Wisconsin’s current focus is its Week 14 rivalry matchup against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
The game has significant implications. Not only is it another battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe, but the Badgers’ bowl eligibility is also at stake. A loss and Wisconsin will miss a bowl game for the first time since 2001.
Related: Braelon Allen, former Wisconsin players react to Badgers historic loss to Nebraska
While Friday’s game is the obvious focus, some attention is still being paid to the future of seniors who may be eligible for another season. Luke Fickell said on Monday that he and his staff had conversations with some of those players over the Badgers’ recent bye week.
One of those players: quarterback Tyler Van Dyke.
Van Dyke transferred to Wisconsin after four years at Miami. He threw for 422 yards and one touchdown in the first two-plus games of the 2024 season before tearing his ACL during the opening drive of the Badgers’ Week 3 game against Alabama.
The veteran quarterback may be eligible for a medical redshirt, if he pursues that path. Fickell addressed that situation when meeting with the media on Monday:
“Yea, I sat down with Tyler [Van Dyke],” Fickell said. “He’s got a long way to go. His mindset is he thinks he would like to have another year. But he still doesn’t know how well he’s going to heal, how fast he’s going to heal. He’s obviously feeling better and he moving around. But there’s still a long way to go for him. I think there are some things that are on his mind.”
Fickell did not rule out the possibility that Van Dyke is back in 2025. Citing that ‘his mindset is he thinks he would like to have another year’ makes that option sound like a real possibility.
Wisconsin is currently set to enter 2025 with Van Dyke, Braedyn Locke, Mabrey Mettauer, class of 2025 three-star Landyn Locke and class of 2025 four-star Carter Smith in its quarterback room. The transfer portal is sure to make that group look different come spring practice.
All that is known now is that we don’t know how the Badgers will line up next season. We don’t even know who will be on the sideline leading the offense and calling the plays.
A healthy and effective Van Dyke may be the team’s best chance at a breakthrough season. His decision will be one to watch as the offseason begins.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.