Packers Rookie Lukas Van Ness - Photo by Packers Wire
GREEN BAY, WI (WSAU) – Even though it’s still June and the Green Bay Packers first-round draft pick Lukas Van Ness won’t wear pads until training camp in late July, many players and coaches are already very impressed with him.
Veteran edge rushers Rashan Gary and Preston Smith, pass-rush specialist Jason Rebrovich, and defensive coordinator Joe Barry all praised the rookie in a video on the team’s official Twitter account.
Athletic. Smart. Cerebral.
You'll know the name.#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/vBq1pX1bMv
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) June 20, 2023
Paul Bretl of Packers Wire spoke about seeing Van Ness during the offseason workout program saying, “Seeing him in person, it’s not hard to figure out why he was given the nickname Hercules. On the football field, his speed and strength were clear as day. Even during individual drills, the burst he possesses getting off the ball was clear as day. During 11-on-11s, there were a few instances where I saw him push back both Yosh Nijman and Caleb Jones.”
Outside Linebacker Preston Smith spoke about the defense on NFL Network saying, “Well, personally, we feel like last year was one of our best seasons as a defense,” Smith said, entering his fifth year with Green Bay. “With so much talent on our defense, we know we have to step it up a lot, and knowing we have a young quarterback, we have to be tremendous this year.”
If healthy, the Packers’ defense, could rank among the best in the NFL. With stars like Rashan Gary, who recently suffered a season-ending injury being slated to be ready for Week 1, and Kenny Clark continuing to be one of the best defensive linemen in the league there is no reason why this defense would struggle this upcoming season. The team also has high hopes for second-year players Devonte Wyatt and Quay Walker and Jaire Alexander to continue being one of the league’s top one-on-one cover corners.
Comments