Former SEC QB Michael Van Buren wins FBS starting job, per report
By Jacob Moss
Published:
The 2026 college football season has finally arrived, and every program around the country is making its final preparations for what they hope will be a successful campaign.
Like every year, plenty of teams entered fall camp embroiled in a quarterback competition following the departure of an entrenched starter from 2025, and those battles are all starting to wrap up as squads officially announce who their starter for Week 1 will be.
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The USF Bulls just wrapped up their quarterback battle, with ESPN insider Pete Thamel reporting that former LSU and Mississippi State gunslinger Michael Van Buren Jr. has officially been named the starter for their Week 1 showdown against FIU.
A member of the 2024 recruiting class, Van Buren signed with Mississippi State out of high school and spent one season with the program, where he started 10 games under center as a true freshman.
He then moved to Baton Rouge last year, playing in 7 games for the Tigers and starting the final 4 matchups of the season due to Garrett Nussmeier’s injury.
Now on his third stop in 3 collegiate seasons, Van Buren will be looking to guide the USF offense to success under first-year head coach Brian Hartline.
