James Vandenberg

James Vandenberg is an American former football quarterback. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings in 2013. He played college football at Iowa.

Early life

Vandenberg went to Keokuk High School in Keokuk, Iowa. While in high school, Vandenberg was the most prolific passer in Iowa high school history. He ranks sixth all-time nationally in single season completion percentage, and tenth nationally in career completion percentage. He holds 10 different Iowa high school passing records, including career touchdown passes and single season touchdown passes. In 2007, he led Keokuk to their first and only State Championship in football, winning the 3A title in a 42-7 blowout of Sioux City Heelan.
Vandenberg committed to the University of Iowa on December 7, 2007. Vandenberg also had scholarship offers from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Northern Illinois University, and University of Northern Iowa.

After a year as a redshirt freshman, Vandenberg made his first career start for the Hawkeyes on November 14, 2009, against the 2009 [Ohio State Buckeyes football team|Ohio State Buckeyes], stepping in for Ricky Stanzi who suffered a season-ending ankle injury the week before. In his first game as a starter, Vandenberg faced off against Terrelle Pryor of the Buckeyes in a game that determined the Big Ten Conference title. The Buckeyes won the game, 27-24, in overtime. Vandenberg led the Hawkeyes through the end of the regular season. The Hawkeyes finished with an 11-2 record and a spot in the Orange Bowl against the 2009 [Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team|Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets].

Vandenberg signed as an undrafted free agent for the Minnesota Vikings on April 27, 2013. Vandenberg was released by the Vikings on August 26, 2013 to get to a 75-man roster.