Oregon QB Commit Michael Van Buren Discusses Growth, Aim for Senior Season

When discussing 2024 Oregon Ducks quarterback commit Michael Van Buren, there's one thing we can say with absolute 100% confidence.

By the time he gets to Eugene in January to enroll with the Ducks, he's going to be battle-tested.

Van Buren and the St. Frances Academy Panthers may still be searching for their first win this season entering week 5, but it's certainly not for a lack of talent. Their schedule has taken them all across the country and pinned them against many of the nation's premier programs.

Things got started against Georgia power Buford in week 1, then they rolled into Florida to face Chaminade-Madonna, before traveling to Illinois to play East St. Louis--dropping a close one 13-7.

Last week's game brought the future Duck out to the West Coast to face the No. 3 St. John Bosco Braves--the reigning national champions.

#Oregon QB commit Michael Van Buren is ready to go pic.twitter.com/tW8Vi9jkXV
— Max Torres (@mtorressports) September 9, 2023

Ducks Digest had boots on the ground and caught up with the Under Armour All-American quarterback after the game.

"We just gotta be better as a whole. I feel like we beat ourselves," Van Buren said of what he was able to take away from the 37-14 loss. "We made a lot of bad mistakes, putting ourselves behind the chains to start drives. It was just little stuff that we gotta clean up at practice to get us back on the top."

It would be tough for any team to play St. Frances' schedule, routinely catching flights in search of the best competition you can find at the high school level.

"It's great to go around and see places and go to other states and play high-caliber players," he said. "You just gotta be better. It's great to play this kind of schedule. I feel like it's really gonna help me for when I touch down in Eugene."

His team has struggled four games into the season, but the four-star passer continues to use everything as a learning experience.

"Just stay positive no matter the good or the bad, just stay positive. Just always be a leader to my team, somebody my team can look to--when they need a play, when everybody's down, somebody that's always encouraging them. Just to stay positive and I just learn how to be more of a leader."

Van Buren made a name for himself as a dual-threat quarterback, which helped him land 19 reported scholarship offers. But he isn't getting complacent just because he knows where he's playing his college ball--he's still trying to level up.

"I'm just trying to get better in all aspects," he said. "My decision-making, being a better leader. I'm just trying to prepare myself to come into Eugene and put on my best performance."

What specific parts of his game does he take pride in?

"Just being able to do everything. Being able to run, being able to throw the ball, being able to make good reads. Just being able to be good at all aspects of being a quarterback."

The rest of his 2023 schedule features games against the nation's No. 1 team Mater Dei (9/22) and national powerhouse IMG Academy in Florida (11/17), but he's planning to make at least one return trip out West to Oregon.

"I'm planning on coming to the USC and Colorado game. If not one or the other, both."

Duck fans don't need to worry about other schools recruiting one of Will Stein's two 2024 quarterback commits.

"I shut down my recruitment 100%," he said. "I'm all locked into Oregon. Even if any other school text me, it's nothing. I'm locked in."

Van Buren ended the interview with plenty of excitement for what's to come, as he's ready to help the Ducks chase their first national championship.

"I'm comin'. That's the long story short, I'm comin'. I'll be there in January and I'm ready to get to work. Ready to do what I gotta do to lead Oregon to a national championship."

Michael Van Buren First Three Games 2023 Highlights