Michigan Football: 5 players impressing Jim Harbaugh this spring

Ben VanSumeren finding a home at running back

While there has been a lot of talk about fullback/defensive lineman Ben Mason, another player that has switched positions and is garnering recognition from Harbaugh is Ben VanSumeren.

VanSumeren is a 6-foot-2, 235-pound, redshirt freshman that went from being a fullback/tight end to running back. With some of the depth issues, such as Chris Evans academic struggles or the injury to Zach Charbonnet, Michigan football needed backs and VanSumeren is stepping up.

“Ben VanSumeren is showing great speed at running back,” Harbaugh said on his podcast. “Along with a cutting ability, we didn’t know he had. He can also finish with a soft shoulder and come out strong on the other end.”

Christian Turner has obviously moved the top of the depth chart at running back, but after him, it’s a crapshoot with Tru Wilson, Hassan Haskins, VanSumeren and Lucas Andrighetto, another back that earned praise from the head coach last week.

VanSumeren can contribute in a number of ways as a running back, both blocking, running and receiving, with his background at tight end. He could also help fill the void left by Mason if the fullback moves to defense full time, which is possible hearing about his success.

It might seem like the speed-in-space offense doesn’t have room for guys like VanSumeren. Yet, with his versatility and underrated skill set, he’s the kind of guy that Gattis should be able to utilize.

If you want to hear the full podcast, here is the link as Harbaugh mentioned a bunch of players and touched on some other topics as well.