LSU sophomore quarterback said Tuesday night he wants to stay on the team moving forward as the go through a coaching change.
鈥淚 love it here in Baton Rouge,鈥� Van Buren said. 鈥淚 love the place. I love Tiger Stadium. I just love everything about this place, and this is where I want to be. This is where I want to continue my career.鈥�
With senior Garrett Nussmeier out of eligibility after this season, Van Buren is one of two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster who can return to LSU.
The other is redshirt freshman Colin Hurley, who 鈥渢ook a leave for personal-related matters,鈥� interim coach Frank Wilson said Monday. Hurley missed the past two games against Alabama and Arkansas. Wilson said his absence is temporary.
LSU does not have a quarterback committed in the 2026 recruiting class. It is expected to look for at least one quarterback in the transfer portal, which opens from Jan. 2-16.
Van Buren is in line to start for the second straight game when LSU plays Western Kentucky at 6:45 p.m. Saturday inside Tiger Stadium.
Nussmeier did not play against Arkansas after aggravating an abdominal injury last week, Wilson said, and he is doubtful against Western Kentucky as of Wednesday morning.
In his first start at LSU, Van Buren completed 68% of his passes for 221 yards and one touchdown while rushing 10 times for 36 yards in a 23-22 win over Arkansas.
After starting eight games at Mississippi State as a freshman last season, the plan was for Van Buren to redshirt this year behind Nussmeier. Van Buren will burn the redshirt by playing against Western Kentucky, giving up an extra season of eligibility to get more snaps through the end of the season.
鈥淚鈥檓 just focused on getting better,鈥� Van Buren said. 鈥淢e going out there and getting those reps will make me a better football player, so that鈥檚 my main focus.鈥�