BV #45

Ben VanSumeren

Fullback · Michigan State

A converted linebacker turned lead-blocking fullback, Ben VanSumeren won a Super Bowl ring with Philadelphia before a devastating Week 1 injury cost him all of 2025.

Ben VanSumeren's path to the NFL ran through two different positions and two different Michigan colleges before he carved out a role as a battering-ram fullback. After three seasons with the Eagles, including a Super Bowl championship, he's looking to rebuild momentum after a gruesome injury wiped out his entire 2025 season.

★ Super Bowl champion with the Philadelphia Eagles

★ Two-year letter winner at linebacker for Michigan State

★ Converted from linebacker to fullback at the NFL level

Path to the league

VanSumeren began his college career at Michigan as a fullback before transferring to Michigan State in 2021, where he moved to linebacker full-time and racked up 93 tackles over two seasons as a two-year letter winner. He went undrafted out of Michigan State in 2023 and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, a Michigan native who starred as a two-way athlete at Garber High School in Essexville.

Career highlights

VanSumeren spent three seasons with the Eagles, transitioning from linebacker to fullback in 2024 and becoming a core special-teams and short-yardage contributor. He was part of Philadelphia's Super Bowl-winning roster, earning a championship ring for that title run.

2025 season recap

VanSumeren's 2025 season ended before it really began: he suffered a torn patella tendon while covering the opening kickoff of Philadelphia's season opener against the Cowboys and was placed on injured reserve, missing the entire year. He now looks to return to the field on a one-year deal after signing with a new team.