SEC Freshman of the Week: Mississippi State Football's Newest Star

The future is now in Starkville as Mississippi State continues to unveil the gem of its 2024 recruiting class.

Oct 12, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (0) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker (11) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

There haven't been many wins in Starkville this season, but there is hope by way of a precocious young quarterback who's assimilating faster than the original timetable.

Michael Van Buren Jr., handpicked by new head coach Jeff Lebby to be the Bulldog quarterback of the future, has been the quarterback for right now since starter Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending injury.

And the true freshman from Maryland has been up to the challenge.

Van Buren has been named the SEC Freshman of the Week, not for the way he played against a visitor from the FCS or the Sun Belt, but for his performance against top 5 Georgia... in Athens over the weekend.

Big Time Performance for @mike3k_ #SHOWTIME | #HailState pic.twitter.com/o9NuWkYzNT

— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) October 14, 2024

Van Buren completed 20-of-37 passes and set personal-bests with three touchdown passes and 306 yards. An agile athlete when it's needed, he also rushed for 15 yards. He's just the second Bulldog to ever throw for more than 300 yards against Georgia

Van Buren led the Bulldogs to 31 points against one of the nation's most talented defenses, including touchdowns on three of the last four drives.

His two starts have now been at Texas and at Georgia, which are the kind of road tests that can either break or help mold a young quarterback. For Van Buren, it has so far been the latter.

Mississippi State true freshman QB Michael Van Buren made his first two career starts vs No. 1 Texas and No. 5 Georgia — both on the road.

MVB accounted for 450 passing yards, four total TDs and just one INT - including 306 and 3 TDs vs UGA.

QB1 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kMZVYLERwb

— Tru Maroon Nation (@TruMaroonNation) October 13, 2024

Mississippi State is going to take its lumps this fall. However, as long as No. 0 is slinging it and developing under the tutelage of Lebby, there's cause for optimism in Starkville.

Week 7 SEC Football Recap: Mississippi State's Budding Star Quarterback