Ferris State Standouts Vander Laan & Zimmer Sign NFL Free Agent Contracts

Big Rapids, Mich. - Two of the most decorated players in Ferris State University football history will have an opportunity to compete in the National Football League (NFL) as former Bulldog captains Jason Vander Laan (Frankfort, Ill./Chicago Christian) and Justin Zimmer (Greenville) both inked as preferred free agents shortly after this weekend's NFL Draft on Saturday night.

Vander Laan, who completed his collegiate eligibility as a two-time Harlon Hill Trophy winner as the NCAA Division II Player of the Year, signed with the New York Jets shortly after the completion of this weekend's NFL Draft, which was held in Chicago. Meanwhile, Zimmer inked a deal with the NFL's Buffalo Bills and is expected to join the club in preparation for the franchise's upcoming rookie mini-camp later this week.

The two Bulldog signees unofficially represent at least the 12th and 13th former Ferris State players to ever sign an NFL contract. Several other fellow seniors also generated interest prior to the draft with strong pro days and could still sign, including wide receiver Jake Lampman (East Lansing/Haslett), slot receiver Antonio Agurs (Bradenton, Fla./Manatee), offensive lineman Cody Dingeldey (L'Anse) and cornerback Troy Smith (Indianapolis/Pike).

This year marks the fourth-straight year in which at least one Bulldog senior has received a chance to continue his career on the professional level. Last year, in 2015, former defensive tackle Marcus Cribbs was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent soon after the NFL Draft. Former defensive back Marvin Robinson inked with the Dallas Cowboys in 2014 and before Cribbs was the first since free agent cornerback Angelo Williams with the Minnesota Vikings in 2010. Previously, in 2013, former defensive end Jordan Morgan received a rookie tryout with the New York Giants, but did not sign.

The select group also consists of running back Dave Gagnon (1974-Chicago Bears), outside linebacker Monty Brown (1997-New York Jets), defensive tackle Ed Philion (1994-Buffalo Bills), defensive end Dave Zuiderveen (2001-Atlanta Falcons), flanker Clarence Coleman (2002-Buffalo Bills), tackle Matt McCoy (2004-Detroit Lions), wide receiver Carlton Brewster (2006-Cleveland Browns) and defensive tackle Jake Visser (2009-Houston Texans).

Two other former Ferris State players, offensive guard Bill Bourdlais and safety Patrick Wells, received tryout invitations from the Cleveland Browns in 2008 and participated in the team's rookie minicamp, but did not ink a deal. Several others have also had NFL tryouts including wide receiver Andre Johnson (1989), quarterback Dave DenBraber (1987) and receiver/returner Fred Kirkland (1981). Defensive back James Skodak (2006) also had tryouts with several NFL organizations among other past Bulldog standouts.

Vander Laan, who earned his second consecutive Harlon Hill Trophy as the nation's top collegiate player, became the greatest rushing quarterback in NCAA college football history at any level last season, concluding his career with 5,953 total yards on the ground. He also became the first player in NCAA history to top 1,000 yards rushing and passing for four consecutive seasons.

The senior signal caller led the Bulldogs to a cumulative 37-9 overall mark, two Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles, two NCAA playoff appearances and back-to-back unbeaten regular seasons as the Ferris State quarterback in the last four years. The two-time GLIAC Player of the Year finished his senior campaign passing for 2,625 yards and 27 touchdowns while rushing for 1,542 yards and 24 more scores.

Zimmer finished his collegiate career as a three-time All-GLIAC First Team selection for the Bulldogs. He was both a nominee for the Gene Upshaw NCAA Division II Lineman of the Year Award and the Cliff Harris National Small College Defensive Player of the Year Award this past year after being a national finalist for both honors the previous campaign.

Statistically, Zimmer led Ferris State in tackles (81), quarterback sacks (13), tackles for loss (26) and forced fumbles (four). Along with Vander Laan, he was also chosen to the 2015 CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team squad, making him a three-time Academic All-American and two-time first-team recipient.

Last fall, the Bulldogs finished with an 11-1 overall record for the second-straight year and captured the school's second GLIAC Championship in the last two seasons while capping off back-to-back unbeaten regular seasons. Ferris State also stretched its regular-season win streak to a current 25-game stretch and posted the first playoff victory in 19 years.

FSU has posted the GLIAC's best league record over the past four seasons (34-6) and the squad owns the top overall four-year record of all 21 collegiate programs in Michigan (37-9).