TAMPA, Fla. – It came down to last Friday’s scrimmage. The winner of the quarterback competition would have a couple of weeks to prepare in earnest for next Saturday evening’s season opener against FIU at Raymond James Stadium.
Word spread around social media platforms Monday morning that Micheal Van Buren, who was in competition with Luke Kromenhoek, was the chosen one.
“Mike did a really job handling adversity and taking care of the football,” said coach Brian Hartline during his media availability Tuesday afternoon. “In the end, I thought it was just the body of work.”
Speaking of body of work, Van Buren has a heftier resume than that of Kromenhoek. The Maryland native, who is listed at an even six feet and 190 pounds, has 12 career starts with two SEC programs. He started the final games eight games of the 2024 season as a true freshman at Mississippi State after Blake Shapen was injured. With Shapen returning in 2025, Van Buren left for LSU where he started four games.
Through two seasons and 17 games, including the 12 starts, Van Buren has 2,896 yards passing and 25 total touchdowns with 19 through the air. He has thrown nine picks. He now has an opportunity to build some stock at USF out of the gate in 2026.
“It came down to wanting to make a decision and give whoever that would be almost two weeks of prep to get to that first game,” said Hartline. “So, it was more the timing than it was anything else.”
Running back D.J. Crowther, a transfer from Dartmouth, has plenty of good things to say about both quarterbacks, including how well they are received away from the gridiron.
“Those are two great dudes and they do a great job with leadership on the field, in the huddle and also off the field as both are great guys in the locker room,” he said Tuesday. “Mike’s game, he’s able to complete passes down the field and also open up the game with his legs. (Opponents) have to respect both aspects.”
READ: From Baltimore To Tampa Bay: Jason Collins Jr. Finds A Fresh Start And A Familiar Legend At USF
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