After taking over as LSU's QB1 down the stretch of the 2025 season, Michael Van Buren has decided to look for other opportunities. According to On3, Van Buren has plans to enter the transfer portal after one season with the Tigers.
Lane Kiffin and LSU battling for the top QB on the market in the transfer portal
Van Buren transferred to LSU after spending the 2024 season at Mississippi State. There, he threw for 1,886 yards and 11 touchdowns with 7 interceptions while appearing in 10 games as a true freshman. This past season, he started the season as Garrett Nussmeier's backup but was thrust into the starting role in LSU's final 4 games of the season as Nussmeier dealt with an abdominal injury.
With Van Buren deciding to enter the portal, Lane Kiffin now has zero scholarship quarterbacks on his roster for next season. LSU's new head coach is already busy in the portal working to make a splash.
BREAKING: LSU QB Michael Van Buren plans to enter the @TransferPortal, source tells @On3Sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 3, 2026
He’s thrown for 2,896 yards and 19 TD in his college career thus far
Started his career at Mississippi Statehttps://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/HhhwglOWzf
Michael Van Buren entering the transfer portal puts even more pressure on Lane Kiffin
Van Buren was formidable backup this season and showed flashes of starting potential when he got his opportunity. On the season, he threw for 1,010 yards and 8 touchdowns with just 2 interceptions. He also added 129 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. He ended the season on a high note, putting together his best statistical game as a Tiger in the Texas Bowl against Houston. In LSU's 38-25 loss to the Cougars, the sophomore QB completed 16 of his 26 pass attempts for a season-high 267 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions. He also added 24 rushing yards.
When Brian Kelly was fired at the end of October, Van Buren stated that he intended to stay with the LSU program amid the coaching change. He repeated that sentiment after the Texas Bowl last weekend. However, his plans have since changed and he is now testing the portal waters.
Kiffin is already busy trying to find LSU's next QB1, landing a visit with Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorbsy. Sorsby is the No. 1 QB in the portal according to Saturday Blitz, and his dual-threat skill set could be the perfect fit for Kiffin's offense.
Having not appeared in the College Football Playoff since 2019, the LSU fans base is starving for a shot at another national title. Van Buren's departure puts even more pressure on Kiffin to find not just one QB, but multiple QBs in the portal. He's had great success at recruiting and developing transfer QBs, such as Jaxson Dart and Trinidad Chambliss in recent seasons at Ole Miss. LSU fans are hoping that success continues in Baton Rouge.