Ben VanSumeren

Last updated

Ben VanSumeren
Ben VanSumeren American Football Linebacker.jpg
No. 57 – Philadelphia Eagles
Position: Linebacker / Fullback
Personal information
Born: (2000-05-05) May 5, 2000 (age 24)
Bay City, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:231 lb (105 kg)
Career information
High school: Garber (MI)
College: Michigan (2018–2020)
Michigan State (2021–2022)
Undrafted: 2023
Career history
Roster status:Injured reserve
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Total tackles:16
Receptions:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Ben VanSumeren (born May 5, 2000) is an American professional football linebacker and fullback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan and Michigan State.

Contents

Early life

VanSumeren was born on May 5, 2000, and grew up in Bay City, Michigan. [1] By age six, he declared that he was going to be a professional football player. [2] He attended Garber High School in Essexville, playing at different points linebacker, defensive lineman, quarterback, running back and wide receiver when needed. [2] VanSumeren played best at receiver, leading Bay County in receiving for three years, including a senior campaign that saw him post a regular season state record 81 receptions for 1,259 yards and 13 touchdowns, being named by Associated Press the division player of the year. [2] Although initially committing to Iowa, he flipped to Michigan after receiving a late offer from them. [3]

College career

Recruited to play fullback, VanSumeren appeared in four games for Michigan as a true freshman in 2018, preserving his redshirt status. [4] He moved to running back in 2019, playing five games with five rushes for 20 yards and one touchdown. [4] He moved to linebacker in 2020, playing six games but only posting seven tackles. [5] Due to his limited playing time, he transferred to the rival Michigan State Spartans. [5]

In his first season at Michigan State, VanSumeren played in all 13 games, but only managed to make 12 tackles. [5] He initially entered the transfer portal in 2022, but then opted to return to the Spartans. [6] In his final year, he saw his first significant playing time, starting 10 of 11 games and making 81 tackles with two sacks and two pass breakups. [6] Although VanSumeren had one year of eligibility left, he opted to accept an invitation to the East–West Shrine Bowl and declared for the NFL draft. [6]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m)		231 lb
(105 kg)		31 in
(0.79 m)		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		4.45 s1.52 s2.53 s4.46 s7.10 s42.5 in
(1.08 m)		10 ft 11 in
(3.33 m)		29 reps
All values from Pro Day [7]

Despite being projected by several sources as a pick in the 2023 NFL draft, VanSumeren went unselected; afterwards, he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent, being given a contract that included $130,000 guaranteed. [8] [9] [10] He was waived on August 29, and re-signed to the practice squad. [11] [12] On November 5, VanSumeren was called up from the practice squad for a game against the Dallas Cowboys, and appeared on 10 special teams snaps. He was signed to the active roster on November 30. [13] On December 25, VanSumeren recorded six tackles while playing 36 defensive snaps in a 33-25 victory over the New York Giants. [14]

VanSumeren played in 11 games (one start) for Philadelphia in 2024, logging 3 combined tackles and 1 offensive reception for no gain. [15] On November 29, 2024, VanSumeren suffered a season–ending knee injury during practice. [16]

Related Research Articles

Michael Labinjo was a Canadian professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans. He played professionally for the Calgary Stampeders, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Graham</span> American football player (born 1988)

Brandon Lee Graham is an American professional football defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Eagles in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft with the thirteenth selection in the draft and the first from the Big Ten Conference. He was an All-American college football player at the University of Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Brown</span> American football player (born 1989)

Zachary Vinzale Brown is an American former professional football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft. He has also played for the Buffalo Bills, where he made the Pro Bowl, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, and Arizona Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Van Noy</span> American football player (born 1991)

Kyle Van Noy is an American professional football linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Van Noy played college football at BYU. He was selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, with whom he spent his first three seasons. Van Noy played his next four seasons for the New England Patriots, where he won Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl LIII. Following a year as a member of the Miami Dolphins, he rejoined New England in 2021. Van Noy signed with the Los Angeles Chargers the following season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Singleton (linebacker)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1993)

Alex Reed Singleton is an American professional football linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Montana State and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks after the 2015 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, Calgary Stampeders, and Philadelphia Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. J. Edwards</span> American football player (born 1996)

T. J. Edwards is an American professional football linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Wisconsin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haason Reddick</span> American football player (born 1994)

Haason Samir Reddick is an American professional football linebacker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Temple, and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. He also played for the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devin Bush Jr.</span> American football player (born 1998)

Devin Marquese Bush Jr. is an American professional football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, twice earning All-American honors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leighton Vander Esch</span> American football player (born 1996)

Leighton Vander Esch is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Boise State Broncos, and was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. He spent six seasons with the team, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his rookie season before neck injuries prematurely ended his playing career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Willekes</span> American football player (born 1997)

Kenny Willekes is an American professional football defensive end for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Michigan State, and was three times named to the All-Big Ten team. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2020 NFL draft.

Josiah Scott is an American professional football cornerback. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raequan Williams</span> American football player (born 1997)

Raequan Williams is an American professional football defensive end. He played college football at Michigan State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Werner</span> American football player (born 1999)

Pete Werner is an American professional football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State and was drafted by the Saints in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Bachie</span> American football player (born 1998)

Joe Bachie is an American professional football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan State. He has previously played in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connor Heyward</span> American football player (born 1999)

Connor Heyward is an American professional football tight end and fullback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan State. Heyward is the son of Pro Bowl NFL player Craig Heyward and the younger brother of All-Pro NFL player Cameron Heyward.

James Houston IV is an American professional football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida before transferring to Jackson State.

Jacoby "Coby" Tyrion Windmon is an American professional football linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UNLV and Michigan State.

Bryce Baringer is an American professional football punter for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and Michigan State.

Kendell Brooks is an American professional football safety for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Greenville and Michigan State and was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Samac</span> American football player (born 2001)

Nicholas Samac is an American professional football center for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans.

References

  1. ↑ "Ben VanSumeren". Michigan State Spartans.
  2. 1 2 3 Thompson, Lee (April 26, 2023). "When 6-year-old Ben VanSumeren said he was NFL-bound, it was more than a dream". MLive.com .
  3. ↑ Thompson, Lee (December 20, 2017). "Meet Ben VanSumeren, Michigan football's better-late-than-never signee". MLive.com .
  4. 1 2 Sang, Orion (October 2, 2020). "VanSumeren finding role on the defensive side". Detroit Free Press . p. B5 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  5. 1 2 3 Katz, Jason (April 20, 2023). "Ben VanSumeren, LB, Michigan State | NFL Draft Scouting Report". Pro Football Network.
  6. 1 2 3 Wenzel, Matt (March 28, 2023). "Ben VanSumeren stuck with Michigan State and it pays off with shot at NFL". MLive.com .
  7. ↑ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Ben VanSumeren College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  8. ↑ Mulcrone, Aeden (March 21, 2023). "Michigan State LB Ben VanSumeren wows on-lookers at Spartans' Pro Day". Sports Illustrated .
  9. ↑ Wenzel, Matt (April 20, 2023). "NFL analyst guarantees Michigan State LB Ben VanSumeren will be drafted". MLive.com .
  10. ↑ Erby, Glenn (May 2, 2023). "Eagles' UDFA deal with Michigan State linebacker Ben VanSumeren is for $130K guaranteed". USA Today .
  11. ↑ Spadaro, Dave; McPherson, Chris (August 29, 2023). "Eagles announce initial 53-man roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  12. ↑ Boyle, Owen (August 30, 2023). "Eagles announce practice squad". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  13. ↑ Erby, Glenn (November 30, 2023). "Eagles announce 4 roster moves ahead of Week 13 matchup vs. 49ers". Eagles Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  14. ↑ "New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles - December 25th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Ben VanSumeren 2024 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  16. ↑ Williams, Charean (November 29, 2024). "Report: Ben VanSumeren out for season after injuring his knee Friday". NBC Sports. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.