He had signed as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers following the 2012 NFL draft but did not make the roster for the team.

As a fifth-year senior for the 2011 Wolverines, he was a preseason Hendricks Award watchlist candidate, and after posting at least two tackles for a loss (TFL)s in each of his final three 2011 Big Ten season games, he was recognized as a postseason honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference performer.

Van Bergen attended Shadow Ridge High School in Las Vegas for his freshman year and started on the varsity football team.

He went undefeated during the regular season of his junior year and placed 13th at the 2006 Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division 2 Lower Peninsula State championships with a throw of 145 feet 11 inches (44.48 m) and 5th in the 2007 MHSAA Division 2 finals with a throw of 154 feet 7 inches (47.12 m).

[7][8] He qualified with these throws as the MHSAA regional champion as both a junior and senior, while also placing in the shot put.

[15] Sources: Van Bergen made one start as a redshirt freshman for the 2008 Wolverines on October 11 against Toledo.

[3] Following the 2008 season, Michigan had to replace three starting senior co-captain defensive linemen: Terrance Taylor, Tim Jamison and Will Johnson.

[3] He totaled 40 tackles, 6.5 TFs, five quarterback sacks, one fumble recovery, and four pass breakups as a redshirt sophomore in 2009.

[3] His mid 4th quarter sack against Indiana on September 26, 2009, set up a 3rd and 23, a 4th down punt and the subsequent game-winning drive in the 36–33 victory.

[1] At the time of his induction into the Michigan High School Football Association Coaches Hall of Fame, he thanked several members of his extended family including his grandparents Cliff and Gloria Verschueren and Al and Doris Van Bergen.

[4] He also mentioned his brother Tyler,[4] who was three classes behind him[1] and went on to play football at Grand Valley State University.