Tag: Tyler Van Dyke

Wisconsin quarterback enters NCAA transfer portal

Wisconsin will have a new starting quarterback in 2025

Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is entering the transfer portal, according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

The veteran played in just three games with the Badgers after transferring in last offseason. He suffered a torn ACL during the first drive of the team’s Week 3 loss to Alabama and missed the remainder of the season.

Related: Major takeaways from Wisconsin hiring Kansas’ Jeff Grimes as its new offensive coordinator

The move comes as the portal officially opens on Dec. 9. Van Dyke is the 14th Wisconsin scholarship player to enter, the 16th overall.

His potential return was a significant point of conversation after Wisconsin’s 2024 season concluded with a Week 14 loss to Minnesota. He has one year of eligibility remaining, but may not be fully ready for the 2025 season as he recovers from the ACL injury.

Luke Fickell addressed that status last week, saying ‘We just don’t know. From what he’s told me, he wants to continue to play college football. It is a tough situation for him and for all of us because there’s just so many unknowns with his injury and how long of a recovery his injury is…I love Tyler, Tyler’s done nothing than be dedicated to what we’ve asked him to do. He’s been at every game, he’s been at every practice. That does mean something. We’re going to have to figure out where the progress is and what the prognosis looks like for him. It’s a position and situation that we can’t end up like we did this year…There’s a lot of unknowns.’

Those comments came as the program was set to hire a new offensive coordinator, which was recently revealed to be Kansas’ Jeff Grimes. A new leader at the helm of the offense and Van Dyke’s unknown health appear to be significant factors in this move.

The veteran quarterback started for three seasons at Miami before transferring to Wisconsin. He totaled 7,469 passing yards, 54 touchdowns and 23 interceptions during that time, including an ACC Rookie of the Year breakout season as a redshirt freshman in 2021.

Injuries and inconsistency has plagued Van Dyke since that breakout 2021 season. He threw for just 422 yards and one touchdown in the first two-plus games of the 2024 season with the Badgers.

His departure means Wisconsin is almost guaranteed to have a new starting quarterback in 2025. Grimes and Wisconsin’s potential upcoming quarterbacks coach hire will likely want to reshape the room to fit the new system.

Wisconsin’s current quarterbacks entering 2025 are Braedyn Locke, Mabrey Mettauer, three-star freshman Landyn Locke and four-star freshman Carter Smith. Expect that group to see names added over the next few weeks.

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Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell discusses Tyler Van Dyke’s future with the Badgers

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell discusses Tyler Van Dyke’s future with the Badgers

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.

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Wisconsin Badgers vs. USC Trojans: Series history, all-time record

Wisconsin Badgers vs. USC Trojans: Series history, all-time record

Wisconsin (2-1) will travel to face No. 13 USC (2-1) on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT in Los Angeles. It will be the eighth all-time meeting between the two programs and their first since the two teams squared off in the 2015 Holiday Bowl.

The Badgers have gone 1-6 against the Trojans to this point, though they won that Holiday Bowl matchup 23-21. That was the first matchup between the schools since 1966.

Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave completed 18 of 27 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown while running back Corey Clement added 67 yards and a score on 19 carries. The victory secured the team’s second straight bowl win, a streak that ultimately reached five years in a row (2014-2018).

Prior to the Holiday Bowl in 2015, all six of Wisconsin’s prior contests with USC came from 1953-1966, all of which they lost.

USC enters Week 5 of the 2024 college season 2-1 on the year, dropping their contest this past weekend 27-24 on the road to Michigan in a battle of two ranked teams. The Wolverines were able to churn out 290 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground in the game.

Wisconsin will be entering Saturday’s contest in Los Angeles with Braedyn Locke as their new starting quarterback, replacing Tyler Van Dyke after he suffered a season-ending knee injury versus Alabama on Sept. 14. The Badgers will likely look to rely on their running game similar to Michigan to take down the Trojans in Week 5.

Luke Fickell discusses QB Tyler Van Dyke’s possible return to Badgers in 2025

Luke Fickell discusses QB Tyler Van Dyke possible return to Badgers in 2025

There are more pressing matters to the Wisconsin Badgers than whether veteran quarterback Tyler Van Dyke will use a medical redshirt year and return to the program in 2025.

The team is 2-1 through three games, though it hasn’t shown the improvements many expected to see after a sub-par 2023 season. It now begins Big Ten play this Saturday at No. 13 USC. A strong showing during the conference schedule is pivotal to the future of the Luke Fickell era with the program.

Related: Wisconsin updated depth chart for Week 5 vs. USC includes new starters at quarterback, tight end

Nevertheless, there is the future-looking question of Wisconsin’s quarterback situation entering 2025.

Van Dyke would be eligible to use a medical redshirt season since his injury occurred during Wisconsin’s third game of the year. He could return, Wisconsin could find a veteran transfer for a third consecutive season, or Braedyn Locke could take the job.

A lot will be decided by Locke’s play as the Badgers’ starter through the rest of 2024.

Fickell addressed the situation when meeting with the media on Monday. 247Sports Evan Flood noted that the Wisconsin head coach left the door open for Van Dyke’s potential return.

Flood also noted the same for veteran defensive lineman James Thompson Jr., who suffered a significant injury during training camp.

Wisconsin has badly missed Thompson Jr. through its first three weeks of the season. His potential return in 2025 would be significant news as Fickell continues to develop his recently-recruited defensive personnel.

Van Dyke’s return, meanwhile, should be revisited after the season concludes. Wisconsin should not hesitate to move to Locke long-term if he excels through the rest of this season.

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Alabama star QB honored with multiple weekly awards after win over Wisconsin

Alabama star honored with multiple weekly awards after win over Wisconsin

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe was the recipient of two Player of the Week awards for his performance against the Wisconsin Badgers in the Crimson Tide’s 42-10 win on Saturday.

Milroe won the Maxwell Award Player of the Week as well as the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week. He was recognized for the awards after completing 12 of 17 pass attempts for 196 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 75 rushing yards and two scores on 14 carries against the Badgers.

After three weeks of the college football season, Milroe has tallied 590 passing yards and eight scores through the air while also compiling 156 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Additionally, his 77.1 QBR ranks 28th in the nation.

In terms of Wisconsin quarterbacks, the team’s starter Tyler Van Dyke has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee Saturday. Luke Fickell’s squad will now turn to Braedyn Locke to take over as the starter beginning with their road matchup at USC on Sept. 28.

https://twitter.com/CBartWSJ/status/1836074756220604727

How is former Wisconsin QB Nick Evers performing as the starter at UConn?

How is former Wisconsin QB Nick Evers performing as the starter at UConn?

The Wisconsin Badgers were dealt a massive blow during their 42-10 blowout loss to No. 4 Alabama on Saturday: Starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke went down with a knee injury, which was later confirmed to be a torn ACL.

The Badgers now turn to redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke for the remainder of 2024. The backup: true freshman Mabrey Mettauer (three-star recruit in class of 2024).

Related: After losing QB Tyler Van Dyke, what makes this Wisconsin football season a success?

Van Dyke’s unfortunate injury is the second time in as many seasons that Luke Fickell’s starting quarterback has gone down. 2023 starter Tanner Mordecai broke his hand in mid-October last year, though he was able to return for the final stretch of the season.

The injury tests Wisconsin’s organizational depth at the position. More than anything, it will test OC Phil Longo’s ability to adapt to a new player at the helm.

The move to Locke, to no surprise, is leading many to wonder how former Badger QB Nick Evers is performing as UConn’s starter this season.

Evers transferred in with Locke during the 2023 offseason. Both were redshirt freshmen and former four-star recruits when they joined the Badgers. Both are now starting as redshirt sophomores. Evers transferred to UConn after the 2023 season concluded after he was buried on the depth chart behind Van Dyke and Locke.

It is safe to say his start at UConn has been less-than-stellar.

The former Badger is 21 of 46 passing for 208 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions and a 44.7 QBR  through two starts. He’s also added 73 rushing yards on 16 carries.

The former top recruit was injured in the Huskies’ Week 1 loss to Maryland, then returned for the team’s narrow loss to Duke on Saturday. While there were signs of improvement against Duke, he has mostly struggled during his time on the field.

The one former Badger at UConn who is having immense success is WR Skyler Bell. Bell has 14 catches for 304 receiving yards and a touchdown through three weeks. That’s an average of more than 21 yards per catch, and more than 100 yards per game.

Bell is Evers’ top target when in the game. While the duo has put up solid numbers, it would be a stretch to say both would be doing so at Wisconsin.

Evers, at best, would currently be the backup if he had stayed in Madison. His transfer elsewhere should not be used against Luke Fickell or his staff — it’s the reality of the current age of the sport. It’s challenging to build depth in the quarterback room given how easy it is to find playing time elsewhere.

That leads to injuries only having more significance — a reality Wisconsin is currently dealing with.

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Wisconsin starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke out for season with knee injury

Wisconsin starter Tyler Van Dyke out for season with knee injury

Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke will miss the remainder of the 2024 season with a significant knee injury, per multiple reports.

BadgerExtra’s Colten Bartholomew was first on the news that Van Dyke suffered a torn ACL in his right leg. ESPN’s Pete Thamel and others have confirmed the report.

This news arrives two days after Wisconsin fell, 42-10, to No. 4 Alabama at Camp Randall Stadium. Van Dyke, three games into his first year as a Badger, suffered the injury while being tackled on a third-down play during UW’s opening offensive drive.

Shortly thereafter, Van Dyke departed for the locker room and returned to the field equipped with crutches and a brace.

Wisconsin will turn to redshirt sophomore quarterback Braedyn Locke for the rest of the 2024 campaign. Locke played the remainder of Saturday’s contest against Alabama after Van Dyke’s injury, completing 13 of 26 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.

Van Dyke transferred to Wisconsin from Miami following the 2023 campaign. He won the 2021 ACC Rookie of the Year as a redshirt freshman with the Hurricanes. Many hoped his transition to Phil Longo’s Wisconsin offense would return the veteran to that top-end form. Unfortunately for everybody involved, that will not come to fruition this season.

Wisconsin moves into its bye week needing to prepare Locke for the full-time job. His first full game of action this season will come Sept. 28 at No. 11 USC.

Photo gallery from Wisconsin’s lopsided loss to No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide

Photo gallery from Wisconsin’s 42-10 loss to Alabama

The Wisconsin Badgers football team lost to Alabama 42-10 at home on Saturday. It was the team’s first loss of the year, dropping its record to 2-1 on the young season.

Wisconsin’s starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke went down with a leg injury on the Badgers’ opening possession. He was replaced by redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke for the remainder of the game.

Locke ended his day with 125 passing yards and a touchdown while completing 13 of 26 passes. The Badgers’ running game never found consistent success, with both Chez Mellusi and Cade Yacamelli losing back-breaking fumbles.

On the flip side, Alabama was in full command after falling behind 3-0 to start the game. Quarterback Jalen Milroe, a Heisman Trophy candidate, had himself a day. He compiled 196 passing yards and three touchdowns on 12 of 17 passing. He also added 75 rushing yards and two scores on 14 carries.

The Badgers will look to regroup during the bye week as they prepare to travel to Los Angeles, California to face USC on Sept. 28. In the meantime, here are some of the best pictures from Wisconsin’s Week 3 loss to the Crimson Tide:

Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell shares update on QB Tyler Van Dyke’s injury

Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell shares update on injury to starting QB Tyler Van Dyke

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell shared a less-than-positive update on the injury to starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke after the Badgers’ blowout loss to Alabama.

“I don’t think it looks real good for us, for him,” Fickell said about the senior quarterback’s status.

Related: Takeaways from Wisconsin’s demoralizing loss to No. 4 Alabama

Van Dyke’s knee injury occurred during the Badgers’ first offensive drive of the game against Alabama. He was injured while being tackled to the ground during a third-and-7 scramble, though it appeared he injured his knee before the defender drove him to the turf.

The Miami transfer quarterback spent little time in the sideline medical tent before being carted to the locker room, a bad sign for his long-term status.

That status has become clearer with every passing moment. Van Dyke first emerged from the locker room with crutches and his entire right leg in a brace during the second half. Fickell’s postgame comments only increased the likelihood that Van Dyke will be out indefinitely.

Backup quarterback Braedyn Locke went 13 of 26 for 125 yards and a touchdown in Van Dyke’s absence. He led the Badgers offense to only seven points against a tough Alabama defense, as mistakes and back-breaking turnovers defined much of the afternoon.

It is increasingly likely that Locke will be Wisconsin’s starter for the foreseeable future.

The Badgers enter their bye week before beginning Big Ten play on Sept. 26 with a road trip to No. 11 USC.

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BREAKING: Wisconsin starting QB Tyler Van Dyke injures knee vs. Alabama, carted to locker room

Wisconsin starting QB Tyler Van Dyke injures knee vs. Alabama, leaves game

Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke injured his knee during the Badgers’ first offensive drive against No. 4 Alabama on Saturday.

Those in attendance immediately noted that the veteran quarterback was “not putting any weight on his right leg.” He entered the medical tent, then was quickly carted into the locker room.

Related: Wisconsin leaves two key players off pregame injury report vs. Alabama

The injury occurred as Van Dyke scrambled right on a 3rd-and-7 sequence. He was tackled hard out of bounds, though he appeared to injure his right knee before hitting the ground.

Backup quarterback redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke entered the game in Van Dyke’s absence. Wisconsin went on to kick a field goal on the drive to take an early 3-0 lead.

UPDATE: Fox sideline reporter Jenny Taft confirmed that it was Van Dyke’s right knee. He was carted to the locker room for further imaging and evaluation.

UPDATE: Van Dyke was officially ruled out for the rest of the game.

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