Story by
Michael Van Buren brings experience and versatility to USF's quarterback room
- Story by
- Michael Van Buren brings experience and versatility to USF's quarterback room
Michael Van Buren | Derick E. Hingle/GettyImages
It has been a rocky first two years for Michael Van Buren , the latest addition to USF's quarterback room. The soon-to-be junior from St. Francis Academy has 12 career starts and was 2-2 this season with LSU.
He also started eight games his freshman season and was 1-7 in those starts.
Advertisement
He was thrown into the deep end early during his first two years of college, but now he has some experience. Van Buren joins new head coach Brian Hartline, who was the offensive coordinator for Ohio State, and won a national championship during the 2024-25 season.
Van Buren fits Hartline's scheme very well. He prefers to be a pure passer, but can make plays with his legs, similar to C.J Stroud and Will Howard.
Van Buren also brings experience against high-level competition. In his 12 starts, eight of them were against ranked teams. His first career start during his true freshman season was against the Texas Longhorns, ranked No. 1 at the time.
Given the competition he has faced, the game should slow down for him as he moves to the American Conference from the SEC.
Advertisement
Van Buren isn't the only USF transfer quarterback. The Bulls also signed former Mississippi State and Florida State quarterback Luke Kromenhoek. Like Van Buren, he has three years of eligibility remaining and Hartline's offense.
He also has Power 4 experience with two starts for Florida State during his freshman season. It is expected that both QBs will battle to win the starting job, which I expect Van Buren to win.
Given that USF has only three rostered quarterbacks -- freshman Sam Fenton, who saw no action in 2025 is the other -- it's likely Hartline will bring in at least two more quarterbacks either through the Transfer Portal or on National Signing Day on February 4.
This article was originally published on www.greengoldandbold.com as Michael Van Buren brings experience and versatility to USF's quarterback room .
