Blast From The Past

When the name Leonard Weaver came up in conversation, Ben VanSumeren wasn’t in need of a backstory.

He was already well aware of the universally revered Eagles fullback from nearly two decades past whose legacy in midnight green had even been captured on YouTube, where the available clips showcased a dynamic, three-pronged skill set as a runner, receiver and blocker.

VanSumeren drew distinct parallels.

Long-tenured equipment staffers – namely vice president of equipment operations Greg Delimitros – had briefed him, versing VanSumeren on Weaver’s relevance and impact. That legacy, sadly abbreviated due to a debilitating knee injury, is now reflected in VanSumeren’s newly issued uniform number.

“They told me that the last time that we had an All-Pro fullback here was Leonard Weaver, and he wore [No.] 43,” VanSumeren said in a recent exclusive with Inside The Birds. “So, they wanted me to wear 43.”

GETTY IMAGES: Eagles FB convert Ben VanSumeren wants to be great in his new position.

The better part of nine months has been a whirlwind for VanSumeren, a converted linebacker who last season cross-trained at fullback.

He had spent his days at the NovaCare Complex in the defensive meeting rooms and would either head in early or stay late to obtain the offensive installs, which were provided by tight ends coach Jason Michael. Walkthroughs also required delicate balancing, dividing the time between offense and defense on split fields.

The commitment culminated in a relatively smooth undertaking with the help of some of his teammates. VanSumeren credited fellow linebacker Zack Baun, one of his closest friends, for helping him hone in on the defensive piece, while center Cam Jurgens was instrumental in acquainting him with blocking schemes.

The balancing act resolved itself, however, as VanSumeren at season’s end learned he’d be transitioning to fullback in a full-time capacity.

“It really wasn’t much of a conversation,” he recalled. “It was just, that’s what I’m going to be doing moving forward.”

VanSumeren, a running back at Michigan before pivoting to linebacker at Michigan State, joins a running backs room presided over by respected position coach Jemal Singleton, who has worked with fullbacks in the past. Singleton has a flair for fixating on details and fundamentals as well as player development.

Transitioning to a new position after already making notable strides at the old position isn’t always the kind of change an NFL player would happily accept, but for someone wired like VanSumeren, selfless and eager to make an impact for the Eagles by any means, it was a decision that was embraced and welcomed with open arms.

“I told them that I want to help the team, first off,” he said. “That’s No. 1. And I want to be considered the best at something. And I’m gonna leave it in the hands of guys like Howie [Roseman] and guys in the front office who evaluate talent, they watch me play every, single day. I said, ‘I’m gonna do whatever you guys ask, just know I want to be at the top of the game and I want to be considered the very best at what I do. So, you guys tell me where you see that at.’ And they see me as being able to do that at fullback.”

As VanSumeren spoke, the devotion to his craft was evident. The third-year pro conveyed a passion for the game that bordered on obsessive. Those intangibles complement VanSumeren’s newfound perspective, which was derived from a recent bout with adversity that resulted in a season-ending knee injury.

It occurred during a Friday practice in November, leading up to the Eagles’ eventual 24-19 win over the Baltimore Ravens. VanSumeren was running with the football when he sustained the injury that he described as “kind of a fluke thing.”

The surgery, conducted in Los Angeles in early December, was the first step toward what has been a remarkable comeback for VanSumeren, who solicited guidance during the recovery process from teammates Saquon Barkley and Lane Johnson. VanSumeren has been lifting weights since March and without limitations for two-and-a-half months. He began running full speed again at the beginning of April.

Implementing a regimen during the spring ahead of OTAs, VanSumeren trained in Florida, where he focused on gaining strength and running again before transitioning to plyometrics. His plan is to remain at 242 pounds, where he feels as fast and strong as he’s ever been.

“Every metric that I had before my injury is higher now,” he said. “Top speed, force plate movements, strength testing … it’s all higher now than it’s ever been before. I credit that to my training, but also to the mindset of, ‘I gotta pull this off and I gotta train even harder.’”

While his blocking proficiency was on display, the reality is that VanSumeren is a rare breed at the fullback position, much like Weaver was in his day.

Boasting 4.4 speed and a 42.5-inch vertical leap, as well as a decorated past as a high school wide receiver, the collection of intriguing attributes could manifest as an explosive complementary component of a high-octane offense expected to evolve. For perspective, VanSumeren is a student of the game. When watching offensive film last season, he would spend his leisure time studying the route-running prowess of some of the opposing wideouts on the upcoming schedule.

Route-running, VanSumeren said, is something that comes second nature. It’s a skill that’s never left him. In fact, when VanSumeren was afforded the opportunity to run routes last summer at the end of training camp, he noticed improvements relative to his days at Michigan.

The next couple of weeks for VanSumeren will be dedicated to position-specific drills, in addition to ensuring his conditioning is dialed in as training camp looms.

VanSumeren’s story, one of resilience, gratitude and an abundance of hard work, is not only one in which the city of Philadelphia can relate; the grit, desire and steadfast mentality of the organization, city and its impassioned legion of fans has also resonated with VanSumeren, who views the pairing as an ideal culture fit.

“All the vets that come to Philly tell me the same thing … it’s the cool thing to go hard. There’s not egos around the locker room, no matter who it is. You look at guys like B.G. [Brandon Graham] and Lane [Johnson] – and the guys that have been here for years – and it’s the cool thing to be a try-hard [guy]. It’s a cool thing to put in effort and actually care.

“And I know from being in college and stuff, where guys were higher recruits or guys were established players … that wasn’t always cool. And I always disagreed with that. That wasn’t me. So, being in a place in Philly where people care – it’s top-to-bottom and it’s not even in the building – it’s the fans.

“It’s everybody about everything about Philly. People really care. They care about the performance, and that’s ultimately what it’s about, is production and performance. And it really shouldn’t be about anything else. It’s about what you put out and what you do. I think that’s a complete culture fit for myself. That’s why I love Philly and that’s why I love the organization.”

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.