Ben VanSumeren is an American football fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs, wearing No. 47. As of October 2026, the 26-year-old is on Kansas City’s active roster after beginning the year with the Buffalo Bills. He entered the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2023, initially playing linebacker before moving back to fullback—a position he had played earlier in college.
That position-changing path is what makes VanSumeren’s career unusual. He has played offense, defense and special teams, moving from Michigan fullback to college linebacker and eventually back to an offensive role in the NFL.
Quick Bio: Ben VanSumeren
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Ben VanSumeren |
| Date of Birth | May 5, 2000 |
| Age | 26 |
| Birthplace | Bay City, Michigan |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in |
| Weight | 258 lbs on Chiefs roster* |
| Position | Fullback |
| Current Team | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Jersey Number | No. 47 |
| College | Michigan, Michigan State |
| NFL Draft | Undrafted in 2023 |
| NFL Experience | 4th season |
| Relationship Status | Not publicly confirmed |
*Kansas City currently lists VanSumeren at 258 pounds, while NFL.com lists a lower weight. For his current team profile, the Chiefs’ measurement is the most appropriate figure to use.
What Team Does Ben VanSumeren Play For?
VanSumeren currently plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs list him as a fullback on their active roster, with No. 47.
His route to Kansas City included several moves in 2026. Buffalo signed him to a one-year contract on April 29 after his time with Philadelphia. The Bills then released him during roster reductions on August 30.
Kansas City added VanSumeren to its practice squad on September 1. After a standard elevation, the Chiefs signed him to the active roster on September 16. This was not a trade from Buffalo; he joined Kansas City after being released by the Bills.
Why Does VanSumeren Play Fullback After Being a Linebacker?
VanSumeren’s position history is one of the most interesting parts of his football story.
He began his college career at Michigan and appeared at fullback during his first seasons. Michigan’s official record shows that he also contributed on special teams before moving to linebacker.
After transferring to Michigan State in 2021, defense became his primary role. Michigan State described him as a linebacker and documented his transition from Michigan.
Philadelphia initially continued that defensive path after signing him as an undrafted player in 2023. But the Eagles discovered another way to use his size and athleticism.
In October 2024, Philadelphia began giving VanSumeren offensive snaps at fullback. He was used as a blocker, including on a 41-yard Saquon Barkley run against the New York Giants.
By the 2025 offseason, the Eagles had approached him about making fullback his full-time position. Kansas City now officially lists him at FB, although NFL.com groups him more broadly under running back.
A fullback generally lines up in the backfield and can be asked to block, protect the quarterback, contribute on special teams and occasionally carry or catch the ball. VanSumeren’s defensive background makes his route to the position particularly uncommon.
College Career: Michigan to Michigan State
VanSumeren played at both Michigan and Michigan State.
At Michigan from 2018 through 2020, he appeared at fullback, on special teams and eventually at linebacker. He scored his first college rushing touchdown in 2019 before moving to defense for the 2020 season.
He then transferred to Michigan State, where he concentrated on linebacker. The move completed the first major position change of his career—one he would eventually reverse after reaching the NFL.
Before college, VanSumeren attended Garber High School in Essexville, Michigan. His high school résumé showed the versatility that later defined his professional career: he contributed as a receiver, runner and defender.
Was Ben VanSumeren Drafted?
No. Ben VanSumeren was not selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.
He entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles. After initially being waived, he spent time on Philadelphia’s practice squad and was promoted to the active roster during his rookie season.
Rather than becoming known for a high draft position, VanSumeren built his NFL role through special teams work and his ability to handle different assignments.
Injury History
VanSumeren has also worked back from two significant knee injuries.
Philadelphia reported that he suffered a torn ACL during practice late in the 2024 season.
After returning in 2025, he suffered a separate injury on the opening kickoff of Philadelphia’s first regular-season game. NBC Sports reported that he tore the patellar tendon in his left knee, ending his season.
Those injuries should not be combined into a single event: the ACL injury occurred in 2024, while the patellar-tendon injury occurred in 2025. His subsequent return to NFL roster activity in 2026 included stops with Buffalo and Kansas City.
Ben VanSumeren’s Parents and Brother
VanSumeren is the son of Jeff and Cindy VanSumeren, according to Michigan State’s official athletics biography.
His younger brother, Alex VanSumeren, also played football at Michigan State as a defensive lineman. Michigan State’s recruiting profile for Alex independently identifies Ben as his older brother.
Beyond those publicly documented details, there is no need to extend the profile into private information about non-public family members.
Is Ben VanSumeren Married or Dating?
VanSumeren’s current relationship status has not been publicly confirmed by reliable sources reviewed for this profile.
Some low-authority biography pages make personal-life claims, but those claims should not be treated as established facts without stronger confirmation. There is currently insufficient reliable evidence to identify a wife, girlfriend or partner as fact.
Contract and Salary
Contract database Over the Cap lists VanSumeren’s current 2026 Chiefs contract at a $1.075 million value, with no fully guaranteed money listed. It shows a 2026 salary-cap charge of approximately $1.015 million.
Those figures should not be confused with personal wealth. Contract value, base salary, cap charge, guaranteed money and actual career earnings describe different financial concepts.
VanSumeren’s exact net worth is not publicly known, and unsupported celebrity-wealth estimates should not be presented as verified fact.
Conclusion
VanSumeren’s path from college fullback to linebacker and back to fullback has made versatility the defining theme of his career. Now on Kansas City’s active roster, his current role reflects the same ability to contribute across offense and special teams that helped him establish himself in the NFL.
FAQs
How old is Ben VanSumeren?
Ben VanSumeren is 26 years old. He was born on May 5, 2000, in Bay City, Michigan.
How tall is Ben VanSumeren?
He is officially listed by the Kansas City Chiefs at 6 feet 2 inches tall.
What position does Ben VanSumeren play?
Kansas City lists VanSumeren as a fullback. He previously played linebacker and has also been heavily involved on special teams.
What number does Ben VanSumeren wear?
VanSumeren wears No. 47 for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Where did Ben VanSumeren go to college?
He played college football at Michigan and Michigan State. He began as a fullback at Michigan before moving to linebacker and later transferred to Michigan State.
Was Ben VanSumeren drafted?
No. VanSumeren went undrafted in 2023 and began his NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Who are Ben VanSumeren’s parents?
His parents are Jeff and Cindy VanSumeren. He also has a younger brother, Alex, who played defensive line at Michigan State.
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