2024 – – Started all seven games at wide receiver… has 14 catches for 176 yards (12.6 yards per catch avg.), with a long of 19 yards, and three touchdowns on the season… 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… 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… caught three passes for 47 yards and one touchdown (long of 18 yards) in 20-32 loss at Michigan State… caught three passes for 29 yards (long of 14 yards) in 7-35 loss at #3/3 Ohio State… caught one pass for 10 yards in 19-20 loss to Iowa State, one pass for 18 yards in 31-14 win at Minnesota, and one pass for six yards in 40-16 win over Washington.
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.