Miami Hurricanes QB Tyler Van Dyke has propensity for deep throws

Miami Hurricanes freshman Tyler Van Dyke is the Hurricanes quarterback of the future. In high school and in Miami’s second scrimmage, the Connecticut native has shown the ability to throw accurate deep passes.

Freshman quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was an eye-opening 5-6 for 205 yards, one touchdown and one interception during the second Miami Hurricanes scrimmage on Saturday night. Van Dyke has shown a propensity for being able to complete the deep ball during his high school career at Suffield Academy in Connecticut.

Van Dyke completed 290 passes in 497 attempts for 4,643 yards, 39 TDs and 16 interceptions in 32 prep games for Suffield. Van Dyke averaged 16.1 yards per completion and 9.34 yards per attempt in high school. Those numbers show Van Dyke throws an accurate deep ball. Under Rhett Lashlee, Van Dyke should thrive.

Shane Buechele finished tied for 34th last season averaging 8.0 yards per attempt playing in the Lashlee offense at SMU. Heisman Trophy runner-up Jalen Hurts of Oklahoma led FBS in 2019 with an average of 11.3 yards per attempt. The Miami offense will take more deep shots in the Lashlee offense than last season.

Junior wide receiver Dee Wiggins said earlier this summer that the Miami Hurricanes should be expected to take more deep shots in the new offense and that they just have to take advantage of it. Van Dyke will not likely get a chance to start until the 2021 or 2022 season, but his skill set fits more long passes.

"“Way more deep shots [than last season]. You have to take advantage of it. Everybody feels comfortable with the offense.”"

Van Dyke has grown increasingly more comfortable during the three weeks of training camp and the two scrimmages Miami has held thus far. With D’Eriq King locked in as the first-team QB and N’Kosi Perry probably second, Van Dyke is likely competing to be the third-team QB with redshirt junior Tate Martell.

Lashlee likes the progress that Van Dyke took in the second scrimmage. Continuously learning is important for any player and the Hurricanes offensive coordinator seems pleased with the development that Van Dyke has shown from the first to the second scrimmage and appearing more comfortable.

"“I think Tyler Van Dyke took a nice step in the second scrimmage…You look at a young guy in scrimmage one that got his feet wet and did some good things, but I thought I saw a good jump in the second scrimmage. You could tell he was much more comfortable.”"

Without a QB commited to the 2021 Miami recruiting class, the future for Van Dyke becomes more critical. Miami could get an extra season from Perry and Martell in 2022 with the additional year of eligibility granted by the NCAA or they could choose to graduate and possible transfer. King has the option of returning in 2021.

However the QB unit breaks down for Miami over the next few seasons, beyond 2020, Van Dyke is showing the ability to be in the mix to be a long term starter. The skills that Van Dyke has and as a multi-sport athlete in high school portend for a bright future for the New Englander.