2021 Football Roster
Roster
Heitmann, Van

Jersey Number 98
Van Heitmann
- Height:
- 6-6
- Weight:
- 207
- Class:
- Freshman
- Hometown:
- Houston, Texas
- High School:
- Stratford HS
Bio
Honors at Rice
2023
Saw action in all 13 games on special teams and six games on defense, including his first career start (SMU)… Credited with his first career tackle in the opener at Texas and matched that with single stops vs. Tulsa, Tulane, SMU, and in the First Responder Bowl vs. Texas State for his first career TFL (loss of two yards)… Saw action on a career-best 136 special teams plays this year and 71 snaps on defense (also a career-best).
2022
Saw action in a career-high 12 games with 127 plays on special teams and 10 on defense… Saw his most action vs. UTEP (13 plays)… Saw his first career action on defense with 10 snaps vs. McNeese.
2021
Saw action in six games on the Owls' field goal block unit on special teams.
2020
Earned a letter as a member of the squad during the pandemic impacted season but did not see action in any games.
Stratford High School
Two-year starter who earned All-District honors for head coach Todd Rankin.
Personal
Full name: Van Michael Heitmann... Born: February 12 at Cypress, Texas... Parents: James and Lauren Heitmann... (two brothers, one sister)... Uncle Eric Heitmann played football at Stanford and played eight seasons for the San Francisco 49ers... Rice major: undeclared... Rice college: Wiess.
- Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll (2021, 2022, 2023)
- CSC Academic All-District (2023)
2023
Saw action in all 13 games on special teams and six games on defense, including his first career start (SMU)… Credited with his first career tackle in the opener at Texas and matched that with single stops vs. Tulsa, Tulane, SMU, and in the First Responder Bowl vs. Texas State for his first career TFL (loss of two yards)… Saw action on a career-best 136 special teams plays this year and 71 snaps on defense (also a career-best).
2022
Saw action in a career-high 12 games with 127 plays on special teams and 10 on defense… Saw his most action vs. UTEP (13 plays)… Saw his first career action on defense with 10 snaps vs. McNeese.
2021
Saw action in six games on the Owls' field goal block unit on special teams.
2020
Earned a letter as a member of the squad during the pandemic impacted season but did not see action in any games.
Stratford High School
Two-year starter who earned All-District honors for head coach Todd Rankin.
Personal
Full name: Van Michael Heitmann... Born: February 12 at Cypress, Texas... Parents: James and Lauren Heitmann... (two brothers, one sister)... Uncle Eric Heitmann played football at Stanford and played eight seasons for the San Francisco 49ers... Rice major: undeclared... Rice college: Wiess.
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Wiess College |
Louisiana Postgame
Sunday, August 31
2025 February Signing Day
Thursday, February 06
Scott Abell 2024 December Signing Day
Wednesday, December 04
USF postgame
Sunday, December 01