LSU quarterback Michael Van Buren comments on future plans: ‘I love it here’
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LSU quarterback Michael Van Buren is getting the chance to play down the stretch in 2025 as Garrett Nussmeier recovers from an injury.
Van Buren made his first career collegiate start in Nussmeier’s place last Saturday against Arkansas, and he got to do it in front of those crazy fans at Death Valley. It wasn’t pretty, but Van Buren got it done in his first shot in the spotlight, helping LSU rally for a 23-22 victory that snapped a 3-game losing streak. Amid the firing of head coach Brian Kelly and the injury woes of Nussmeier, who began the season as a Heisman Trophy candidate, Van Buren is just trying to make the most of his unlikely chance.
And, by the way, he made clear on Tuesday that he wants to stay exactly where he’s at right now. Van Buren completed passes to 8 different receivers on Saturday and went 21 of 31 for 221 yards passing, 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions. He also ran it 10 times for 36 yards, and by Tuesday’s comments to Cory Diaz, who covers LSU for the USA Today Sports Network, he’s looking forward to many more Saturdays wearing the LSU uniform.
When Van Buren was asked if he felt like he had a future in Baton Rouge, his answer was emphatic.
“Most definitely,” he told Diaz.
When a follow-up question asked Van Buren why he felt that way, he showered LSU with praise.
“I love it here in Baton Rouge,” Van Buren said. “I love the place, Tiger Stadium. Everything about this place. That’s why I want to continue my career here.”
With Nussmeier’s status going forward in question, Van Buren could get another opportunity to shine in front of the Tiger Stadium faithful this Saturday night against Western Kentucky. Kickoff is at 7:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network, and Van Buren just might be under center again when the Week 13 matchup begins.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
