Mississippi

Mississippi State QB Van Buren to enter portal

Published

1 year ago

December 11, 2024

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Mississippi State QB Van Buren to enter portal

Max Olson, ESPN Staff WriterDec 10, 2024, 11:00 PM ET
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- Covers the Big 12
- Joined ESPN in 2012
- Graduate of the University of Nebraska

Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, he announced Tuesday.

Van Buren started eight games during his true freshman season and threw for 1,886 yards on 55% passing with 16 total touchdowns and seven turnovers for the Bulldogs (2-10, 0-8).

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound passer from St. Frances Academy in Maryland had two 300-yard performances for the Bulldogs, including 306 yards and three touchdown passes in a 41-31 road loss against now-No. 2 Georgia.

Van Buren was the No. 57 overall recruit in the ESPN 300 for 2024. He decommitted from Oregon in December 2023 to sign with Mississippi State and play for new head coach Jeff Lebby.

Van Buren took over as the Bulldogs’ starter this season after quarterback Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the Bulldogs’ 45-28 loss to Florida on Sept. 21.

Shapen announced earlier Tuesday that he plans to return to Mississippi State as a sixth-year senior in 2025. The former Baylor transfer has started 27 games over his career.

Lebby is also in the process of recruiting one of his former pupils, Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold, to Starkville. The former five-star recruit entered the transfer portal Monday after one season as the Sooners’ starter.

Following a winless run through SEC play, the Bulldogs have had 22 scholarship players enter the transfer portal since the winter transfer window opened Monday.

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Mississippi

Forrest General Hospital raises flag for Mississippi Organ Recovery Association

Published

11 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Forrest General Hospital raises flag for Mississippi Organ Recovery Association

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – April 10 is Blue and Green Day, a day to honor the lives of those who have donated tissue, eyes and organs.

Medical professionals and the grieving family of Carter Bourque, an organ donor, gathered at Forrest General Hospital for the Mississippi Organ Recovery Association flag raising.

Kandise Courtney, Bourque’s mother, spoke today, saying her son Carter will always be remembered for donating life.

“I stand here not only to honor my son, but to remind others of the incredible power of giving life. I pray for families that are grieving like we are,” she said.

Courtney says that Carter’s story inspired others to become donors at a young age.

Forrest General Hospital’s development coordinator, Joel Stevens, became an organ donor at the age of 15.

He says that his decision was easy because he wanted to help save lives.

“I knew at 15 that I wanted to help people. If we have one donor, one organ donor can save up to eight lives through a life-saving transplant,” Stevens said. “Then if that person is also a tissue and eye donor, then they can save and help up to 75 lives through transplant.”

Members of MORA say there are many misconceptions surrounding organ donation.

“One of the biggest things I’ve heard is ‘Oh, if I’m an organ donor, they’re not going to save me,” said MORA family care specialist Anna McLaurin.

MORA says that hospitals are needed to save lives, and the donor’s health and well-being are a top priority throughout the process.

“With the opportunity to donate, if they do not save you, then we are unable to even offer the opportunity of donation, let alone save lives afterwards,” Organ recovery coordinator Camron Clark said.

Anybody who is looking to become a donor can register through the Department of Motor Vehicles when getting or renewing their license.

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Mississippi

Mississippi State football lands Ridgeland safety Trae’kerrion Collins

Published

23 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi State football lands Ridgeland safety Trae’kerrion Collins

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football landed its first four-star in the 2027 recruiting class.

Ridgeland safety Trae’kerrion Collins committed to the Bulldogs on April 9.

“I am grateful to the entire coaching staff for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to continue my academic and athletic career in Starkville,” Collins wrote on X. “I’m ready to work, compete, and represent the Bulldog family with pride.”

He picked MSU after decommitting from Ole Miss on Nov. 30. Collins holds numerous offers from power conference teams including Alabama, Georgia Tech, LSU and Michigan.

Collins is ranked No. 404 nationally, No. 12 in Mississippi and as the No. 12 safety, according to the 247Sports Composite.

Collins recorded 62 tackles in 2025 with five interceptions, two tackles for loss and one fumble recovery. He also had four receptions for 45 yards and one touchdown, plus 11 carries for 111 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Ridgeland (11-2) lost to Warren Central in the MSHAA Class 6A semifinals.