Securing a seasoned quarterback from the transfer portal ranked high on the agenda for Wisconsin Badgers’ head football coach Luke Fickell. The departure of Tanner Mordecai post-bowl game, coupled with the team’s offensive struggles in their debut year under Phil Longo’s air raid system, underscored the urgency to bolster the quarterback position.
In a bid to inject vigor into their downfield passing game, the Badgers enlisted the services of Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke. With 28 career starts to his credit, Van Dyke emerged as a strong contender for the starting role. During his tenure with the Hurricanes last season, he amassed 2,703 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, 23 big-time throws, and 12 interceptions.
According to Pro Football Focus, Van Dyke, hailing from Connecticut, clinched the title of the second-highest-graded Power 5 transfer QB this offseason with a notable grade of 85.9, trailing only Dillon Gabriel’s move from Oklahoma to Oregon.
Van Dyke’s performance earned him the 20th highest grade nationwide among quarterbacks who played at least 50% of the snaps. Pending a smooth transition, Tyler Van Dyke is poised to take the helm as the Wisconsin football program’s starting quarterback next season.
With Van Dyke securing a commendable Pro Football Focus grade of 85.9, considered high quality by their standards, expectations are high. However, it’s imperative to note that a stellar grade doesn’t guarantee an instant turnaround for the Wisconsin Badgers’ offense. Nonetheless, Van Dyke’s arrival presents several avenues for potential improvements in the passing game.
Van Dyke boasts an impressive record of 11 career games with over 300 passing yards, a milestone Wisconsin Badgers football didn’t achieve until the previous season’s bowl game. Notably, PFF bestowed upon him an elite grade of 93.3 for throws of 20+ yards downfield.
Moreover, his ability to release the ball swiftly offers a strategic advantage. According to PFF, Van Dyke’s average release time stands at 2.64 seconds, outpacing both Mordecai (3.06) and Braedyn Locke (2.74) from the previous season.
Data analysis suggests that Van Dyke could serve as an upgrade in terms of pocket navigation and evading pressure. He concluded the previous season with a career-best pressure-to-sack percentage of 11.9%, outperforming Mordecai and Locke, who finished with 16.2% and 18.4%, respectively, for the Wisconsin football team.
However, it’s worth acknowledging that the 6-foot-4, 215-pound quarterback is not without his flaws, evident by his availability in the transfer portal. Nevertheless, with adjustments to the offensive scheme by Phil Longo, Van Dyke could prove to be a valuable asset at the quarterback position in the upcoming season.
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