Four-star QB Michael Van Buren set to announce college decision
Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy quarterback Michael Van Buren has been on the recruiting radar since his first start as a freshman back in 2021. Now the 5-foot-11.5, 180-pound rising senior will end his recruitment on Saturday.
“I’m going to announce it on May 20,” he said following the Under Armour camp stop in Baltimore on Sunday. “I decided it was time. It’s time to get things done and recruit the best players I can. That’s why I decided to move the decision up and I’m excited for it.”
Van Buren is the No. 181 overall prospect and No. 12 quarterback in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 5 player in Maryland.
Maryland, Oregon, Penn State the finalists
Van Buren cut his list to three schools — Maryland, Oregon and Penn State — back in April. He said that those three schools are the ones that remain in play in anticipation of his decision.
“Maryland is the home team,” he said. “I’ve got a great relationship with the coaching staff and they’re right down the street in the backyard. I’ve gone there a good amount of times. I like the stuff that they’re talking about with the offense they’re putting in.
“Oregon, the coaching staff is great. Coach [Dan] Lanning, I’ve got a great relationship with him and coach [Will] Stein, and everybody else on the staff. They’ve got great people in the building. Oregon’s opportunities on and off the field are second to none.
“Penn State has [Drew] Allar and they’re still recruiting other guys, but they feel like I can come in there and take them to another level in winning the national championship. I’ve got a great relationship with coach [James] Franklin, coach [Mike] Yurcich and coach [Danny] O’Brien and everybody else on the staff.”
Van Buren was last on campus in April and the Nittany Lions have been preaching location
“They’re not that far away from home and a lot of their DMV guys go up there and succeed,” he said. “They tell me that they feel I can be one of those DMV guys that come up there and do great.”
The Ducks, the purported favorite since last month, have a large lead on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
