The Special Makeup Of MVB
November 02, 2024 | Football, Joel Coleman
Quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. continues to show he’s not your average true freshman.
STARKVILLE – It'd be easy when beginning a tale regarding Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. to simply start with a host of adjectives. They'd be plentiful for the true freshman signal caller who has looked anything but a wide-eyed rookie.
Take your pick. Remarkable. Incredible. Unique. Any of those fit.
Maybe this one is the best though. Special.
That's what Van Buren's teammates see in the youngster who was thrust into the QB1 spot for the Bulldogs when veteran Blake Shapen went down with a season-ending injury and immediately proved he's not your average true freshman.
"He is a dog, and he knows he is a dog," MSU wide receiver Kelly Akharaiyi said of Van Buren. "He is coming in there like he is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation and I love it. I love the confidence that he has got. He goes out there and he just plays dominantly. Like he plays confidently. So, he isn't [afraid of anything]."
There is indeed no fear in the makeup of Van Buren.
He didn't blink making his first career start in front of 100,000-plus fans in burnt orange at Texas. If his heart rate raised at all in Georgia, you couldn't tell it as he helped MSU put up over 30 points between the hedges – the first opposing team to do so in eight years.
Even as film got out on Van Buren, he just got stronger. His eight October touchdown passes were the most by any Southeastern Conference quarterback.
He's confident. He's composed. And he just keeps getting better and better.
"I feel like I've grown a lot, getting games under my belt and getting to see new coverages I've never seen before and things like that," Van Buren said. "Being able to get that experience is the main thing [that's helping me grow]."
After leading State to a dominant 45-20 homecoming win over UMass on Saturday, Van Buren has now thrown for 1,323 yards and nine touchdowns since becoming MSU's starter on Sept. 28. He's also run for four scores. He's thriving by land and by air.
By the game, perhaps even by the play, you can see Van Buren's growth. So much so that as the Bulldogs get ready to hit the road again for another battle against a Top-10 foe at Tennessee, MSU head coach Jeff Lebby almost feels as though he's got a completely different quarterback than the guy who already more than held his own a few weeks back at Texas.
"I think we're freed up a little bit and not having to protect [Van Buren] as much as we did when we went on the road to Austin," Lebby shared. "I think we all understand, especially me, who we have and what I can expect. You talk about predictable outcomes, I feel really good about being able to go call a play [for Van Buren] and then know what's going to happen before I call it. He's done a good job of that…I think we have the ability to call [upcoming games] freely because we know who we've got."
Put simply, Lebby trusts Van Buren, and the leader of the Dawgs is far from alone. Van Buren has the respect and confidence of each and every one of his teammates.
"If you've seen what [Van Buren's] been doing, you've got to respect it," MSU receiver Jordan Mosley said. "Knowing you have a young leader like that, you want to be there for him."
The best football players make those around them better. Van Buren certainly seems to have that trait.
Who cares if a year ago he was still playing high school ball? Leadership doesn't have an age requirement, and Van Buren is unquestionably a leader.
"He already had that quality [when he got here]," Mosley said. "We didn't have to teach him that. I think he was born with it."
It all just comes naturally for Van Buren, and he makes sure his style of leadership is the kind that uplifts others.
"I just tell my guys I have 100 percent confidence in them and just being there for them," Van Buren said. "I'm not getting on their tail all the time or telling them when they do bad. I'm always trying to keep their spirits up. So, even if they make a mistake, it's, 'OK, next play.'"
No panic. No criticism. You'd never think a true freshman would be able to handle things this way.
But once again, Van Buren is far from your average freshman. He's one of a kind, and fortunately for State, he's wrapped in Maroon and White and primarily focused on one thing and one thing only.
"I'm just trying to do whatever it takes to win," Van Buren said.
