Ben VanSumeren updates his progress to full-time fullback

Ben VanSumeren updates his progress to full-time fullback originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Ben VanSumeren still gets to share a practice field with his linebacker buddies, the ones he became close with over the last couple of years.

They're just in different colored jerseys these days.

It's funny, man," VanSumeren said. It's funny because we talk so much even after practice. We pull up the film from 1-on-1s or from team periods. It's funny.

I still love those guys, the linebacker room. I'm just not with them all day like I was before. But it's competitive. It's always going to be like that. Probably more competitive because I came from the room. They're all great teammates. It makes it fun."

After beginning to play a bit on offense last season, the 25-year-old VanSumeren has transitioned from linebacker to full-time fullback this offseason. And, so far, he's loving it.

The Eagles began using VanSumeren on offense last year before a knee injury in practice ended his season in November. Just after the Super Bowl, the Eagles had a conversation with VanSumeren to tell him he was going to be a fullback going forward. He even changed his number from 57 to 43.

Whatever I can do to help the team win is obviously most important," VanSumeren said. And I want to be the best at something. If it's linebacker, then I want to play full-time linebacker. If it's fullback, then I want to play full-time fullback. I was told I'm playing fullback."

The Eagles first signed VanSumeren as an undrafted rookie out of Michigan State in 2023. He worked his way up from the practice squad and began to show his ability as a special teams standout. Last season, VanSumeren made the 53-man roster as a linebacker but eventually saw some action on offense, getting 22 snaps as a fullback.

Even after VanSumeren's injury, the Eagles brought in veteran Khari Blasingame to fill his role, a sign that they were committed to having a fullback on the roster going forward. That hasn't changed with a new offensive coordinator in Kevin Patullo.

It's just another thing we can do," Patullo said. So, the more you can stress the defense, the better you are. And we've done a little bit of it and we'll just kind of continue to expand upon that package and see where we can take it because Ben is a really good athlete. I don't think people realize how good of an athlete he is. So, it's been fun to have him out there right now."

Because the Eagles informed VanSumeren early enough that he would be a fullback in 2025, he began to change his body for his new position. While VanSumeren is listed at 231 pounds, he said on Tuesday that he's up to 244.

As he rehabbed his injured knee, VanSumeren didn't eat red meat or dairy but he says that's pretty much all I eat now" to pack on the pounds. The chefs at the NovaCare Complex have helped him keep his weight up too.

I went to the chefs and I told them I need a couple more meals," VanSumeren said.

While Blasingame last season joined the Eagles' tight end room, VanSumeren is with the running backs. His position coach is running backs coach Jemal Singleton, who, according to VanSumeren, has some experience with fullbacks both in the NFL and from his time at Air Force.

VanSumeren said Singleton has been a great resource. But it also helps to talk with Saquon Barkley and the other running backs to make sure he has good chemistry with them.

When you put a hat on a hat," VanSumeren said. Saquon makes things happen."

While the lead-blocking element of being a fullback is always going to be the priority, VanSumeren said his goal is to improve as a ball-carrier and a receiver . He wants to become a more complete player at his position. During this training camp, we have seen a few handoffs and passes go his way.

Singleton hasn't asked VanSumeren to watch tape of any specific fullbacks and VanSumeren said that's likely because a fullback's responsibilities differ from offense to offense. But he did grow up watching guys like James Develin and Vonta Leach.

And one of VanSumeren's best friends from his time at Michigan, Ben Mason, played fullback for the Wolverines and in the NFL. Mason is now an assistant coach at Ithaca College, so he's a resource for VanSumeren too.

Even though VanSumeren has traded in his white practice jersey for a green one this summer, he still plays the game the same way. In fact, he likes fullback for the same reason he liked linebacker.

It's just the physicality that really brought me to football in the first place," he said. I played baseball and multiple sports growing up and ultimately, I played football for the physicality of it."