Joey VanWetzinga

Position:
Defensive Lineman
Height:
6-2
Weight:
260
Class:
Sophomore
Hometown:
Pleasant Valley, Iowa
High School:
Pleasant Valley H.S.
Previous School:
Iowa
Twitter:
@JVanwetzinga
Instagram:
@joey_van50

Enrolled at Central Michigan in June 2025 after transferring from Iowa.

2025

As a true freshman defensive lineman, saw action in 11 of 13 games … Listed as the starter or backup defensive end on the depth chart … Concluded the year with eight tackles (one solo) … Finished with two tackles at Kent State (11/19) … Registered two tackles vs. Wagner (9/20) … Made a career-high three tackles (one solo) at Michigan (9/13) … Saw first career action in the season opener at San Jose State (8/29).

2025 AT IOWA

Enrolled in January as an early-enrollee and spent spring ball at Iowa.

HIGH SCHOOL

A December 2024 graduate of Pleasant Valley High School, where he played four years of varsity football for head coach Rusty VanWetzinga … Named the Class 5A state player of the year by Iowa Football Coaches Association … Three-time First Team All-State honoree as a defensive lineman … Earned Third Team All-State honors as a freshman… Named one of the state’s top-10 seniors by the Des Moines Register … Named team captain senior year… Two-time all-academic team member … Played a variety of positions including tight end, running back, linebacker, center, guard, and defensive line … Helped the Spartans to four Class 3 playoff appearances and a combined record of 33-9 … Recorded 34.5 tackles (26 solo), five sacks and 11.0 tackles for loss on defense and scored four rushing touchdown on offense during his senior year … Recorded 37.5 tackles, including 27 solo, 2.5 QB sacks and 10 tackles for loss as a junior … Collected 24 tackles, including 15 solo, 13 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks, as a sophomore … Rated the state of Iowa’s No. 5 recruit … Rated a three-star recruit by 247sports.com, Rivals.com, and On3.com … Also competed in wrestling and track and field … One of the state’s top wrestlers.

PERSONAL

Born Joseph Van Wetzlinga on May 1, 2006 … Son of Rusty and Julie VanWetzinga … Brother Rusty plays fullback at Central Michigan … Transferred to Central Michigan to play with his brother, who transferred to CMU from Iowa in December 2024 … Originally selected Iowa over offers from Illinois, Iowa State, Missouri, and Wisconsin … Plans to major in Engineering.

ARTICLES
Joey VanWetzinga's quick rise from Pleasant Valley to Iowa football
Iowa football early-enrollee Joey VanWetzinga enters transfer portal