As LSU turns the page on a rollercoaster 2025 season, all eyes are on what comes next - and who’s coming with them. With Lane Kiffin now officially at the helm, the Tigers are staring down a pivotal offseason, one that could reshape the identity of the program heading into 2026. And right at the heart of that conversation is quarterback Michael Van Buren.
Van Buren made his stance clear late in the regular season: he wanted to stay in Baton Rouge. That was before LSU had even finalized its coaching hire. Now, with Kiffin in place and player meetings underway, Van Buren’s tone hasn’t changed - even after a tough bowl loss to Houston.
“I’ve had conversations with coach Kiffin and the rest of the staff and things are good right now,” Van Buren said after the game. “I’m gonna go home, sit on it and we’re gonna see. LSU, Baton Rouge is where I want to be and at the end of the day this is where I want to be so whatever happens after that, happens.”
That’s a quarterback who’s clearly invested - but also one who’s weighing his options carefully.
Van Buren’s performance in the bowl game gave LSU fans a glimpse of what he could bring to a Lane Kiffin-led offense. The Tigers finally broke through the 30-point ceiling against an FBS opponent, putting up 35 in a losing effort.
Van Buren was a big reason why, throwing for 267 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding 50 yards on the ground (pre-sack adjustment). He showed poise, mobility, and the kind of dual-threat capability that can thrive in Kiffin’s system.
But as much as LSU would love to build around Van Buren, the quarterback room still needs reinforcements. Kiffin said it himself during the bowl broadcast - the Tigers are going to be aggressive in pursuing quarterbacks this offseason.
That means finding a proven starter and a younger developmental piece. But if Van Buren decides to leave, that strategy gets a lot more complicated.
Suddenly, LSU could be staring at a full rebuild at the most important position on the field.
And Van Buren’s not the only player with a decision to make.
Freshman running back Harlem Berry is another name to watch. He’s flashed big-play ability throughout the season and could be a foundational piece in Kiffin’s offense moving forward.
But his bowl game was a mixed bag. Berry had just three carries for 45 yards, including a fumble early in the second quarter that seemed to put him in the doghouse for the rest of the night.
He didn’t touch the ball again for most of the game.
Still, there’s no denying his upside. Running backs coach Frank Wilson was effusive in his praise postgame.
“Harlem's an outstanding young student-athlete who has a bright future ahead of him,” Wilson said. “Harlem has been outstanding in his freshman campaign, he has a bright future here and he’ll be one of the greats when it’s all said and done.”
That’s high praise - and a clear signal that LSU wants Berry back. Even with plans to bring in multiple backs via the transfer portal, Berry’s explosiveness and potential make him a player worth building around.
Then there’s the pass-catching duo of tight end Trey’Dez Green and wide receiver Kyle Parker, both of whom made strong closing statements in the bowl game.
Green looked every bit the matchup nightmare he was touted to be, hauling in four catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns. His return seems likely, especially after signing an NIL deal with Nike that ties him closely to the LSU brand.
Parker, meanwhile, remains a steady, veteran presence - the kind of receiver who might not wow you on every snap, but consistently moves the chains and shows up in big moments. He finished with seven catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Together, they helped LSU finally unlock some of the offensive firepower that had been missing all season. And that didn’t go unnoticed.
“It was good to see run-after-the-catch ability, making plays - explosive plays is something we’ve yearned for throughout the season and delivered on today,” Wilson said. “I’m proud of those guys, I thought they played well and I thought they gave us a chance to win this game.”
As the dust settles from the bowl loss, LSU’s roster remains in flux. Thirteen players have already entered the transfer portal, and that number is expected to grow. But amid the uncertainty, Kiffin and his staff have a chance to establish some continuity - and maybe even keep a few key pieces in place.
Van Buren. Berry.
Green. Parker.
These aren’t just names on a depth chart - they’re potential cornerstones of the next era of LSU football. Whether they stay or go will go a long way in determining how quickly Kiffin can get this program back to SEC contention.
One thing’s for sure: the next few weeks in Baton Rouge are going to be busy.