Hawkeyes offer 2018 LB/TE Ben VanSumeren

[Blair Sanderson]

That's the first new Class of 2018 offer in quite a while.

Ben VanSumeren is a name we talked about over the summer. He was at the satellite camp that Iowa went to in Michigan. At the time, the coaches told him they liked him a lot, but weren't sure if they'd take another TE in this class. Now they are offering him as an OLB I've been told.

A 6-foot-3, 228-pound prospect, VanSumeren committed to Western Michigan early on in the process, but reopened his recruiting when several Power 5 schools including Iowa, Minnesota, and Notre Dame started showing interest. Minnesota, Cincinnati, and Iowa have now offered.

 

[Blair Sanderson]

Nike Opening Results from Cleveland on April 9, 2017

Ben Van Sumeren
6-3, 215 lbs
4.76 forty (laser timed)
4.03 shuttle (5th best at the camp)
40.3" vertical (best at the camp)
127.74 overall rating (best at the camp)

https://www.theopening.com/2017-cleveland-results

Some senior video clips

 

[pharmdfd]

ISU is probably calling him as we speak.

 

[Cougar63]

His JR year highlights are RIDICULOUS. Truck sticks galore.

 

[NevadaHawk]

Ben appears to be a strong candidate for the Hawks. I hope we can land him.

 

[pharmdfd]

ISU is probably calling him as we speak.

Took longer then I thought

 

[David1979]

Like this kid. Hope they land him

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Offers versatility with that body-type. Obviously could handle LB or TE ... but could also develop at other positions too.

 

[nu2u]

40.3" vertical (best at the camp)

That's a pretty ridiculous vertical for a kid with TE/LB size. TE alley-oop passes in the red zone.

 

[Blair Sanderson]

That's a pretty ridiculous vertical for a kid with TE/LB size. TE alley-oop passes in the red zone.

His highlight reel has a bunch of catches like that including a couple one handers.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

One thing I took away from the campus visits, preseason by the guys at brb, was Iowa looked more athletic 1-105. I hope this is the trend we see. I know nothing of this guy or the 2 FB walk ons we just got but I like that we are getting fb/st studs on walk on. I hope this guy is the 2018 "fant.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Siap. Do we know "the number" for this class and how many they are looking to bring in? Tia.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Siap. Do we know "the number" for this class and how many they are looking to bring in? Tia.

What I've seen posted before is that Iowa is looking at adding: an OL, a WR, and a LB
Also, ideally, they'd like to get Waggoner, so they'd happily take a DE. Furthermore, they usually like to take 1 QB in every class. Thus, if they evaluate and find a QB who they like - they'd probably take a QB too.

Thus, given the above considerations, that would put our class in the ball-park of 18 'ships. Of course, if we get hit by some attrition (that the coaches can forecast), that number could drift higher. It is important to recognize that if everything goes according to play, we should be getting Nixon (DT at IWCC) on campus starting in January (for the spring).

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

One thing I took away from the campus visits, preseason by the guys at brb, was Iowa looked more athletic 1-105. I hope this is the trend we see. I know nothing of this guy or the 2 FB walk ons we just got but I like that we are getting fb/st studs on walk on. I hope this guy is the 2018 "fant.

The young man reminds me a bit of guys like Edds, Beyer, and Hesse. Edds was targeted initially at TE but ended up at LEO. Beyer was projected at TE the entire time ... but shares many similar characteristics with VanSumeren. Hesse is similar insofar that he was an ATH coming out of high school ... really competitive kid ... definitely a "winner." While starting off at LB at Iowa ... he eventually grew into a DE for us. As I said ... VanSumeren strikes me as one of those "glue guys" who ends up making a great impact for the team ... you just don't necessarily know where yet.

 

[ichawk24]

ISU is probably calling him as we speak.

I thought ISU reflexively offers every kid with a MAC offer.

 

[pharmdfd]

I thought ISU reflexively offers every kid with a MAC offer.

Technically they offer everyone but also everyone iowa offers they offer the next day.

 

[HawkNole09]

Ben appears to be a strong candidate for the Hawks. I hope we can land him.

Reminds me of AJ Edds. Ben will have to work hard on his agility to be a top tier B1G LB.

 

[nitewing]

Reminds me of AJ Edds. Ben will have to work hard on his agility to be a top tier B1G LB.

looks agile enough to me

 

[Blair Sanderson]

VanSumeren has more senior film up now.

 

[Roy-munson]

VanSumeren has more senior film up now.

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He is visiting Iowa this weekend... do you see a commitment coming soon from him

 

[Blair Sanderson]

Talked to VanSumeren this morning. He's planning to visit Iowa City next Sunday, one week from today.