The Indianapolis Colts today signed tight end Jason Vander Laan to the practice squad.
Vander Laan, 6-4, 244 pounds, participated in the New York Jets' 2017 offseason program and training camp before being waived during final cuts on September 3. As a rookie in 2016, he spent time on the Jets practice squad. Vander Laan originally signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2016.
Collegiately, Vander Laan started all 46 career games at quarterback at Ferris State and completed 666-of-1,050 passes for 8,240 yards with 85 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. He also registered 1,010 carries for 5,953 yards and 81 touchdowns. Vander Laan became only the fourth player in history to win the Harlon Hill Trophy twice (2014 and 2015) as NCAA Division II's Most Outstanding Player. His 5,953 rushing yards are the most by a quarterback in NCAA history at any level and his 81 rushing touchdowns are the second-most by a quarterback in college football history (most in NCAA Division II). Vander Laan became the first player in NCAA history to top 1,000 yards rushing and passing for four consecutive seasons. He was named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year twice and earned All-America honors three times. In 2013, Vander Laan set the NCAA single-season all-time record for most rushing yards by a quarterback (1,607).
