2018 athlete Ben VanSumeren commits to Michigan

Jim Harbaugh and Co. missed out on three-star tight end Tommy Tremble, as he committed to Notre Dame earlier this week.

But the mantra lives on at Michigan: Next man up.

Three-star tight end/linebacker Ben VanSumeren committed to the Wolverines Sunday afternoon via Twitter.

VanSumeren committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes just nine days ago. Harbaugh and a few other Michigan coaches visited VanSumeren at his school in Essexville, Michigan two days ago, so the visit must have had an impact on VanSumeren’s change of heart.

Harbaugh officially offered VanSumeren a scholarship on Thursday, just one day before visiting him at school.

VanSumeren is a very interesting prospect. He is listed as a tight end and linebacker by 247Sports, but I would not be surprised to see Harbaugh convert him into a fullback. Check out the video below and just imagine VanSumeren and Ben Mason having lifting competitions.

With VanSumeren’s commitment, Michigan now has 17 verbal commits in its 2018 class. It is not known how many of the 17 players will sign early this week, but VanSumeren is expected to be one of the many early signees expected for U-M.