NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Wisconsin veteran quarterback Tyler Van Dyke spent a full month in the transfer portal before committing to SMU on Jan. 8.
The former Badger has three-plus years of high-level starting experience under his belt, highlighted by a breakthrough 2021 season as a redshirt freshman at Miami. He also, however, is coming off a torn ACL suffered in Wisconsin’s Week 3 loss to Alabama. That latter reportedly played a role in his transfer destination.
Related: Recapping Wisconsin football’s winter transfer portal movement
ESPN’s David Hale took to X on Thursday to relay the following quote from SMU coach Rhett Lashlee: “We didn’t bring (Van Dyke) in to be the starter … or the backup.”
Hale wrote (Van Dyke is) still rehabbing and unlikely (to be) ready for the start of the season. (Probably a) redshirt year to train and rehab before one final go at a starting job in 2026.”
If true, this update adds a tremendous amount of clarity to Van Dyke’s transfer decision.
SMU returns starting quarterback Kevin Jennings, who is fresh off a College Football Playoff appearance. Jennings excelled in 2024, completing 65% of his passes for 3,245 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He added 354 rushing yards and five rushing scores. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
After many questioned why Van Dyke would commit somewhere with a locked-in starter, his potentially sitting out 2025 to find a starting job in 2026 makes sense. That is supported by Van Dyke’s preexisting connection to SMU: Lashlee was his offensive coordinator during his breakout 2021 season with the Hurricanes.
Talked to Rhett Lashlee about the addition of Tyler Van Dyke at QB… “We didn’t bring him in to be the starter… or the backup.” TVD still rehabbing & unlikely ready for start of season. Prob redshirt year to train & rehab before 1 final…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/report-wisconsin-transfer-quarterback-may-142625378.html
Author : Badgers Wire
Publish date : 2025-01-17 14:26:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
