"I'm home": 5-star recruit QB Michael Van Buren chooses Oregon over Penn State and in-state Maryland

Michael Van Buren has committed to playing college football with the Oregon Ducks. In what was a second quarterback capture for the program in the class of 2024, the five-star prospect made his decision known on Saturday after being highly recruited.

Coming out of St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, Van Buren made the decision to sign up with Oregon over his other two finalists, Penn State and in-state Maryland. The quarterback also received offers from Alabama, Arizona, Georgia Tech, and Boston College.

As noted earlier, he becomes the second quarterback to pledge his commitment to the Ducks in the 2024 recruitment cycle. He follows the step of three-star quarterback Luke Moga, who made his announcement in late April, right before Oregon's spring game.

Van Buren’s prospect at high school

The signal-caller holds the 18th position in ESPN's Top 300 rankings for the 2024 class. He is regarded as the second-best pocket passer in his class, with the top position being occupied by Dylan Raiola, who has also committed to Georgia recently.

His junior season at St. Frances proved to be remarkable and contributed to his continued recognition as one of the top quarterbacks in his class. These impressive statistics highlight his potential and solidify his standing among the best quarterbacks in his class.

Demonstrating his abilities as a dual-threat quarterback, he completed 112 out of 198 passes for 1,707 yards and 18 touchdowns as a high school junior. Additionally, he showcased his rushing skills with 10 carries for 125 yards and two touchdowns that season.

What the recruitment means for Oregon

Michael Van Buren

Oregon has potentially secured a successor to Bo Nix, who is set to conclude his college career next season. Van Buren's arrival adds to the anticipation of a smooth transition and continuity at the quarterback position for the Ducks in the post-Nix era.

Furthermore, the announcement of the signal-caller commitment provides Oregon fans with a reason to be enthusiastic about the future. This comes as a positive development following the disappointment of Dante Moore, the top 2023 quarterback recruit, altering his commitment from Oregon to UCLA in December.

Van Buren's addition to Oregon's 2024 recruiting class is particularly noteworthy, considering the talented group already assembled. This includes standout prospects such as Ify Obidegwu, Jordan Anderson, Xadavien Sims, Aaron Flowers, and a host of others.