BREAKING: Georgia Tech Lands Penn State Defensive Tackle Transfer

Georgia Tech adds more depth to the front seven on defense with the addition of Jordan van den Berg

Georgia Tech began spring practice yesterday, but they made a huge move in the transfer portal today that is going to help their defensive line. 

Jordan van den Berg, a defensive tackle transfer from Penn State, announced on social media that he is committed to the Yellow Jackets. He is the second defensive tackle transfer that Georgia Tech has taken this offseason, joining Florida State's Ayo Tifase. He has two years of eligibility remaining. 

I’M COMING HOME!!!🐝🐝🐝 pic.twitter.com/UPBZnsogRt

— Jordan van den Berg (@JordanvandenB12) March 12, 2024

This is a nice addition to the defensive line room. Georgia Tech had some players transfer out and were looking to improve a defense that was one of the worst in the country against the run. At 6'3 310 LBS, van den Berg gives them size and new defensive line coach Jess Simpson will look to make him into an all-around threat in the middle of the defense. Look for him to compete for playing time immediately. 

From his bio at Penn State Athletics: 

2023 • REDSHIRT JUNIOR SEASON

Awards: Postseason: Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. Preseason: Named to the Reese's Senior Bowl watch list.

Season: Played in 11 games...Posted 11 tackles (6 solo), a half-tackle for loss, a fumble recovery and a quarterback hurry.

West Virginia (9/2): Made two solo stops. at Illinois (9/16): Assisted on a tackle. Iowa (9/23): Assisted on a tackle and added a quarterback hurry. Indiana (10/28): Made a solo tackle. at Maryland (11/4): Recoverd a fumble in the fourth quarter. Rutgers (11/18): Tallied three tackles and a half-tackle for loss. at Michigan State (11/24): Made a solo stop. vs. Ole Miss (12/30): Posted two tackles.

2022 • REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE SEASON

Awards: Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.

Season: Appeared in all 13 games...Made nine tackles (4 solo) to go along with 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a pair of quarterback hurries.

Ohio (9/10): Assisted on two tackles. at Auburn (9/17): Recorded a solo sack in the fourth quarter. Central Michigan (9/24): Assisted on a tackle. Northwestern (10/1): Made one stop. at Michigan (10/15): Picked up a solo tackle. Minnesota (10/22): Recorded a quarterback hurry. Maryland (11/12): Forced a fumble that led to a takeaway late in the game. Michigan State (11/26): Posted a solo tackle. vs. Utah (1/2): Assisted on a sack.

2021 • FRESHMAN SEASON

Awards: Earned the coaching staff's Developmental Squad Defensive Player of the Year award along with Dominic DeLuca and Jaden Seider.

Season: Redshirt season...Appeared in four games...Posted six tackles (4 solo), two tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble...Selected the coaching staff's Developmental Squad Defensive Player of the Week twice (Wisconsin, 9/4; Indiana, 10/2).

at Maryland (11/6): Forced a fumble on a sack in the fourth quarter, the firsts of his career. vs. Arkansas (1/1): Tallied five tackles (3 solo) to go along with a tackle for loss.

2020 • IOWA WESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Was named a junior college first-team All-American following the completion of the season...Was also a first-team all-region selection...Appeared in eight games for the Reivers during the spring of 2021...Helped lead the team to an 8-1 overall record...Made 13 tackles on the season, including one sack and four tackles for loss...Opened the season with three tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss against Snow College...Tallied seven tackles and a half tackle for loss vs. Iowa Central Community College...Recorded 1.5 tackles for loss in the win over Ellsworth Community College.

Brent Key Gives Important Injury Updates After First Day Of Spring Practice