Ben Vansumeren: Knee Injury| Stats| College| Net Worth

Introduction

Ben VanSumeren, a versatile athlete turned NFL fullback, has captured attention with his journey from Michigan collegiate fields to the Philadelphia Eagles’ roster. In 2025, an unfortunate knee injury derailed his momentum early in the season. This article dives deep into his injury history, NFL and college stats, career path, and estimated net worth—offering a full panorama of the man behind the pads.

1. Early Life & College Career

• Background & High School
  Born on May 5, 2000, in Bay City, Michigan, Ben VanSumeren displayed athletic promise from childhood. At Garber High School, he played multiple positions—including wide receiver—and set a state record with 81 receptions for 1,259 yards during his senior season. He was honored as division player of the year by the Associated Press.

• College at University of Michigan (2018–2020)
  Recruited as a fullback, he redshirted as a true freshman in 2018, retaining eligibility. The following year, he played five games at running back, tallying five rushes for 20 yards and one touchdown. By 2020, he transitioned to linebacker, appearing in six games and recording seven tackles.

• Transfer to Michigan State (2021–2022)
  Seeking more playing time, VanSumeren moved to Michigan State. In 2021, he played all 13 games, making 12 tackles. His final season saw a breakout: starting 10 of 11 games and posting 81 tackles, two sacks, and two pass breakups. After this strong season, he accepted an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl and declared for the NFL draft Wikipedia.

2. NFL Career & Position Shift

• Undrafted Free Agent & Early Years
  Despite a solid final college year, VanSumeren went undrafted in 2023. The Philadelphia Eagles signed him as an undrafted free agent with $130,000 guaranteed. After spending time on the practice squad, he was elevated for three consecutive weeks starting November 2023 and then officially added to the active roster on November 30. In that season, he played nine games, including a notable performance recording six tackles on defense in a December 25 win over the New York Giants.

• Role Transition: Fullback & Special Teams Ace
  In 2024, the Eagles transitioned VanSumeren back to fullback—a position he originally played in college. That season, he participated in 11 games (starting one), took 22 snaps on offense, and contributed 213 special-teams snaps. He also made 3 special teams tackles and recorded a single reception for no yards.

• Super Bowl LIX Champion
  Despite shifting roles and limited offensive stats, VanSumeren earned a place on the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX-winning roster at the end of the 2024 season.

3. Knee Injury History

• 2024 Season–Ending Knee Injury
  On November 29, 2024, during practice, VanSumeren suffered a season-ending knee injury and was placed on injured reserve.

• 2025 ReSign & Position Designation
  In March 2025, the Eagles re-signed him to a one-year extension worth approximately $1,030,000, officially designating him as a fullback moving forward.

• Opening Kickoff Injury in Season Opener (Sept 4, 2025)
  Disaster struck again. On September 4, 2025, in the Eagles’ season opener against the Cowboys, VanSumeren sustained another knee injury on the very first play—the opening kickoff. He was visibly frustrated, even tossing his helmet before being carted off. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

• Implications
  The injury came at a critical moment—he had begun to settle into his fullback role and was expected to contribute significantly on special teams and offense. His absence forced the Eagles to shuffle their coverage units and adapt their offensive blocking strategies.

4. Career Stats at a Glance

5. Net Worth & Contract Details

• 2025 Contract and Salary
  According to official salary data, VanSumeren signed a one-year deal in 2025 worth approximately $1,055,000, including a base salary of $1,030,000 plus a roster bonus of $25,000. The average annual value (APY) also stands at $1,055,000.

• 2024 Earnings & Estimated Net Worth
  In 2024, he earned a base salary of $915,000. Estimated career earnings by that point were around $1,165,002, and his net worth was reported at the same figure—reflecting cumulative income and guaranteed bonuses.

• Overall Career Earnings
  Financial tracking shows VanSumeren’s career earnings across 2023–2025 approaching around $1.4 million, with potential contract value and full payout projections hitting $2.08 million.

Conclusion

Ben VanSumeren’s story is one of resilience and adaptability. From high school accolades, position shifts in college, undrafted beginnings in the NFL, to a Super Bowl-winning roster spot, he has consistently carved out a role—even when adversity struck through injuries. His 2025 knee injury raises questions about his short-term outlook, yet his financial trajectory reflects recognition of his contributions on and off the field.