Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Hunt Palmer
LSU does not intend to redshirt Michael Van Buren.
The Mississippi State transfer replaced Garrett Nussmeier at quarterback on Saturday. It was his third game action of the season. Should he play in two of the final three games, he would burn his sophomore year of eligibility.
Right now, that’s the plan.
“If he can come in and contribute and help us to win, it’s something that he wants to do,” Wilson said. “It’s something that we want him to do, because we think he has tremendous value to us.”
In an interview with The Advocate in March, prior to spring football, then head coach Brian Kelly suggested Van Buren, Ju’Juan Johnson and Colin Hurley would all redshirt as backup quarterbacks. Johnson shifted to running back and has played in every game. It appears Van Buren will play moving forward.
“Those are the things you have to take into consideration of student-athlete and family of what may have been told to them prior and where we’re currently at as a program,” Wilson said. “We’re taking that appropriate measures.”
College football has, in many respects, been boiled down to the 12-team playoff and nothing else. Bowl games have lost value due to opt outs and transfers. Wilson is urging his team, Van Buren included, to finish strong.
“We’ve still got a lot of season left, three games and a bowl game,” Wilson said. “So, we would like to use those contributions to help us win games.”
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