Penn State Draws Closer to Landing Standout 2024 Quarterback

Meet Michael Van Buren, the Maryland QB who is among the nation's top prospects and a high priority for the Lions.

Penn State has assembled a compelling 2024 recruiting class so far, rich with four-star talent and dotted with the top players in their state. Now, the Lions could be closing in on another marquee prospect: a quarterback.

Michael Van Buren, a 4-star quarterback from St Frances Academy in Maryland, named Penn State among his final three schools with Oregon and Maryland. Van Buren told the recruiting site On3 that he plans to make an announcement July 8, a month that has been successful for Penn State recruiting the past few years.

Van Buren is the nation's No. 11 quarterback, according to the 247Sports Composite, playing for one of the nation's most unique teams. He completed 57 percent of his passes last year for 812 yards and nine touchdowns over a nine-game schedule during which St. Frances Academy played road games in South Carolina, Texas, Illinois and Hawaii against some of the nation's top teams. Van Buren guided St. Frances Academy to an 8-1 record and a No. 7 ranking in the HSFA Top 100.

Van Buren (5-11, 185 pounds) is among the more sought-after quarterbacks in the 2022 recruiting cycle. He has made several unofficial visits to Penn State, including, a trip in early April, and has an official visit scheduled for June. He also has made recent trips to Oregon and Maryland has offers from many of the nation's top programs, including Alabama, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Miami.

In early April, Van Buren celebrated his 18th birthday by posting some of the digital cards he received on social media. This one from Penn State offered a peek into some of the coaches' and recruiting staff personalities, including offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich, who even danced.

Penn State's 11-player class for 2024 already includes some of its top targets. Chief among them is Quinton Martin, a 4-star running back/defensive back who is Pennsylvania's top-ranked player. The Lions also received a commitment from Wisconsin's top player, offensive lineman Donovan Harbour. The Lions currently rank seventh nationally, and third in the Big Ten, on 247Sports' team list.

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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.