Former Michigan LB Ben VanSumeren transferring to Michigan State
Updated Feb 20, 2021;
Posted Feb 20, 2021
Ben VanSumeren (40) looks to the endzone during Michigan s Spring Game at Michigan Stadium Saturday, April 13 2019 in Ann Arbor.MLive.com
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Ben VanSumeren is switching sides in the battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy.
The Michigan redshirt sophomore linebacker who entered the transfer portal on Feb. 12 announced his commitment to Michigan State on Saturday. That’s a position of need for the Spartans, who are thin on linebacker depth.
VanSumeren, an Essexville Garber High School graduate, has three seasons of eligibility remaining and won’t officially become a Spartan until he enrolls. His younger brother, Alex VanSumeren, is a 2022 four-star defensive tackle at Essexville Garber who decommitted from Michigan on Feb. 11 and Michigan State is among the schools recruiting him.
An early projection of Michigan State’s depth chart on defense and special teams
Updated Feb 17, 2021;
Posted Feb 17, 2021
Michigan State safety Xavier Henderson (3) runs to the locker room for halftime of their Big Ten football game against Indiana at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, on Saturday, November 14, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com
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Michigan State’s defense already faced a significant challenge.
The Spartans lost seven starters on that side of the ball – six of them three-year starters – from the 2019 team.
The process of retooling the defense came with additional complications as Mark Dantonio retired after 13 seasons leading the program and Mel Tucker was hired as his replacement. Like Dantonio, Tucker is a former defensive back and secondary coach by trade who worked under Nick Saban.
Recapping Mel Tucker’s first Michigan State recruiting class with hits, misses and top positions
Updated Feb 08, 2021;
Posted Feb 07, 2021
Avon QB Niko Pappas (18) gets sacked by Hoban DB AJ Kirk (1) during first half action at Byers Field in Parma in the game between Archbishop Hoban vs Avon, Div II Semifinals, November 13, 2020.David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
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One recruit lost, another gained.
That was the result for Michigan State coach Mel Tucker on Wednesday, the first day of the traditional signing period for the 2021 class.
Rayshaun Benny, a four-star defensive tackle from Oak Park High School, flipped his commitment from Michigan State and signed with Michigan on Wednesday. Three hours later, Keon Coleman, a three-star wide receiver from Opelousas Catholic School in Louisiana, signed with the Spartans.
How Alabama LB Carson Casteel went from staying close to home to signing with Michigan State
Updated Feb 01, 2021;
Posted Feb 01, 2021
Florence s Carson Casteel (10) recovers Sparkman fumble. Florence vs. Sparkman High School football Thursday Oct. 8, 2020. (Bob Gathany - preps@AL.com)AL.com
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Carson Casteel’s future was set.
The 2021 three-star linebacker from Florence High School in Alabama was committed to Troy and planned on staying in his home state for college.
Then Michigan State called.
“I didn’t know too much about Michigan State,” Casteel said. “I knew that it was a great program and it would be a really cool place to play football but I’d have to get to know the coaches and everything first and, of course, I’d have to get an offer first. It was in the back of my mind the whole time that it would be a great opportunity but everything would have to line up and everything did line up for me.”
5 positions Michigan State could boost with transfer additions
Updated Jan 28, 2021;
Posted Jan 28, 2021
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker looks on in the first quarter of their Big Ten football game against Indiana at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, on Saturday, November 14, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com
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And the Michigan State coach’s aggressive approach already paid off with roster additions.
There were six transfers added to the program as midyear enrollees earlier this month in quarterback Anthony Russo (Temple), offensive lineman Jarrett Horst (Arkansas State), defensive end Drew Jordan (Duke), running back Kenneth Walker III (Wake Forest), safety Kendall Brooks (Division II North Greenville University) and walk-on defensive back Spencer Rowland (Division III Wheaton College). Harold Joiner, a running back transfer from Auburn who committed to the Spartans in December, was not among those who enrolled for the spring semest