Coming in with a 4-1 record, the LSU Tigers appear strong on paper. But when their offense is analyzed, problems start to appear. Garrett Nussmeier has been a disappointment this season. He averages just 6.8 yards per attempt, ranked 90th among FBS quarterbacks. The deep ball has disappeared. There are rumors that he never fully recovered from his torso injury. Since then Michael Van Buren Jr.’s name keeps popping up as a suitable backup for him, and he did show his capabilities against Mississippi State in Week 4, completing 10 of 12 passes for 122 yards with a touchdown coming in the fourth quarter.

Even Brian Kelly couldn’t hold back his praise for him. “He’s beginning to command the offense the way I would like a starter to command it, not a backup.” Kelly said. “I want him to go in there with confidence and communication. I thought he did a very good job last week.” But in between all this hustle, let’s not forget who originally backed him up. His parents.

Who is Michael Van Buren Jr.’s Father, Michael Van Buren Sr.? 

Michael Van Buren Jr. has been a dynamic player since high school. Growing up in Bowie, Maryland, he attended St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. He led his high school team to a 9-1 record in 2022. He completed 112 of 198 passes and threw for 1,707 yards with 18 touchdowns while also rushing for 125 yards with 10 carries and 2 touchdowns. So where did he get all this talent from?

Well, it’s all because of the resilience and grit he got from his father, Michael Van Buren Sr. From a very young age his love for football was evident, despite also having a brief stint as a track and field athlete. When he was just 9 years old, Michael Jr. started working with former St. Frances assistant coach Russell Thomas and was doing his personal sports-specific training under him. Through it all his father stood right beside him.

Working under Thomas pushed him to improve his game even more. Thomas has also coached Caleb Williams, who won the Heisman in 2022 and the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. Even TE Justin and Cameron Ball also trained under him. Now his father is not the only one behind Michael Jr.’s success.

Who is Michael Van Buren Jr.’s Mother, Monique Walker? 

Along with his father, even his mother, Monique Walker, has had a deep influence on Michael Jr. Even though there’s not much information available about her career, she is constantly supporting her son. One such instance was in 2021 when Van Buren Jr. threw 4 touchdown passes in the first half during their high school game against the Panthers. He even won all five of the remaining games, ending the season with a 34-24 win against IMG Academy. During this stretch it was his mother who motivated him.

“I wasn’t able to be there (for the De La Salle game), but that morning, I texted my son, and I told him, ‘Go out there and show them who you are. You were given this opportunity. Show them why they recruited you to St. Frances,” Monique Walker said. “And that’s exactly what he did. He went out there and had a breakout game. That game put him on the map of being noticed by colleges everywhere.” Her influence and support guided Michael Van Buren Jr. throughout his journey.

What is Michael Van Buren Jr. ‘s Parents’ Ethnicity And Nationality?

Growing up in Bowie, Maryland, Michael Van Buren is an American citizen. But his ethnicity is still under wraps, and there’s even no information about his faith and beliefs. But one thing is evident, and that’s his love for the game. It’s either taking the bold step of moving out of Oregon or waiting for his turn at LSU to make an impact.

And after Nussmeier’s injury concerns, Michael Van Buren even got a chance to prove himself this season. Even Kelly appreciated him: “I think it’s a great opportunity for him. We’re going to give Garrett some time to rest here this week and make sure he’s fully at 100%. Michael got all the first-team reps in articulation. He did a great job. He’s still learning, but as we said, we feel confident in his ability.” Can Michael Jr. be as successful in backup duty as Trinidad Chambliss was at Ole Miss? That appears to be the gold standard of backup QBs this season. There are a lot of games still left for Michael Jr. to leave his mark on the game.