Ben VanSumeren back to the Portal

Submitted by BleedinBlue on March 14th, 2022 at 3:03 PM

https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-lb-ben-vansumeren-180126898.html

Have not seen it posted anywhere else...caution.... looks like it was first reported by Rainer Sabin. Leaving MSU, wonder if his brother sticks around. Come on down Alex!

Watching From Afar

March 14th, 2022 at 3:20 PM ^

Sucks that he was there long enough for his brother to follow him.

Was a good athlete, but had to switch positions and didn't seem like a modern LB that could go sideline to sideline.

alum96

March 15th, 2022 at 2:58 PM ^

Tucker is processing a fourth of the roster per year.  It works until it doesn't.  Will be curious the effect on HS recruiting in 3 years - for now it's all good due to Walker.  Obviously competition happens at every program and if you don't work out you don't but Mel processed a few true freshman I believe and a bunch of sophomores as well. 

Jimmyisgod

March 14th, 2022 at 3:27 PM ^

He was 6th on their depth chart apparently, and they only play 2 LBs at a time, so he was not going to play.  MSU writers saying the staff and he left things on good terms.  

I thought MSU's LBs were decent last year, but they went out and got 2 from the portal, 2 faster guys, so maybe speed was the issue they saw.

NFG

March 14th, 2022 at 3:39 PM ^

I mean this objectively b/c I grew up next to his Grandpa and I know his dad a bit, so with that I'll say that BVS looked really out of place at LB and very slow. Always reacting seconds too late. It wasn't Michigan's fault that he wasn't getting PT, and it isn't MSU's. He's just not a B1G linebacker.

Jmer

March 14th, 2022 at 3:54 PM ^

I wouldn't mind brining the FB position back for the 3rd and 4th and short Fb dives we used to run with the hammering panda and Ben Mason.

Ben could fill in there.

michengin87

March 14th, 2022 at 5:25 PM ^

I'm not sure it's still a thing. I looked on the NCAA website and the last year that they posted was for 2018-2019.  In that year, Northwestern was first in the Big Ten with a score of 995.  UM was tied for fifth with Minnesota at 980.  MSU was last with a score of 952.  Of course, 930 is the minimum to stay out of trouble. 

SI had an article a while ago that says the NCAA will loosen it up due to new transfer rules, so Mel's probably not worried.

https://www.si.com/college/2020/10/16/ncaa-transfer-legislation-academic-progress-rate

 

 

bronxblue

March 14th, 2022 at 6:16 PM ^

I assume Tucker held off on telling him he's down the depths chart until his brother had signed.

I get wanting to play with your brother but after barely seeing the field on a mediocre MSU defense last year this felt inevitable.

 

tybert

March 14th, 2022 at 10:45 PM ^

Ben is clearly the kind of guy we used to joke about in the 1980s as being "a legend in his own MIND" - good riddance from B1G football. Head to EMU and have your bro transfer to Indy

alum96

March 15th, 2022 at 2:55 PM ^

Once Mel suckered him in to get his lil bro, Mel went to the portal and got 2 new starters.  Ben served his purpose for Mel and was discarded.  Reality.