Wisconsin names Tyler Van Dyke starting QB

Tyler Van Dyke won the quarterback competition at Wisconsin.

Offensive coordinator Phil Longo announced the decision Wednesday. In choosing Van Dyke, Longo and head coach Luke Fickell are getting an experienced quarterback to lead the team into a new era of the Big Ten.

Van Dyke, part of the Class of 2020, began his college career at Miami and entered the transfer portal last Nov. 27. The Connecticut native committed to the Badgers on Dec. 12.

He was the Hurricanes' primary starter the past three seasons. In 2023, Van Dyke completed a career-high 65.8 percent of his passes but threw a career-high 12 interceptions for the Hurricanes, who went 7-5 in the regular season (3-5 Atlantic Coast Conference). He passed for 2,703 yards and 19 touchdowns.

His best season with Miami came in 2021, when he connected on 62.3 percent of his passes for 2,931 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions as a redshirt freshman. Van Dyke, now 23, was selected the ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year.

With the Badgers, Van Dyke bested redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke, who threw for 777 yards, five touchdowns and an interception in five games in 2023. Wisconsin was 1-3 when he started.

Fickell didn't give any indication about which way he was leaning when he spoke to reporters a few days ago.

"We've got two really good, really capable QBs now. I don't think anybody on this entire team would bat an eye at whoever is the QB," he said. "I haven't had it that since I've been a head coach, so I feel good about that."

The Badgers are coming off a 7-6 (5-4 Big Ten) season and open play at home Aug. 30 against Western Michigan. They have a tough schedule that includes Alabama at home on Sept. 14 and contests against Southern California and Oregon, both new to the Big Ten this season.

--Field Level Media