Leadership in a New Uniform
The narrative around Alex VanSumeren is that he left Michigan State under the radar, but what everyone missed is how quickly he's adapted to leading at USC. VanSumeren, who spent two seasons with the Spartans, now has a chance to shine under head coach Lincoln Riley, who praised him during Big Ten Media Days.
Riley specifically highlighted VanSumeren's leadership in the defensive line room, calling the unit 'very talented.' VanSumeren, who started all 24 games in 2024 and 2025 for Michigan State, has now found a new role at USC where he's expected to play a key part in their Big Ten title hopes.
VanSumeren's departure hit Michigan State hard, especially since he was expected to return for his final year. His transfer ultimately allowed him to join a program with higher expectations. He now has the chance to influence a team competing for a conference title, a shift that reshaped the balance of both teams.
From Spartans to Trojans
VanSumeren closed his Spartans career with 71 tackles, including 4 1/2 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one pass defended. While he left the green-and-white behind, his impact on the field was clear enough for Riley to recognize him as a crucial piece of USC's defensive puzzle.