[citation needed] In basketball, he averaged 29.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game as a senior and led Salmon River to consecutive 1A, Div.

As a redshirt freshman assigned to the role of backup linebacker in 2015, he appeared in all twelve games and registered 20 tackles (14 solo), one sack, one fumble recovery, and a first down on a fake punt.

He was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year after making 141 tackles (fifth in the FBS), four sacks, two interceptions, and four forced fumbles (led the team).

Vander Esch's overall combine performance impressed scouts; he finished tied for second among all linebackers in the vertical jump and short shuttle.

[11] Vander Esch participated in Boise State's pro day on April 3, 2018, but opted to stand on his combine numbers and only performed positional drills.

He attended pre-draft visits with multiple teams, including the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, and Buffalo Bills.

[12][13][14] At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Vander Esch was projected to be a first-round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts.

[24] Head coach Jason Garrett named Vander Esch the backup middle linebacker, behind Smith, to start the regular season.

[25] He made his professional regular season debut in the Cowboys' season-opener at the Carolina Panthers and recorded three combined tackles in their 16–8 loss.

On September 30, Vander Esch earned his first career start after Sean Lee sustained a hamstring injury and was inactive for three games (Weeks 4–6).

[27] On November 11, Vander Esch recorded a season-high 13 solo tackles and made his first career interception during a 27–20 win over the Eagles, earning him NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

He intercepted a pass by Eagles' quarterback Carson Wentz, that was intended for tight end Zach Ertz, during the first quarter.

Across nine games, Vander Esch recorded 72 tackles (43 solo, 29 assisted), 0.5 sacks, three passes defended, and one forced fumble.

In the week 1 season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, Vander Esch recorded two combined tackles in the first half before leaving the game with a broken collarbone.

Vander Esch missed the final four regular season games with a neck stinger he suffered in Week 14 against the Houston Texans.