NCAA: Texas N0 1 Beckham Sunderland Decommits from Texas as he flips his commitment to Michigan Wolverines….Read More

Beckham Sunderland, a former kicker for Texas State, has committed to the University of Michigan football team via the transfer portal. This marks the third consecutive year Michigan has added a kicker through the portal, following James Turner in 2023 and Dominic Zvada in 2024. citeturn0search7

**Background and Performance at Texas State**

Sunderland, a Newport, Kentucky native, attended Sycamore High School in Cincinnati before beginning his collegiate career. During the 2024 season at Texas State, he appeared in two games, recording eight kickoffs for 530 yards (an average of 66.3 yards per kickoff) and six touchbacks. He also successfully converted one extra point attempt. citeturn0search1

**Connection to Michigan Football**

Sunderland is the nephew of Brandon Kornblue, a former Michigan kicker and renowned kicking coach. Kornblue has been instrumental in developing kickers at various levels, and his connection to Sunderland suggests a strong foundation in kicking mechanics and training. citeturn0search1

**Role at Michigan**

At Michigan, Sunderland is expected to serve primarily as a kickoff specialist, a role he has experience in from his time at Texas State. His strong leg and ability to generate touchbacks will be valuable assets for the Wolverines’ special teams unit. Additionally, Kornblue has indicated that Sunderland has the potential to contribute as a punter, providing versatility to Michigan’s special teams. citeturn0search1

**Impact on Michigan’s Special Teams**

The addition of Sunderland enhances Michigan’s special teams depth, particularly in the kickoff phase. With the departure of punter/kicker Tommy Doman, who transferred to Florida in December, Sunderland’s arrival addresses the need for a reliable kickoff specialist. His strong leg and experience will contribute to the Wolverines’ field position strategy, a critical aspect of the game. citeturn0search1

**Future Outlook**

Sunderland’s commitment to Michigan adds depth and experience to the Wolverines’ special teams unit. His strong leg and potential for both kickoff and punting duties provide flexibility and options for the coaching staff. As the 2025 season approaches, Sunderland’s integration into Michigan’s special teams will be closely watched, with expectations for him to make significant contributions to the team’s success.

For a more detailed analysis of Sunderland’s commitment and its implications for Michigan football, you can watch the following video:

videoNEW Portal Commit, Two Wolverines Named Potential All-Americansturn0search6