Michigan Football: Fallout from Alex VanSumeren decommitment
Michigan football had a decommitment from its 2022 class in four-star defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren and here’s a look at the fallout.
Recruiting is always filled with ups and downs and on Thursday, the Michigan football program experienced a gut punch as one of its top 2022 recruits decommitted.
The recruit in question is four-star defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren, who was actually the Wolverines first commitment in the 2022 class. But now, he’s re-opened his recruitment and is the second Michigan football recruit to do so in the past month.
Four-star linebacker Tyler Martin re-opened his recruitment but that was viewed as mostly due to his connection to former defensive coordinator Don Brown.
With VanSumeren, there really wasn’t any indication until he announced his decision on Twitter to re-open his recruitment.
Although I will always be grateful for the opportunity, I am no longer committed to the University of Michigan. My recruitment is open. #thegrindneverstops @AllenTrieu @JoshHelmholdt @TomVH
— Alex VanSumeren (@alexvansumeren) February 12, 2021
“Although I will always be grateful for the opportunity, I am no longer committed to the University of Michigan,” he said. “My recruitment is open.”
Earlier in the day, Chris Balas of The Wolverine tweeted about a potential move in the portal that could have an impact and then he later confirmed through another tweet that the player being talked about is Ben VanSumeren, who is likely going to the portal.
Michigan football ITF EXTRA: A potential portal move that could sting ... #GoBlue https://t.co/Soi0urBfRc
— Chris Balas (@Balas_Wolverine) February 11, 2021
This morning's ITF EXTRA has been confirmed - Alex VanSumeren has de-committed from Michigan. #GoBlue https://t.co/56MDDOMgx3
— Chris Balas (@Balas_Wolverine) February 12, 2021
Balas wrote earlier today, “A Michigan senior might be entering the transfer portal, and the sting could go beyond his departure.”
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The sting seems to be VanSumeren who has gotten offers from SEC schools such as Alabama and Arkansas, as well as a number of others like Penn State.
VanSumeren is the No. 4 player in the state of Michigan and the No. 16 defensive tackle recruit is 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, which is exactly the kind of defensive tackle the Wolverines have needed, which is why this hurts so much.
Losing a top-five recruit in the state, just when Michigan had gotten momentum with the addition of Ronald Bellamy to the staff and Rayshaun Benny to the 2021 class, isn’t ideal.
It will be interesting to watch Ben VanSumeren. If he does indeed enter the portal, his destination could play a role in his younger brother’s recruitment.
Or it could be that Alex was already interested in other places and the eventual departure of his brother, who probably isn’t the best fit for the new scheme, just expedited things.