Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke responds to speculation about his future
University of Miami starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke on Tuesday spoke to the media in a Zoom conference and addressed speculation about his future without assuring that he’ll be back in 2024.
Van Dyke, a fourth-year junior who in 2021 was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year, has had a challenging season and will soon be faced with a decision of whether to return to the Hurricanes for his final season or instead transfer to another program. He also could enter the NFL Draft.
If Van Dyke chooses to leave UM and skip a bowl game, Miami would be left with one healthy scholarship quarterback — sophomore Jacurri Brown — who has not played this season, appears to be redshirting and whose own future is not publicly known. UM lists four walk-on quarterbacks on its roster. None have played this season.
The Hurricanes (6-5, 2-5 ACC) are preparing for their final regular-season game at noon Friday at Boston College (6-5, 3-4).
Here are the questions Van Dyke was asked, with his answers:
Have you decided your future plans? Are you returning to Miami?
“Still day-to-day,” Van Dyke said. “Focused on this practice, tomorrow’s practice and the game on Friday. I’m just staying in the moment. That helps me play my best football, staying in the moment and not thinking about the future. So, yeah, just staying in the moment right now.”
Is that a decision you make with your family when it comes time?
“Yeah. I think it’s a decision everyone makes with their family, no matter what situation you’re in, whether it’s taking a new job in the corporate world or whatever,” he said. “You talk to people that you’re close to and see what the best options for you are I guess.”
Regardless of whether you stay at UM next year, turn pro or go to another college, can you say with certainty that you would play in a UM bowl game?
“Like I said before, I’m in this present moment right now. When I start thinking about the future, that’s when I don’t play my best football. So I’m just taking this day hour-by-hour, worry about the next practice and then just focus on this game,” Van Dyke said. “That’s all I’m worried about right now.”
Van Dyke is 196 of 297 passes (66 percent) for 2,413 yards and 17 touchdowns, with 12 interceptions. He has been sacked 10 times.
Once rated as high as No. 2 nationally in passing efficiency, he is now No. 41, though his decline coincided with injuries he sustained to his right knee, ribs and back during a road loss Oct. 14 at North Carolina.
Van Dyke was benched as the starter at then-No. 4 Florida State after throwing 10 interceptions in the previous four games, but regained his starting job last week against No. 9 Louisville. UM lost both games, but Van Dyke played well in the 38-31 loss to Louisville, going 24 of 39 (61.5) for 327 yards and a touchdown, with no turnovers.
Van Dyke is now ranked 36th in the FBS in passing yards per game (241.3), 41st in passing yards per completion (12.3), 44th in passing yards and 52nd in passing touchdowns.
For his career to date, he has 7,179 passing yards, 52 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.
