The Indianapolis Colts today elevated tight end Jason Vander Laan to the 53-man roster from the practice squad and waived guard Isaiah Williams.
Vander Laan, 6-4, 244 pounds, was signed to the Colts practice squad on November 3. He participated in the New York Jets' 2017 offseason program and training camp before being waived during final cuts on September 3. As a rookie in 2016, Vander Laan spent time on the Jets practice squad. He originally signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2016.
Collegiately, Vander Laan started all 46 career games at quarterback at Ferris State and completed 666-of-1,050 passes for 8,240 yards with 85 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. He also registered 1,010 carries for 5,953 yards and 81 touchdowns. Vander Laan became only the fourth player in history to win the Harlon Hill Trophy twice (2014 and 2015) as NCAA Division II's Most Outstanding Player. His 5,953 rushing yards are the most by a quarterback in NCAA history at any level and his 81 rushing touchdowns are the second-most by a quarterback in college football history (most in NCAA Division II). Vander Laan became the first player in NCAA history to top 1,000 yards rushing and passing for four consecutive seasons. He was named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year twice and earned All-America honors three times. In 2013, Vander Laan set the NCAA single-season all-time record for most rushing yards by a quarterback (1,607).
Williams, 6-3, 306 pounds, was signed to the Colts active roster from the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad on October 14 and was inactive for five games. He spent the first five weeks of the 2017 season on the Chiefs practice squad. Williams spent the 2016 season on the Washington Redskins practice squad. He was originally signed by the Redskins as an undrafted free agent on August 3, 2016.
