The “heartbeat” of the Eagles’ special teams

PHILADELPHIA – On a few occasions during training camp, Nick Sirianni ended practice by calling out two names and having the players play one-on-one in front of the entire team.

It could have been a pass rushing rep or a pass route between receiver and defensive back. At one point, linebacker Ben VanSumeren was allowed to return to his roots as a fullback and face off against undrafted rookie safety Andre Sam' in the passing game.

VanSumeren cocked his shoulder inward before breaking outward, creating significant distance from Sam as her teammates popped out of the floor, watching a route that would have made DeVonta Smith proud. Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett was unable to end the rep with an off-target throw, but that didn't stop VanSumeren's athletic ability from making his jaw drop.

“I’m used to it,” VanSumeren smiled when asked about his route running. “I have it in my body, but I’m a linebacker.”

Except when he's not a LB.

VanSumeren began his college career at Michigan as a fullback after excelling as an RB and receiver in high school at Garber, Michigan High School. He led the county in receiving three times and also ran for over 1,000 yards. He even threw it for 279 yards and four touchdowns as a triple threat.

And the Eagles even used BVS as a fullback for the first time last Sunday against Tampa Bay.

But his primary role right now is what Michael Clay described as the “heartbeat” of his special teams surveillance units.

“Ben had two tackles in punt coverage last game. He’s the heartbeat for us,” said the Eagles’ special teams coordinator.

That's a long way from being an undrafted underdog last season to the point where VanSumeren didn't even make the first cut at 53 last summer.

“He made it to the last day and then got cut,” Clay told the Eagles on SI when discussing VanSumeren’s rise in the organization. “We were able to get him into the training group. Then you see a lot of his practice squad video where he's going up against our guys on the look rush team, kind of punting. Just his movement, it’s hard to find a guy who can run like he can and is physical.”

Athleticism is VanSumeren's calling card. He ran a 4.45 out of Michigan State, weighing 231 pounds, with a vertical jump of 42.5 and a broad jump of nearly 11 feet.

“When he had the opportunity to get in, he jumped in. In the Dallas game here at home (in 2023), he moved it to a new spot and did well there,” Clay said. “Then since he was able to play a few more games, he made his first tackle against Kansas City. That’s the confidence factor I can create in the NFL.”

Athleticism is encouraged by a high soccer IQ and a desire to learn.

“He’s really reached that level,” Clay said. “He meets with (special teams assistant) Tyler Brown every Friday and Saturday and watches six to seven games from the opposing team or good games from around the league. He is a connoisseur of the game. He always asks questions. 'What are we?' What are we doing here? Why are we doing this? It’s always a pleasure when you have a man like that in your special unit.”

From Year 1 to Year 2, VanSumeren developed from a squad hopeful to the “heartbeat” of the special teams. He is currently second on the team with 81 special teams reps working on kickoff return, kickoff coverage, punt return, punt coverage and field goal block.

The next step is linebacker, and don't bet on VanSumeren fighting for a role there down the line if the Eagles continue to struggle at that position.

“The more I watch NFL offenses and sit in the meeting room and get those reps, the quicker I get with all those reads and stuff,” VanSumeren said this summer. “And in terms of development and development, I feel like I do most of the things I do a lot quicker than others.

“I feel like I really get it.”

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