The Wisconsin Badgers finished with a 7-5 record in the first year of head coach Luke Fickell’s tenure with the program. As they look to improve in the 2024 season, they will do so with a different quarterback at the helm.
Wisconsin had a revolving door at the quarterback this past season. Both sixth-year quarterback Tanner Mordecai and freshman quarterback Braedyn Locke started games for the Badgers last season. And neither exactly lit the world on fire with their play.
This led the Badgers to look elsewhere in the transfer portal. According to 247 Sports, former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke has decided to transfer to Wisconsin.
BREAKING: Miami transfer QB Tyler Van Dyke has committed to Wisconsin. 🏈https://t.co/tp65x6eJHQ pic.twitter.com/n0NsrXqHun
— 247Sports (@247Sports) December 12, 2023
Van Dyke has started each of the last three years for the Hurricanes, most recently throwing for 2,703 yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on the year. He led all full-time starters in the ACC in completion percentage for the 2023 season, completing 65.8 percent of his passes.
Wisconsin fans chimed in on the acquisition of Van Dyke on social media.
He’s a one read guy, we shouldn’t be happy about this
— Alex Schommer (@Schomminator) December 12, 2023
Tyler Van Dyke to Wisconsin (on paper) is a great fit. Lots of talk about his turnovers but very little about his 3 different OCs. Getting back into a style of offense that made him rookie of the year in the ACC
Full thoughts: https://t.co/1OKVBrth8S pic.twitter.com/0IZICCkEjZ
— J.D. PicKell (@jdpickell) December 12, 2023
Tyler Van Dyke brings 28 career starts to Madison. https://t.co/y1OBdoHrTO
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 12, 2023
Wisconsin wanted Tyler Van Dyke out of high school went he was rated the country’s 204th best prospect.
Now, after a season where he threw for 2,703 yards, 19 TDs and a 65.8 completion percentage, the #Badgers have their guy with two years remaining and trending upward.
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) December 12, 2023
Congratulations @Tyler_Van_Dyke! @BadgerFootball got a great one! https://t.co/N4iEGSBboo
— Shawn O'Dare (@ShawnODare) December 12, 2023
Tyler Van Dyke’s experience will be valuable for the #Badgers as they navigate a tough 2024 season.
With matchups against Alabama, USC, Penn State, and Oregon coming up, bringing in a QB with 32 total games of experience with 28 starts against solid completion is a plus.
— Jake Maier (@JakeJMaier) December 12, 2023
Tanner Mordecai will be moving on with his final year of eligibility coming in 2023. So that means that Van Dyke will likely compete with Braedyn Locke for the starting quarterback job next year.
Given Van Dyke’s significant edge in experience over Locke, you would have to expect that he will have the upper hand in that battle going into spring camp.
On paper, it certainly seems like a solid addition to a Wisconsin roster that desperately needs an increase in production for their passing game.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.