Bulls Open Camp With Kromenhoek and Van Buren Competing For Starting Job Under Center
August 04, 2026 | Football
In college football's modern era, their journeys are not that unusual. Three years, three different programs. But Luke Kromenhoek and Michael Van Buren share another quality besides their four-star recruiting status coming out of high school.
They yearn for a permanent home, a place where they can feel rooted, a team they could help to prosperity.
Kromenhoek and Van Buren, top competitors for the starting quarterback job, both said they have found that program with the University of South Florida Bulls, who this week open their first training camp under head coach Brian Hartline.
"We're going to need them both,'' Hartline said. "As we chase our dreams and goals, if our team is going to win a championship, we need them both to play at a very high level. They have both played in and started high-level games, so we're blessed to have quarterbacks of that caliber.''
Van Buren can impact games with his arm and legs. Kromenhoek is more of a drop-back passer, but he's also a willing and effective runner.
Kromenhoek (6-foot-4, 220 pounds), once rated as high as the No. 3 quarterback prospect in America, started two games for the Florida State Seminoles in 2024. He became the only true freshman in FSU history with three touchdown passes in his first career start. After FSU's 2-10 finish, he transferred last season to Mississippi State, where he played sparingly. Once again, he was on the move.
"It's just the way college football is now,'' said Kromenhoek, who played for Benedictine Military School in his hometown of Savannah, Ga. "Things happen. Being on my third school definitely wasn't in the playbook. When I got into the transfer portal (in December), I knew Brian Hartline had been hired at USF and I thought, 'Man, I'd like to play for that guy.' By the grace of God, USF called me and asked me to visit.
"My family and I came here late night, then spent the whole next day at USF. I kind of just knew, like, 'Man, this is where I want to be.' The energy of this coaching staff was off the charts. And everything you'd want as a player, it's right here at USF. I think this will be one of the better decisions I've made in my life.''
Van Buren (6-0, 195) had originally committed to Oregon after becoming a sensation at Baltimore's powerhouse St. Frances Academy, not far from his hometown of Bowie, Md. Ultimately, though, the SEC came calling. He signed with Mississippi State, where he started eight games (with a pair of 300-yard passing performances) as a true freshman. But there were no SEC victories and he was attracted by an opportunity at LSU. Van Buren initially backed up Garrett Nussmeier, then started the season's final four games. He considered staying to play for new head coach Lane Kiffin, but instinctively felt destined for a better fit.
USF assistant quarterbacks coach Trey Holtz, who had been lead offensive analyst at LSU, hit up Van Buren. He loved working with Holtz, so that's how his interest began. Once he investigated USF further, it was done.
"Trey Holtz opened the door and he was a main part of me coming to USF,'' Van Buren said. "He introduced it to me. When I landed in Tampa, right off the rip, it seemed perfect. It was a no-brainer. This program is moving up and with Coach Hartline here now, I think it's going straight to the top. There's a big-time future here and I'm excited to be part of it.''
Dealing With Ups And Downs
Big-time.
Kromenhoek (pronounced: Chrome-N-Hawk) and Van Buren are familiar with the concept.
From an early age, they received praise and attention. They were contacted by college coaches from coast-to-coast.
"Coming out of high, you hear stuff like, 'Man, we could see you win the national championship' or 'We think you'll be a Day-One starter' and what kid wouldn't love hearing stuff like that?'' Kromenhoek said. "At the end of the day, you realize this is college football and it's a business. Nothing is promised to you.
"I feel like I've matured so much since the first day I walked into Florida State's program. I have gone through some very hard lessons and been through some very uncomfortable situations. But I feel like difficult moments allow you to build some character.''
And speaking of character…
Despite a 5-7 record, Mississippi State was selected for last season's Duke's Mayo Bowl against Wake Forest. Kromenhoek already had decided to enter the transfer portal after discussions with head coach Jeff Leddy. One potential issue: After starter Kamario Taylor, the Bulldogs had no other quarterbacks. Kromenhoek was it.
Sure enough, Taylor went down with an injury.
"Coach (Leddy) had asked if I was willing to play,'' Kromenhoek said. "In my mind, I started the year with this team and I was going to finish it when them, even though I was headed to the portal. It was fun to get back out there. A little weird, but fun. I felt good about it. In the end, you've got to be true to yourself.''
Van Buren agrees with that assessment.
He has enjoyed some individual glory. He has played in 17 games and started 12, passing for 2,896 yards with 19 touchdowns. With LSU, he defeated Arkansas (221 passing yards) and had a season-high 267 passing yards against Houston in the Texas Bowl. With Mississippi State, had passed for 306 yards and three touchdowns against Georgia and 309 yards against Arkansas.
The glory actually began in high school, back at St. Frances Academy, where his first start was televised by ESPN. Against a legendary California program (De La Salle), Van Buren tossed four first-half touchdowns and completed 16 of 19 passes for 241 yards in a 42-28 win. The next day, he got a call from Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.
"It blew up after that,'' said Van Buren, who occasionally works out with former Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears' quarterback and a mentor who also played in Bowie's youth-football organization. "It happened so fast. You've got to keep it in perspective.
"You're not always the biggest fish in the ocean. You've got to be prepared for some adversity. You know what it feels like at the top. You also know what it feels like at the bottom. Honestly, I think it has all been good for me. Never too high, never too low, always even-keeled. I feel like all of it has prepared me for the moments I'm going to have at South Florida.''
Competitors And Teammates
Hartline said both Kromenhoek and Van Buren have obvious physical skills. He has been most impressed by their locker-room presence, preparation and ability to be good teammates.
"They push each other and that's a beautiful thing,'' Hartline said. "They each know they can't have a bad day, so they constantly bring their best. Each player wants an opportunity, but there's no animosity here. They both want to win games and a win a championship more than anything.
"Kromenhoek has grown in every facet of the game — leadership, his body, his speed, his mechanics, all of it. He's that tough, gritty, commanding quarterback that you love. Van Buren has really grown in the leadership department. He's probably considered more soft-spoken. But he's barking more. He's holding guys accountable. He definitely knows how to create plays. They both have great qualities.''
Van Buren unwinds to rappers such as NBA YoungBoy and Lil Dirk, but he also favors the flow of old-school rhythm and blues. Kromenhoek alternates between country, rap and what he calls "mellowed-out music.''
Back home, Kromenhoek has a favorite Mexican restaurant. Van Buren's guilty pleasure is the chicken wings and fries from a carryout place. Both can't wait to explore Tampa's culinary scene.
Besides their love for football and preparing for games, their biggest common thread is having a great support system.
Van Buren was raised by a single mother, Monique Walker, an elementary school teacher's aide who works with autistic children. Van Buren, who has an older brother, said he "owes everything'' to Walker. They talk every day about practice, school and life.
Kromenhoek's approach and football career were shaped by his father, Jon (a businessman who sells dental products), and his mother, Alison (a recruiter for Truist Bank). Kromenhoek, who has two siblings, said he inherited football passion from his father, who was a long snapper and defensive end at UMass.
"Football is a hard game,'' Kromenhoek said. "You've got to have people in your corner. Those are the people who matter.''
"It's great to have family to lean on,'' Van Buren said. "My mom has always been there for me. At my lowest moments, I could always call her. At my top moments, I love that she can enjoy that and be a part of it.''
Van Buren said he and Kromenhoek have also learned to lean on each other. They both were at Mississippi State — not at the same time — but worked with the same coaches. They like to pick each other's brain, quizzing each other on strategy and getting into the best play.
They have both had long football journeys. But now they're after the same thing — winning games for the USF Bulls.
"All along, I wanted to find a school that is going to put its trust in me, put its belief in me,'' Kromenhoek said. "I want to stick with them and ride it out. I feel like South Florida is the place where it can happen for me. I just want to stick my feet in the ground and enjoy being a Bull.''
"Three schools in three years is not ideal, but I look at where the path led me,'' Van Buren said. "God has a plan for everybody. South Florida is the place where I belong and I can't wait for what's ahead. I've always wanted to live in Florida. It feels surreal to be here. From the beginning, it just felt like home.''
Joey Johnston
Athletics Senior Writer
