Mississippi State QB Michael Van Buren announces intention to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

Mississippi State true freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren has announced his decision to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal after one season with the Bulldogs.

Van Buren played in 10 games in his lone year in Starkville, completing 55 percent of his passes while throwing for 1,886 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. MSU struggled to a 2-8 record during those games though, and now he will look for a new destination for the 2025 season.

“Mississippi State faithful, you all have embraced me, supported me and nurtured me both academically and athletically in our short time together,” he wrote in the announcement. “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. 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.

“After a lot of consideration, prayer and consultation with my family, I have decided to enter my name into the transfer portal with three years of eligibility left.”

The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder played high school football at St. Frances Academy (MD), where he was a four-star prospect. He ranked as the No. 385 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

He also ranked as the nation’s No. 24 quarterback and No. 12 recruit in Maryland.

Van Buren was forced to take over as starting quarterback for the Bulldogs this year after Blake Shapen went down with injury. He had his best game of the year against a stout Georgia defense, throwing for 306 yards and three touchdowns to one interception.

Mississippi State is coming off of a 2-10 finish in the inaugural season for coach Jeff Lebby. Shapen has already announced that he will return in 2025, which may have played a factor in Van Buren’s decision to transfer.

The transfer portal officially opened Monday and will remain open until Dec. 28, though players on teams still playing in the postseason will get an additional five-day window to enter the portal after their seasons end.