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So much promise, yet again, unfulfilled in Ann Arbor.
Perhaps it’s another case of a player being shuffled around from position-to-position, lost in a scheme change. Or it could be something else. Whatever it is, Michigan linebacker Ben VanSumeren appears to be on his way out the door.
The Essexville (MI) Garber strongman started at fullback when he got to Ann Arbor in 2018, but the position was close to being eliminated — Ben Mason still got some time at the position, but it was on the decline in Josh Gattis’ offense. So VanSumeren switched to running back, where he got some carries in 2019, but after a fumble in Week 2, he was rarely, if ever seen at the position. In 2020, he switched to linebacker, where he played the SAM role.
It appeared, with Michigan football presumably switching to a 3-4 scheme in 2021 with new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald that VanSumeren could be a pivotal part of the new system as either an inside or outside linebacker. However, he announced on Friday that he’ll seek playing time elsewhere, having entered the NCAA transfer portal.
I have decided to enter the Transfer Portal and begin a new chapter in my life. pic.twitter.com/pwZlhJC3r0
— Ben VanSumeren (@primetimedunkin) February 12, 2021
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The elder VanSumeren’s decision comes less than 24 hours after his younger brother, Alex, a 2022 four-star defensive tackle who was long committed to Michigan football, had announced his plan to reopen his recruitment.
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