Michigan Tech

College: 2008: Earned a spot on the ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District IV Second Team … Was a GLIAC All-Academic Team pick … Started all 11 games at linebacker … Finished second on the team in tackles with 65 to go with 3.5 tackles for loss … Had a season-high 11 tackles vs. Winona State (8/30) … Posted three tackles and forced a fumble at Grand Valley State (9/27) … Recorded at least six tackles in six games … 2007: Named to the GLIAC All-Academic Team … Earned Omer LaJeunesse Scholastic Achievement Award for having team’s highest grade point average … Started all 11 games at inside linebacker … Finished second on the team in tackles with 73 … Registered a season-high 12 tackles twice—vs. Indianapolis (9/8) and vs. Ferris State (10/6) … Had three tackles for loss, a forced fumble and fumble recovery vs. Ferris State (10/6) … Recorded first career interception vs. Findlay (11/10) … 2006: Earned a spot on the GLIAC All-Academic Team … Played in all 10 games at linebacker … Registered 23 tackles on the season including 1.5 for loss … Had a season-high five tackles in a 14-12 Homecoming win over Hillsdale (9/30) … 2005: Redshirted … High School: Graduated in 2005 from Grand Rapids Christian (Mich.) High School … Coached by Brad Mockabee … Tallied 173 tackles and two interceptions as a senior linebacker and earned all-state honors … Was a three-time All-City League selection … Earned All-Grand Rapids Area laurels as a junior and senior … Also participated in track for two years … Played in symphonic and jazz bands … Took part in Science Olympiad … Personal: Son of Mark and Denise van der Laan of Grand Rapids, Mich. … Born July 17, 1987, in Columbus, Ohio … Has one younger brother … Enjoys music … Owns a 3.97 grade point average in electrical engineering.