If you’re of a Michigan persuasion, it’s a move you just don’t make — go to any other school except that one or the one in Ohio. If you’re a Michigan State fan, you love it. Either way, the Ben VanSumeren transfer from Ann Arbor to go play in East Lansing stirred up quite a whirl of emotions among the college football landscape on Saturday morning.
It’s not unheard of for players to switch from one side of a rivalry to another. Linebacker Edward Warinner, just last year, transferred from MSU to Michigan, with his father being on-staff with the Wolverines. But, it’s not a common happenstance, and like with Justin Boren when he transferred from Michigan to Ohio State after Lloyd Carr stepped down as the head coach, it can turn an attitude of reverence into one of hatred from fanbase to fanbase.
There weren’t a lot of notable media or player reactions when it came to VanSumeren’s transfer, beyond sharing the news, given the sensitivity that comes with embroiling a rivalry. But a current Michigan player weighed in, as did two former players. And a couple of media members also did, going outside of merely sharing the news.
Here’s the short list of reactions, with the most notable coming from the Wolverines player contingent.