Michigan State linebacker Ben VanSumeren puts on explosive Pro Day performance
Michigan State senior linebacker Ben VanSumeren had himself a monster day on Wednesday when the Spartans hosted NFL scouts for the program’s annual Pro Day.
A Bay City native who began his career in Ann Arbor before spending the last two years in East Lansing, VanSumeren posted impressive numbers across the board in what could be a crucial performance for his draft stock ahead of next month’s NFL Draft. Had he put up the numbers at the Scouting Combine that he did inside the Duffy Daugherty Football Building on Wednesday, it would have been the best day by any linebacker in attendance.
VanSumeren’s 42.5-inch vertical would have been the best by any of the participating linebackers.
His 10-foot-11 broad jump would have been the best by any of the participating linebackers.
His 29 reps of 225 on the bench press would have tied for the best by any of the participating linebackers.
And his 4.4-second 40-yard dash would have been the 2nd-fastest by any of the participating linebackers
“Ben’s a freak, we all knew that,” wideout Jayden Reed said, per MLive.com’s Matt Wenzel.
@benvansumeren just put up a killer performance at the @michiganstateu pro day. Big time numbers. Proud of you, Ben. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/m8BQWGnQCR
— IHC Sports (@IHCSports) March 15, 2023
A 6-foot-1 linebacker, VanSumeren played in the East-West Shrine Bowl last month, where he posted a game-best 7 tackles and a sack. It was in keeping with what he did for the Spartans last fall, when he posted 81 tackles to rank 3rd on the team.
VanSumeren is looking to hear his name called when the NFL Draft kicks off later next month. The opening round begins on April 27, with Rounds 2 and 3 following on April 28 and the rest of the draft concluding on April 29.