RUMOR: Ben VanSumeren to Transfer
As title states, Chris Balas from the Wolverine is reporting from "a few sources" that "senior linebacker Ben VanSumeren is likely to enter the portal (if he hasn't already begun the process)"
This would have implications beyond next year's football team, as Ben's brother Alex is a top 10 player in the state of MI and the highest rated commit in UM's 2022 class
Paywalled Link - https://michigan.rivals.com/news/michigan-wolverines-football-itf-extra-a-portal-move-with-consequences-
ROB and MODS - please delete if inappropriate
February 11th, 2021 at 2:29 PM ^
Isn't that the guy with the 42" vertical?
February 11th, 2021 at 3:03 PM ^
No kidding. I got my hopes up for a new Jumpman logo. What the hell?! At least I still have my Freddy Canteen jersey.
February 11th, 2021 at 3:18 PM ^
The most ironic thing is that he just cleared the portal which is at 41”.
February 11th, 2021 at 4:24 PM ^
Does he do the Fosbury Flop?
February 12th, 2021 at 12:36 AM ^
I wonder how many hits Google got this evening on "Fosbury Flop".
February 11th, 2021 at 5:05 PM ^
You've heard the term "pump and dump"?
Nevertheless, best to Ben!
February 11th, 2021 at 2:30 PM ^
This would have implications beyond next year's football team, as Ben's brother Alex is a top 10 player in the state of MI and the highest rated commit in UM's 2022 class
I don't think that's necessarily the case. Folks tend to transfer to gain more playing time. So long as it's not the "unhappy player treatment" type of transfer, it shouldn't be a problem for younger brother. BVS probably just wants to play more. His brother is a higher rated recruit than Ben was so it's more likely he's also more talented at his position and hence has a higher likelihood of playing.
February 11th, 2021 at 2:44 PM ^
Yeah, a guy ranked outside the top-600 nationally overall as an athlete is likely going to have some trouble finding the field at UM, even though he absolutely did get some run across both lines during his time at UM. Assuming this is a mutual parting of ways that will lead to BVS getting a chance to play more elsewhere, I doubt his brother (a top-247 player nationally) would hold it against UM.
February 11th, 2021 at 3:06 PM ^
Unfortunately, if you look at some of the players playing late in the year last season, outside the top 600 was not unique at all...
February 11th, 2021 at 3:39 PM ^
Sure, with a massive number of injuries you're going to wind up likely going down your depth chart a bit. But guys like BVS have floated between RB, FB, I think LB for a spell, etc. It can be hard to get a plus athlete on the field in a position to contribute if they don't slot into a specific spot naturally.
I think he's got the biggest upside as an H-Back-type guy, but at UM he's going to be behind a lot of guys on the depth chart and the offense isn't really going to highlight that spot. But go to a smaller team and maybe he splits carries in the backfield and can carve out a role.
February 11th, 2021 at 2:57 PM ^
I hope you're right on this MGS, and I agree your rationale is strong. I still find it somewhat concerning though because a). we aren't sure if BVS feels he was treated or managed unfairly, and b). we don't know how significant Ben's presence on campus impacted Alex's decision to firmly commit early.
All this is to say, if Ben does transfer, any ripple effect it would have for AVS is pretty much out of the coaches control. I didn't get the impression Ben was unhappy with his role on the team as a sophomore, so it kind of is what it is.
I wish Ben the best of luck. I'd love for him to stay because I think he possess pretty rare athleticism for a guy his size and could be an impactful player on defense. But understand he has to do what he feels is best for his football career.
February 11th, 2021 at 4:58 PM ^
I still find it somewhat concerning though because a). we aren't sure if BVS feels he was treated or managed unfairly, and b). we don't know how significant Ben's presence on campus impacted Alex's decision to firmly commit early.
Totally agreed which is why my response was "not necessarily" as opposed to "no". We don't know why. It's not reason for concern yet.
February 11th, 2021 at 2:58 PM ^
Does BVS get his degree? If he already has a Michigan degree, I don't see this as a huge problem.
February 11th, 2021 at 4:28 PM ^
Sam said last week on his show that there was over 1000 players in the portal. Some of these kids are going to be watching games on TV like the rest of us this fall.
February 11th, 2021 at 7:20 PM ^
Highly doubt that! You forget that there are lower levels of CFB that these kids can transfer to.
February 11th, 2021 at 7:00 PM ^
True, Ben will be long gone before his brother even enrolls ,transferring or not
February 11th, 2021 at 2:32 PM ^
We may never know why. Just so easy to transfer. If he was beat out...may he find greener pastures. If he is unhappy for whatever reason.....may he find greener pastures. Hope he gets a Jump on his next destination!
February 11th, 2021 at 3:37 PM ^
Yea, I see you there....
February 11th, 2021 at 2:37 PM ^
I hope his brother stays. Because of the implications......
February 11th, 2021 at 2:41 PM ^
He won't say no
Because of the implication
February 11th, 2021 at 2:38 PM ^
If he’s a senior he wouldn’t be playing alongside his brother anyway, so as long as he isn’t leaving for anything other than playing time then it should be ok.
edit: I looked it up and he’s a redshirt soph so he could presumably play alongside his brother if he was a fifth year senior.
February 11th, 2021 at 2:42 PM ^
Senior? Seems like he was an incoming freshman just last year. Time flies.
February 11th, 2021 at 2:43 PM ^
If Alex leaves, we will just go recruit in Tennessee (our new pipeline, replacing Massachusetts).
February 11th, 2021 at 2:45 PM ^
Jumping ship, eh?
I'll show myself...
February 11th, 2021 at 2:46 PM ^
Can we start a rumor that crab people are in control in Columbus?
February 11th, 2021 at 2:49 PM ^
Confirm. I read it on the internet. Somewhere totally credible. Anyone with a Neutral Milk Hotel avatar is completely trustworthy too.
February 11th, 2021 at 2:50 PM ^
Taste like crab
Talk like people
February 11th, 2021 at 2:53 PM ^
Craaaaab peeeeeople
February 11th, 2021 at 6:18 PM ^
Crabs are definitely controlling the people in Columbus.
February 11th, 2021 at 2:48 PM ^
13th transfer. Although, some were never going to play here.
February 11th, 2021 at 3:29 PM ^
What are you hearing umbig11? New DC tell him to look for a new school as he won't see the field here?
Just curious, thanks.
February 11th, 2021 at 3:43 PM ^
13 sounds like alot until you consider the thousands who never even enrolled at Michigan and have played elsewhere the last six years. That number is eye popping.
February 11th, 2021 at 7:06 PM ^
That is just the 2021 transfer number to date...
February 12th, 2021 at 9:48 AM ^
My point is context. MSU has 16, for context, transferring. That's a year after coaching change occurred.
February 11th, 2021 at 5:40 PM ^
I thought he looked decent this year. Unless I'm thinking of Newburg. The kid with the pony tail who lined up on the edge.
February 11th, 2021 at 2:56 PM ^
Best of luck to the young man, either way.
February 11th, 2021 at 3:00 PM ^
PANIC
February 11th, 2021 at 3:32 PM ^
At the Disco
February 11th, 2021 at 3:28 PM ^
Perhaps he's hitting the portal because Henry To'o To'o is about to transfer in from Tennessee! Ok, I'll dream on since there are rumors that To'o To'o is headed to Bama instead.
February 11th, 2021 at 3:41 PM ^
Buy on it!
February 11th, 2021 at 3:46 PM ^
Hope he stays and this is wrong. Good luck to him either way.
February 11th, 2021 at 3:59 PM ^
February 11th, 2021 at 4:03 PM ^
I still want Alex V in the class. He looks like an absolute mauler and would cause havoc on every play
February 11th, 2021 at 7:13 PM ^
He just decommited. :(
February 11th, 2021 at 5:01 PM ^
If Ben transfers to a G5 school (especially in the MAC), I'm not worried at all. It'd just clearly be a case of a guy wanting to play more football and recognizing that he'll need to take a step down to find playing time.
If he transfers to another P5 school, that might be a bit of a concern.
February 11th, 2021 at 5:41 PM ^
And soon to be...NOLEN.