TAMPA, Fla. – Brian Hartline made it clear during his media session Tuesday that the quarterback competition at USF is a two-horse race between Micheal Van Buren, Jr. and Luke Kromenhoek. Both are with their third schools in as many seasons and both have an opportunity to lead a team out of the gate for the first time in their respective careers.
The man working closely with both Van Buren and Kromenhoek, the head coach’s brother, quarterbacks coach Mike Hartline, had plenty to say about both young men Thursday afternoon.
Van Buren twice took over for injured QB1
Van Buren has started 12 games in his career, including LSU’s last four contests in 2025 after the injured Garrett Nussmeier was shut down. He started eight games at Mississippi State in 2024 following a season-ending injury to Blake Shapen. Van Buren has thrown for 2,896 yards and 19 touchdowns in his two-year career.
“He’s trying to step into a position he’s never been in before, trying to earn the opportunity to become the starter,” said Hartline, who threw for 5,680 yards and 38 touchdowns at Kentucky (2006-10) under Joker Phillips and Rich Brooks. “I think he can do a lot of really good things. He plays very well-balanced in the pocket and can throw the ball pretty much anywhere you want him to put it.”
Getting the ball to a receiver while under pressure is something quarterbacks are constantly working on, and Van Buren, a junior, is no exception. Hartline noted Van Buren’s decision-making “has gotten better” and he praised the Maryland native’s non-football development. After all, how a player, especially a quarterback, carries himself is so often reflected in his performance.
“He’s really trying to develop himself as a person first and foremost,” said Hartline. “I think that’s only going to make you excel on the field. It’s a true example of who you are (as a person carrying over) on the field. So, very happy with this progress.”
Kromenhoek returns to Sunshine State
Kromenhoek and Van Buren are, in the words of their position coach, “softspoken.” They have something else in common in that they were both behind Blake Shapen on the depth chart at Mississippi State. Yet, they were not teammates.
The redshirt sophomore began his career at Florida State and made two starts for Mike Norvell in 2024 after Jordan Travis was injured late in the Seminoles’ ACC championship season. He transferred to Mississippi State, which needed depth in the quarterback room after Van Buren left for LSU. Kromenhoek, a Georgia native, saw limited action (three games, 73 yards passing) as one of Shapen’s backups last year and preserved a redshirt.
“I like his demeanor,” said Hartline. “I like his body language. Luke has the ability to do a lot of really good things. He’s a willing runner, he’s able to throw the ball accurately and he’s able to throw the ball (deep) and stretch the field.”
Hartline emphasized that it is not about talent. After all, Van Buren and Kromenhoek would not be on the practice field competing to be the starting quarterback if they did not have the skillset. Rather, it is consistently making the right decisions in whatever situation they face, especially when things are not proceeding as drawn up.
“They’re both in a really good spot,” said Hartline. “They’re both doing some really good things. They’re both really good about resetting. I think in the end, it’s just about handling that adversity, handling the chaos, handling the stuff that breaks down. Just making good decisions with the football.”
Fans will get a look at both quarterbacks during USF’s spring scrimmage Sunday afternoon (3:30) at Corbett Stadium.
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