NFL Draft Profile: Ben VanSumeren, Linebacker, Michigan State Spartans
In this story:
Ben VanSumeren
Michigan State Spartans
#13
Pos: LB
Ht: 6016
Wt: 237
Hand: 0900
Arm: 3118
Wing: 7668
40: 4.90
DOB: 5/5/2000
Hometown: Essexville, MI
High School: Garber
Eligibility: 2023
One-Liner:
A hyper, stacked backer that provides run support and functional pass coverage.
Evaluation:
Stout frame with good length. Adequate lateral agility to read and shed. A subtle athlete that can turn and run. Hand usage to disengage with linemen. Can match tight ends and running backs when properly leveraged. Solid form tackler, doesn’t miss, and always wraps up. Hips and feet to cover ground as a zone dropper. Gets too wide and will overrun pursuit angles at times. Motion and shifts can take him completely out of the play. Hesitant to turn and run. Vansumeren shows adequate functional athleticism, given his height and frame. He can move well laterally and has enough speed to match and carry certain pass catchers. He can be too hesitant at times and flow away from the run strength when eye candy is deployed via motion, but his athletic profile is analogous to a draftable prospect. With an acceptance to the shrine bowl and athletic testing, his stock could see a considerable rise.
Grade:
4th Round
Background
Transfer linebacker from Michigan joined the program in May 2021. He has played in 28 collegiate career games (15 games at UM from 2018-20; 13 games at MSU in 2021). In 2021 VanSumeren collected 12 tackles (seven solo, five assists) , logged 122 defensive snaps, and 133 special teams plays. In High School VanSumeren was named one of the top overall prospects in the state of Michigan in the class of 2017 by 247Sports (No. 15). Born May 5, 2000, the son of Jeff and Cindy VanSumeren. VanSumeren is majoring in interdisciplinary humanities.
