Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. hit the transfer portal after one season in Starkville, igniting another likely string of dominoes on the college QB carousel.
The true freshman started eight games for the Bulldogs in 2024, taking over as QB1 when starter Blake Shapen was injured, including a 300-yard effort with three TD passes in a 41-31 loss to Georgia.
“My family and I are forever thankful to coach (Jeff) Lebby, the staff, my teammates, the administrative team and the professors for their contributions to my growth as an individual,” Van Buren posted on social media. “For the past year, we have worked arm in arm to generate some memorable moments in coach Lebby’s first year, and I am confident there is more greatness to come from the program.”
Shapen said Monday he plans to return to Mississippi State next season.
However, he could soon have significant competition for the starting job.
Mississippi State is reportedly heavily pursuing quarterbacks in the transfer portal and was on the list of planned visits by Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold, according to reports.
The Bulldogs were 2-10 in Lebby’s first season and Van Buren passed for 1,886 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions with five rushing touchdowns.
Lebby was previously offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Oklahoma and recruited Arnold. He coached Arnold in 2023, the first of the quarterback’s two seasons in Norman, when Dillon Gabriel — the current Oregon starter — was ahead of Norman on the depth chart.
In May 2023, Van Buren committed to Dan Lanning and Oregon ahead of his two other finalists, Penn State and Maryland.
But when Lebby left Oklahoma to take over at Mississippi State, the dominoes dropped in this order: Van Buren decommitted from the Ducks and signed with Mississippi State; Gabriel transferred from Oklahoma to Oregon; and Arnold was promoted to the starting job with the Sooners.
Luke Moga, a four-star recruit in the 2024 class, held to his commitment to Oregon and remains with the Ducks entering the postseason.
