Michael Van Buren Jr.
Michael Van Buren Jr.
Operates within the system without forcing anything. Across two seasons and two programs, two head coaches: Jeff Lebby and Brian Kelly. The receipt on tape: 267 pass yds, 24 rush yds against Houston, Bowl, 2025.
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- positional archetype classification
- head-coach lineage
- game log
Career Arc
2025 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Lane Kiffin
Career stats
| Season | Team | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | LSU | 94 | 151 | 62.3% | 1,010 | 6.7 | 8 | 2 | 133.3 | -- | -- |
| 2024 | Mississippi State | 140 | 256 | 54.7% | 1,886 | 7.4 | 11 | 7 | 125.3 | -- | -- |
| Career | 234 | 407 | 57.5% | 2,896 | 7.1 | 19 | 9 | 128.2 | -- | -- |
| Season | Team | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | LSU | 48 | 129 | 2.7 | 1 | -- |
| 2024 | Mississippi State | 69 | -12 | -0.2 | 5 | -- |
| Career | 117 | 117 | 1.0 | 6 | -- |
How he plays
Play style
Balanced passer who operates within the system, without one standout number carrying the profile.
CFB Index positional classification
2026 Outlook
LSU
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Quarterback · LSU
Returning around him
- 66% of 2024 offensive production back (Solid continuity)
- 7 LSU players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: +0 net (41 in / 41 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
LSU · Last season: 7-6 (AP #20) · Talent rank #6 · 2026 recruiting class #11
DNA match
Player DNA
Pocket Passer
Balanced passer who operates within the system, without one standout number carrying the profile.
His 2025 production profile sits closest to Brady McBride’s 2020 season.
Matches Brady on
Differs from Brady on
Through 2 college seasons, his career arc tracks closest to John Rhys Plumlee’s path through UCF.
Ian Book
Matches John on
As a sophomore, his production profile tracks closest to Jordan Yates's sophomore season at Georgia Tech (2021).
Matches Jordan on
Differs from Jordan on
Player DNA
Players who play like Michael Van Buren Jr.
Heisman trajectory
Heisman Trajectory · 2025
Peak #35
Peaked at #35 this season.
Development
Development Trajectory · passing yards
2024–2025-46%
Sharp dropoff (-46%) — career inflection point.