Wisconsin enters the 2024 season with a similar situation at quarterback to what it had entering 2023 — an established veteran transfer starting under center while younger recruits continue to develop in Phil Longo’s system.
In 2023, that veteran starter was former Oklahoma and SMU QB Tanner Mordecai. In 2024, it is former Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke.
Related: Position battles to follow as Wisconsin Badgers begin 2024 fall training camp
Van Dyke committed to the Badgers back on Dec. 12 after entering the transfer portal at the end of the Hurricanes’ 2023 regular season. He joins the program with three years of starting experience, including totals of 7,469 passing yards, 54 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.
His best season came as a redshirt freshman in 2021 under former Miami head coach Manny Diaz. Van Dyke completed 62.3% of his passes that season for 2,931 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions, numbers strong enough for him to be named ACC Rookie of the Year.
Mild struggles followed in 2022 and 2023, somewhat due to constant turnover on Miami’s offensive coaching staff.
The veteran enters 2024 looking for a fresh start and a stable situation to help him rekindle his 2021 form. He believes he found that in Phil Longo’s air raid offense.
When asked why he chose the Badgers, Van Dyke referenced Miami’s matchup with Phil Longo’s North Carolina Tar Heels during his true freshman season in 2020.
Miami was 8-1 entering the last-season contest, ranked No. 9 in the nation. But North Carolina won the game 62-26 thanks to 778 total yards from Longo’s offense (554 rushing, 224 passing).
Tyler Van Dyke on transferring to Wisconsin: "When (Phil) Longo was at UNC and I was at Miami, they beat us 62-20, ran for 600, passed for 300. So when I hit the portal and he reached out, I wanted to be a part of that" #Badgers pic.twitter.com/BocQVelr3Q
— Andrew Bandstra (@andrewbandstra) July 29, 2024
Longo’s strong impression mattered when Van Dyke was weighing his transfer options.
The veteran quarterback needs a resurgent season to establish his NFL draft stock. Wisconsin, meanwhile, needs strong quarterback play to experience a resurgent season of its own. This quarterback-program relationship has a chance to be mutually beneficial.
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2024 Preseason Previews
Big Ten Team Previews: Indiana Hoosiers — Purdue Boilermakers — Illinois Fighting Illini — Northwestern Wildcats — Minnesota Golden Gophers — Nebraska Cornhuskers — Iowa Hawkeyes — Rutgers Scarlet Knights — Maryland Terrapins — Michigan State Spartans — USC Trojans — UCLA Bruins — Washington Huskies — Michigan Wolverines — Penn State Nittany Lions — Ohio State Buckeyes — Oregon Ducks — Wisconsin Badgers
Big Ten Position Previews: Quarterbacks — Running Backs — Wide Receivers — Offensive Lines — Tight Ends — Defensive Line — Linebackers — Cornerbacks — Safeties
Wisconsin Position Previews: Quarterback — Running Back