Liam Danitz lines up the same way for Hope College, whether it's third down and he's itching to sack the opposing quarterback, or it's a 100-meter sprint on a track.

Starting block or not, Danitz explodes out of his stance and delivers elite performances for the Flying Dutchmen.

This football season, Danitz has emerged as one of NCAA Division III's top pass rushers, ranking fourth in the nation with 13 sacks and seventh with 19 tackles for a loss. The senior defensive lineman from West Branch, Michigan (Ogemaw Heights) was chosen as the MIAA's Most Valuable Defensive Player.

Danitz leads the MIAA's No. 1-ranked total defense into the NCAA playoffs this weekend. After earning a first-round bye, Hope hosts the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse on Saturday, Nov. 29, at noon at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium. Tickets can be purchased through the Hope College Ticket Office online or at the game beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Last track season, Danitz earned All-America honors as a junior in the 200 meters at the NCAA Division III outdoor and indoor track championships, placing seventh indoors and fifth outdoors. The exercise science major was the Flying Dutchmen's first 200-meter All-American in both events. Danitz was also the MIAA champion in the outdoor 100 and 200 meters and indoor 200 meters, setting a league record during the indoor season.
 

"Special without question"

Head football coach Peter Stuusma said Danitz's growth from a high school running back into a college defensive force has been impressive.

"Liam can really run. He's 6-4, 231 pounds, who runs a 10.5 100," Stuursma said. "Liam just continued to work and realized, I think, probably a year ago, how special he could be in the game of football because of his speed, his agility and his ability to use his hands. He's special without question."

In 10 football games this season, Danitz has already surpassed his sack total from the previous two seasons combined, bringing his career total to 25. He's recorded at least a half-sack in nine consecutive games and posted a career-best three during a Week 2 victory at Franklin College (Indiana).

Danitz has nearly doubled his tackle-for-loss output, totaling 19 so far after a 10.5 during the Flying Dutchmen's run to an 11-1 record, an MIAA championship and the first postseason victory in program history.

"I think I've grown a lot," Danitz said. "I'm a faster player this year. I put in the work this offseason after track season. I knew what had to be done in order to have that success."

Danitz has tackled the challenge of being the opponent's primary blocking focus.

"Other coaches are going to have to prepare to how to block him because he's not a guy you're going to single-block because he's so fast and he's also very wiry. He's able to duck and move and get lower pad level than a big offensive tackle," Stuursma said. "I think teams are game planning for him, but he takes that in such stride. He's just such a neat young man, with such an incredible ability to compete. As you've noticed in track, he just loves to compete. I think he's just continuing to get better."
 

Building on Trust

Danitz credited his teammates and his coaches for elevating his play this season. 

Defensive coordinator Jacob Pardonnet, defensive line coach Isaiah Hicks and assistant defensive line coach Ted Manning have molded the defensive line this season. They have coached veterans such as Danitz and senior Caleb Paarlberg (Alto, Michigan / Caledonia) and newcomers into a relentless unit up front.

Hope ranks eighth in the nation with 79 team tackles for loss.

"I believe in our coaches. We put in the work, and the results have shown," Danitz said. "It all comes down to trust. Caleb is usually right next to me. We've been next to each other for the last two years. We know how to play together. He knows what I'm going to do, and I know what he's going to do. The other side is disciplined, too. The trust is there that we're going to be in the right spots."

Danitz's success starts when he lines up for the snap, Pardonnet said.

"His get-off is elite," Pardonnet said. "He's used to getting off the blocks from track. He's got a really good burst out of the gate. The fact that he's an All-American sprinter doesn't hurt. He's just slippery. He's got some really good bend that allows him to be fluid, both on the edge as he's trying to get around people, but also to slip inside. What we do schematically allows him to use those traits."

The transition from track to football was an easy one for Danitz.

"One-hundred percent, my defensive line stance is my starting block stance. I do the same thing, with or without a starting block, to get off as fast as I can," Danitz said. "It's hard for [offensive linemen] to see someone running at you that fast. Track has helped me a ton."