Lukas Van Ness Family: Girlfriend, Children, Parents and Siblings

Last Updated on October 28, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova

Lukas Van Ness is an American professional football player who plays as a defensive end and outside linebacker for the Green Bay Packers in the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 6, 2001, in Barrington, Illinois, Van Ness became one of the most promising defensive players at the University of Iowa before being selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Beyond his professional achievements, fans are interested in Lukas Van Ness’s family, including his girlfriend, children, parents and siblings. His parents are Jason and Leanna Van Ness, and he has three siblings: Hanna, Ella and Devan Van Ness. He is also known for his relationship with Frankie Kmet, the younger sister of Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet. His family has played an important role in his development as an athlete and professional football player.

Lukas Van Ness’s Girlfriend: Meet Frankie Kmet

Lukas Van Ness’s girlfriend is Frankie Kmet, the younger sister of Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet. Their relationship has attracted considerable attention because Van Ness plays for the Green Bay Packers, one of the Bears’ biggest NFL rivals.

The couple reportedly began dating in 2022 after meeting while attending the University of Iowa. Their relationship became widely known during the 2023 NFL Draft, when Frankie joined Van Ness and his family to celebrate his selection by the Packers.

Frankie publicly congratulated her boyfriend on social media after Green Bay selected him with the 13th overall pick, expressing pride in his achievements and excitement about his professional football future.

As of now, the latest widely documented reports, published in January 2026, continue to identify Frankie Kmet as Lukas Van Ness’s girlfriend.

Who Is Frankie Kmet?

Frankie Kmet is the younger sister of NFL tight end Cole Kmet, who plays for the Chicago Bears. She grew up in the Chicago area and attended the University of Iowa, where she reportedly met Lukas Van Ness.

Although Frankie is not a professional football player, her connection to two NFL athletes has attracted media attention, particularly when the Packers and Bears face each other.

Her brother Cole entered the NFL in 2020 after playing college football at Notre Dame, while Van Ness joined the league three years later.

This connection has created an unusual situation during Packers-Bears games, with Frankie having personal relationships with players on both sides of one of the NFL’s oldest rivalries.

How Did Lukas Van Ness and Frankie Kmet Meet?

Lukas Van Ness and Frankie Kmet reportedly met at the University of Iowa in 2022. Their relationship developed while Van Ness was establishing himself as a talented defensive lineman for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The couple celebrated an important milestone in April 2023 when the Green Bay Packers selected Van Ness in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Frankie was present during the family’s celebrations, demonstrating her support for his transition from college football to the professional league.

Their relationship received renewed media attention in January 2026 ahead of a playoff game between Green Bay and Chicago.

What Has Cole Kmet Said About His Sister’s Relationship?

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet publicly discussed his sister’s relationship with Lukas Van Ness ahead of the teams’ NFC Wild Card playoff meeting in January 2026.

During a media interview, Cole jokingly suggested that he avoided talking to his sister during Packers week because her boyfriend played for Green Bay.

He also revealed that Frankie had contacted him requesting tickets to the playoff game.

When reporters asked which team Frankie would support, Cole explained that she was generally happy to see both players remain healthy, although he hoped she would secretly support Chicago.

His comments highlighted the friendly family rivalry created by Frankie’s relationship with a player from the Bears’ divisional rival.

Does Lukas Van Ness Have Children?

As of now, there is no publicly verified information confirming that Lukas Van Ness has children. The Green Bay Packers defensive player has not made a widely documented announcement identifying a son or daughter.

Although his relationship with Frankie Kmet is publicly known, neither has been reliably reported as having children together.

His official NFL biography and available interviews primarily discuss his athletic career, family upbringing and community involvement rather than parenthood.

Therefore, there is no reliable basis for claiming that Lukas Van Ness is currently a father.

Is Lukas Van Ness Married?

There is no reliable public confirmation that Lukas Van Ness is married. Frankie Kmet has been identified as his girlfriend in reporting published in January 2026, but no verified marriage announcement has been established.

Consequently, she should not be described as his wife without confirmation that their marital status has changed.

Lukas Van Ness’s Parents: Meet Jason and Leanna Van Ness

Lukas Van Ness was born to Jason Van Ness and Leanna Van Ness in Illinois. Both parents have been actively involved in supporting their children’s education, athletic development and personal achievements.

Jason and Leanna attended Iowa State University, although their son eventually chose to play college football for the University of Iowa.

The couple raised four children: Hanna, Lukas, Ella and Devan Van Ness. Sports played an important role in their household, with several of their children participating in football, hockey, soccer and other athletic activities.

In a 2023 feature published by Quintessential Barrington, Leanna discussed the family’s parenting philosophy, emphasizing unconditional love, effort, education and personal responsibility.

Lukas Van Ness’s Father: Jason Van Ness

Jason Van Ness is Lukas Van Ness’s father and a chiropractor based in Barrington, Illinois. He has professional experience in chiropractic care and sports-related physical health.

His understanding of athletic conditioning and injury prevention helped Lukas manage the physical demands of playing multiple sports during childhood.

According to a 2023 feature published by Quintessential Barrington, Jason taught Lukas how to manage minor injuries and understand the importance of caring for his body.

This knowledge was particularly valuable because Lukas participated in ice hockey and American football, two physically demanding sports.

Jason also encouraged his son’s interest in football from an early age.

In a feature published by the Green Bay Packers in June 2023, Van Ness recalled that his father had taken him to an Iowa football game during childhood. The experience left a lasting impression and contributed to his interest in the Hawkeyes.

Although Jason and Leanna both attended Iowa State, they supported Lukas when he decided that Iowa offered the best opportunity for his football development.

Jason remained involved throughout his son’s college career and was among the family members who celebrated when Green Bay selected him in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Lukas Van Ness’s Mother: Leanna Van Ness

Leanna Van Ness, also identified as Leanna Lehman Van Ness, is Lukas Van Ness’s mother. She is a registered nurse and has publicly discussed her experiences raising four children in an athletic household.

In a September/October 2023 feature for Quintessential Barrington, Leanna explained that she encouraged Lukas to join his high school football team so he could meet new people, make friends and enjoy a broader high school experience.

Before concentrating on football, Lukas had devoted considerable time to ice hockey. His mother’s encouragement helped him explore new athletic opportunities.

Leanna also shared the parenting values that she and Jason emphasized while raising their children.

She explained that their family followed a philosophy centered on giving maximum effort, whether in academics, sports or personal relationships.

Leanna also emphasized the importance of allowing children to enjoy their free time rather than constantly pressuring them to practice sports.

According to her account, the Van Ness household values open communication, affection, humor and mutual encouragement.

Her reflections provide insight into the supportive environment in which Lukas and his siblings grew up.

Lukas Van Ness’s Siblings: Meet Hanna, Ella and Devan Van Ness

Lukas Van Ness has three siblings: two sisters, Hanna and Ella Van Ness, and one younger brother, Devan Van Ness.

Their identities are documented in family profiles and the University of Iowa’s official football biography of Devan Van Ness, which confirms that Jason and Leanna are the parents of four children.

Like Lukas, his siblings grew up in an environment that encouraged education, athletic participation and personal development.

Lukas Van Ness’s Older Sister: Hanna Van Ness

Hanna Van Ness is Lukas Van Ness’s older sister. She attended the University of Iowa, where she studied business analytics and information systems at the Tippie College of Business.

According to published family profiles, Hanna graduated from Iowa in 2022 and subsequently pursued a career in technology and business.

She has been associated professionally with Hewlett Packard Enterprise and previously gained experience through opportunities involving organizations such as the Chicago Blackhawks and Collins Aerospace.

Hanna received unexpected public attention during the 2023 NFL Draft when television footage showed her sitting near Lukas as the family celebrated his selection.

Some viewers mistakenly assumed she was his girlfriend, leading to confusion on social media.

However, Hanna is Lukas Van Ness’s sister, while Frankie Kmet is his publicly identified romantic partner.

Lukas Van Ness’s Younger Sister: Ella Van Ness

Ella Van Ness is Lukas Van Ness’s younger sister. She grew up in Barrington, Illinois, and attended Barrington High School, graduating in 2022.

Like her brothers, Ella participated in sports during her school years, including soccer.

Published family profiles indicate that she later attended the University of Iowa, continuing the family’s connection to the university.

Although Ella has occasionally appeared in family photographs and celebrations surrounding Lukas’s career, she has generally maintained a private public profile.

Detailed information about her present professional activities and personal relationships is not widely documented in reliable sources.

Lukas Van Ness’s Younger Brother: Devan Van Ness

Devan Van Ness is Lukas Van Ness’s younger brother and a college football player who followed a similar athletic path.

Born on September 28, 2005, Devan grew up in Barrington, Illinois, and attended Barrington High School, where he played football, lacrosse and wrestling.

During his senior football season, he became one of the most productive defensive players in Illinois, recording 78 tackles, 30 tackles for loss and 16 sacks.

His performances helped Barrington reach the state semifinals, and he received several individual honors, including all-state and conference defensive MVP recognition.

Following high school, Devan joined the University of Iowa football program, the same university where Lukas had previously developed into an NFL prospect.

According to Iowa’s official athletics biography, Devan was listed as a freshman linebacker during the 2024 season and received the team’s special teams leadership recognition.

He also chose to study business, reflecting another academic connection between the brothers.

Devan’s decision to attend Iowa demonstrated the continued importance of the Hawkeyes football program to the Van Ness family.

Lukas Van Ness’s Grandfather and Military Family Background

In addition to his parents and siblings, Lukas Van Ness comes from a family with a history of military service.

According to an official Green Bay Packers announcement published on November 1, 2024, several members of his family served in the United States military.

His grandfather served in the U.S. Army for 27 years and reached the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Growing up with this family background helped Van Ness develop an appreciation for military service and the sacrifices made by service members and their relatives.

In recognition of his involvement with the military community, the Green Bay Packers nominated him for the NFL’s 2024 Salute to Service Award.

Van Ness participated in initiatives supporting veterans and active-duty military personnel, including community events, letters of encouragement and activities honoring fallen service members.

His involvement demonstrated how family traditions and values influenced his activities beyond professional football.

Lukas Van Ness’s Early Life and Family Background

Lukas Van Ness was born on July 6, 2001, in Barrington, Illinois, United States. He grew up in a family that encouraged participation in sports while emphasizing education and responsibility.

During childhood, ice hockey was his favorite sport. He began skating at approximately three years old and eventually played as a defenseman.

His physical strength and athletic ability also made him a promising football player.

Van Ness attended Barrington High School, where he played both football and ice hockey. As a senior, he recorded 67 tackles, 17 quarterback pressures and five sacks.

His performances attracted attention from college recruiters, and he committed to the University of Iowa.

During his college career, Van Ness developed into a powerful defensive lineman, earning recognition for his versatility, strength and pass-rushing ability.

He recorded 13.5 sacks over two playing seasons at Iowa and became one of the most highly regarded defensive prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Green Bay Packers selected him with the 13th overall pick, marking the beginning of his professional football career.

How Lukas Van Ness’s Family Supported His NFL Career

Family support has been an important part of Lukas Van Ness’s journey to the NFL.

His father contributed knowledge about physical conditioning and injury management, while his mother encouraged him to develop friendships, explore different sports and maintain balance in his life.

His siblings also participated in sports, creating a household in which athletic development was a familiar part of everyday life.

Before declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft, Van Ness discussed his future with his parents and close relatives after Iowa’s Music City Bowl appearance.

According to a feature published by the Green Bay Packers in June 2023, those family conversations helped him make the decision to leave college football and pursue the NFL.

His family celebrated together when Green Bay selected him in April 2023, reflecting the importance of that achievement to everyone who had supported his development.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lukas Van Ness’s Family

Who are Lukas Van Ness’s parents?

Lukas Van Ness’s parents are Jason Van Ness and Leanna Van Ness. His father is a chiropractor, while his mother is a registered nurse.

Who is Lukas Van Ness’s girlfriend?

Lukas Van Ness’s girlfriend is Frankie Kmet, the younger sister of Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet. Their relationship was publicly documented as recently as January 2026.

How long have Lukas Van Ness and Frankie Kmet been dating?

The couple reportedly began dating in 2022 after meeting at the University of Iowa. Reports published in January 2026 described their relationship as approaching four years.

Is Lukas Van Ness married?

As of now, there is no reliable public confirmation that Lukas Van Ness is married or has a wife.

Does Lukas Van Ness have children?

There is no publicly verified information confirming that Lukas Van Ness has children.

How many siblings does Lukas Van Ness have?

Lukas Van Ness has three siblings: two sisters named Hanna and Ella Van Ness, and a younger brother named Devan Van Ness.

Who is Lukas Van Ness’s brother?

His younger brother is Devan Van Ness, who followed him to the University of Iowa football program after playing defensive football at Barrington High School.

Is Hanna Van Ness Lukas Van Ness’s girlfriend?

No. Hanna Van Ness is Lukas’s older sister. Some television viewers mistakenly identified her as his girlfriend during the 2023 NFL Draft celebrations.

Is Lukas Van Ness related to Cole Kmet?

Lukas Van Ness is not publicly identified as a biological relative of Cole Kmet. However, he has been dating Cole’s younger sister, Frankie Kmet, creating a personal connection between the two NFL players.

How old is Lukas Van Ness?

Lukas Van Ness was born on July 6, 2001, making him 25 years old in 2026.

Where is Lukas Van Ness from?

Lukas Van Ness is from Barrington, Illinois, United States. He attended Barrington High School before playing college football at the University of Iowa.