2024 – – Caught five passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start and collegiate debut in season-opening 40-0 shutout of Illinois State… leads the Big Ten and ranks sixth in the nation in receiving touchdowns… first Hawkeye freshman since Ihmir Smith-Marsette (2017) to have two receiving touchdowns in a game and the first freshman to score a touchdown in a season-opener since Dominique Douglas (2006)… first true freshman to start a game since 2022, first true freshman wide receiver to start since 2021 and the seventh true freshman wide out to start under Head Coach Kirk Ferentz.
High School Honors – – Two-time all-state and all-district selection… District 1 Offensive Most Valuable Player… 2021 and 2022 all-state (baseball)… 2022 second-team all-state and all-state tournament team (basketball)… team captain as a senior… Career – – Three-time football letterman… Central Lyon/GLR won football and basketball state championships in 2022, was football and basketball state runners-up in 2023 and 2021, respectively… his team won all 13 football games in 2022 and went 12-1 as a senior in 2023… established a school record in single season receiving yards (768) in 2022… completed 96-of-129 passes for 1,288 yards and 14 touchdowns; rushed for 1,767 yards and 24 touchdowns; caught two passes for 60 yards and two scores; totaled 41.5 tackles and two interceptions his senior season… had 32 receptions for 768 yards and 22 tackles, four interceptions and one score as a junior… caught five passes for 78 yards, rushed for 46 yards and had 16 tackles, two interceptions and two scores as a sophomore… also earned four letters in basketball, track (sprinter) and five letters in baseball (pitcher and short stop)… 2021 and 2022 state track qualifier.
Personal – – Born 9/16/2005… pre-business major… parents are Joe and Meredith Vander Zee… has five siblings… teammate of current Hawkeye Zach Lutmer at Central Lyon/GLR… High Honor Roll all four years… enjoys yoga… high school coach was Curtis Eben.