Ben VanSumeren felt he was back in high school.
After three seasons in Michigan, the linebacker entered the transfer portal on Feb. 12 and had coaches across the country call him.
VanSumeren initially planned to take about a month to choose a new school, but reliving the recruitment process got old quickly, so he made a decision Friday night and announced his commitment to the state of Michigan on Saturday.
“I think I’ve found the best place,” he said. ‘I didn’t think there would be a better fit for me. I think this suits me perfectly. I don’t mess around, I’m ready to go to work and I’ve closed it. “
Indiana, Arizona, West Virginia, TCU, Northwestern, and Missouri were the other schools VanSumeren also considered. Going from corn and blue to green and white isn’t common, although former Michigan state linebacker Edward Warinner was transferred to Michigan last January. VanSumeren said there were no issues welcoming Warinner and doesn’t believe switching sides in the rivalry will be a problem for him, even after growing up a Michigan fan. However, VanSumeren, a graduate of Essexville Garber High School, knows that some will have a different opinion.
“I don’t think it’s strange at all,” he said. “It’s a business decision, it’s what I have to do, it’s the best for me. I know the media want to hype it up to make it what it is with the rivalry. I think that’s fine. I have no problem being the bad guy. “
VanSumeren, a former three-star prospect with a one-time commitment in Iowa, signed on to Michigan’s 2018 recruiting course as a fullback. He appeared in four games as a true freshman while retaining a red shirt and had nine carries for 20 yards and a touchdown in five games the following season.
After two seasons in which VanSumeren said he was used more as an H-back or tight end than a fullback, he switched to linebacker. He had seven tackles this season while playing all six games and starting two as an outside linebacker.
“The change was originally not as much as you think,” said VanSumeren, who played linebacker in high school. “I am a ball player, I have been a ball player. I think I got it pretty quickly. … I think I’m a real linebacker now. My skills are refined and I should have no problems getting it right. “
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh overhauled his staff in the off-season, including firing defensive coordinator Don Brown and replacing him with former Baltimore Ravens assistant Mike Macdonald. VanSumeren decided to enter the portal when the outlook for his external linebacker position changed.
“We’re not really using that this year,” he said of the Michigan defense. “It really took me about a week with the new staff to realize that their only plan is to use me to rush specific downs. … I just thought I’m an everyday guy. I know my worth, I know I could choose a place that will give me the opportunity to eat on any basis and I’m not going to sell myself short. “
After entering the portal, VanSumeren said the state of Michigan, like most schools, reached out within hours. He preferred to stay close to home, but that was not the deciding factor. The goal was to find the right fit and that’s with the Spartans.
“It was really a place where I could achieve all of my goals – play right away, do my thing at linebacker,” said VanSumeren. “I felt like I was an inside linebacker, they will give me the opportunity to do that. And I love the tech staff and I trust those guys. I think the program is popular. “
VanSumeren said he has spoken every day since entering the portal with Michigan State coach Mel Tucker, who has been aggressively pursuing transfers after his first season running the program. Michigan State had six additions to the mid-year transfer in January and VanSumeren is one of three other grants awarded, but the lone linebacker of all and that’s one place the Spartans are lean at.
Senior Antjuan Simmons was the best linebacker on the team, but will not use the extra season to qualify for the NCAA awarding all fall athletes and participating in the NFL draft. Redshirt junior Noah Harvey, who started all seven games this season, and redshirt sophomore Chase Kline, who was the top sub, are the only two linebackers on the team with experience in defense. Michigan State also comes off its first season 4-2-5 under new defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton.
“They see me fit into one of those courtyards,” said VanSumeren. ‘I think I’m an inside linebacker. They watched my movie, they liked it, they think I’m an inside backer. About half of the other schools really saw me as an edge rusher, an outside player, and that wasn’t something I was really interested in. This is a place that will really give me a place to thrive and do what I feel comfortable doing. “
VanSumeren is back home in Bay City, but is still taking classes in Michigan, with the semester scheduled to end in April. He plans to enroll at Michigan State in May and is now focusing on training.
“It’s really just getting my mind in order, getting my body in order,” said VanSumeren. ‘I have to meet the coaches about Zoom and get acclimatized to the script. I’m ready to go in the summer when I’m running. “
VanSumeren, 6 feet-2 and 250 pounds, plans to play at about 245 pounds in the fall. He also believes his speed is being overlooked and pointed to the 85 catches he had as a receiver during his senior year in high school.
“I don’t really like the whole story of a converted fullback, I am not,” said VanSumeren. “I am an athlete. I ran a 4.56 (40-yard dash) at 250 pounds last year in the spring and I’m only getting faster. I plan to run a 4.4 before reaching campus in May. “
VanSumeren was previously set as college teammates with his younger brother Alex VanSumeren, a four-star defensive tackle from 2022 at Essexville Garber. However, Alex had been released from the Wolverines a day before VanSumeren entered the portal. There’s still a chance they can work together in East Lansing, but the Spartans have enough competition to recruit Alex. VanSumeren said his younger brother is in daily contact with Alabama coaches and there are new teams in the mix, including Clemson.
“Really, he’s just going to do his own thing, he’s his own guy,” said VanSumeren. He has to choose the best fit for him. If it is MSU, it is MSU. “
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