MSU OT Dan Vanopstall earns scholarship after spending three seasons as PWO
MSU offensive lineman Dan VanOpstall stands underneath the o-line chute during 2021 fall practice/ Photo Credit: MSU Athletic Communications
October 5, 2021
EAST LANSING— After three-plus years, redshirt junior offensive tackle Dan VanOpstall is finally on scholarship.
“Energy and persistence conquer all things.” ~ Benjamin Franklin Thankful for this opportunity! @Coach_mtucker @MSU_Football @CoachCKap #Scholarship pic.twitter.com/bdlkpF2ikr
— Dan VanOpstall (@dvanop68) October 4, 2021
So Happy and Proud for You! Earned and Deserved! Juice! https://t.co/DefLSp0V1K
— Chris Kapilovic (@CoachCKap) October 4, 2021
VanOpstall, a Jenison, Michigan, native made the announcement on Monday evening. He originally joined the team during the 2018 season under former head coach Mark Dantonio as a preferred walk-on despite having an offer for a full-ride at Division II Hillsdale College (where his older brother, Matt, played).
He was also offered by Army, Indiana State and Western Illinois out of high school.
During his time at Jenison High School, VanOpstall played on the offensive and defensive line and was a two-time OK Conference all-league selection, where he also wrestled. The Associated Press also named him as a Division 1-2 honorable mention all-state selection as a senior.
In 2020, VanOpstall appeared in six games on special teams (34 overall plays) to receive his first varsity letter; he has also appeared in all five games as a special teams player in 2021.
VanOpstall, 6-foot-6 and 305 pounds, also received some playing time in the second half of MSU’s 42-14 home win over Youngstown State on Sept. 11.
