently.
There’s another piece, as well, to the aspirational championship puzzle that has Van Ginkel raring to go.
Regarding the not-so-surprising choice by captain Harrison Smith to return for Year 14, Van Ginkel quipped he was on the fence over any shock: “I am, but I ain’t,” he said, smiling and shaking his head.
“He’s a guy that loves football, he loves being around the guys, and just being able to develop a relationship with him is special,” Van Ginkel added. “And, you know, he’s still got more left in the tank.”
Van Ginkel, too. And then some.
“Obviously, we love it here,” Van Ginkel reiterated. “We wanted to be here, and anytime you can just get an extension, get more security, it’s something that I wanted and I’m glad that we could get it done.”