ESPN names Tyler Van Dyke early 2022 Heisman Trophy candidate

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke had a breakout 2021 season as a second-year freshman. Van Dyke is mentioned as a potential 2022 Heisman Trophy candidate. ESPN named Van Dyke one of the “The up-and-comers” among their “Top Heisman Trophy contenders for 2022 college football season.”

Van Dyke completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 2,931 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions. After taking over for injured starter D’Eriq King, Van Dyke accomplished those numbers in nine starts. Van Dyke will have to pass a list of seven players ESPN lists as top contenders led by 2021 winner Bryce Young.

Young will attempt to become the second player to win the Heisman Trophy twice and in back-to-back years. Archie Griffin of Ohio State won in 1974 and 1975. Griffin’s brother Keith was a running back on the 1983 Miami National Championship team. Three players in the past 10 years have had a chance to repeat.

Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M in 2012, Jameis Winston of Florida State in 2013 and Lamar Jackson of Louisville in 2016 returned after winning the Heisman Trophy. Jackson was a finalist who finished third in 2017. Young will be a prohibitive favorite to repeat in 2022. Van Dyke has to reach another level as a Heisman contender.

"The up-and-comersMiami QB Tyler Van DykeTo say Miami fans are excited about 2022 would be like saying Ed Reed played hard. It’s true — just a massive understatement.And yes, new AD Dan Radakovich and new head coach Mario Cristobal are big reasons for all that enthusiasm in Coral Gables, but perhaps the biggest piece to the puzzle is Van Dyke, who came on as a replacement for D’Eriq King in September and quickly blossomed into one of the country’s most prolific passers.Van Dyke ended the season by throwing for 300 yards and three touchdowns in six straight games, winning five of them."

Young completed 68.0 percent of his passes for 4,322 yards, 43 TDs and four interceptions. Young is sixth nationally averaging 332.5 passing yards per game. In nine starts, Tyler Van Dyke is averaging 325.6 yards per game. That would rank eighth just behind Young and Heisman Trophy finalist Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh.

Van Dyke is currently 13th averaging 293.6 yards per game. That includes two incomplete pass attempts in the loss to Alabama in the season opener. Van Dyke is averaging nearly double the interceptions per game Young has. The development for Van Dyke will depend largely on the new Miami offensive coordinator.

Thrust into being the starter Tyler Van Dyke has had an amazing season. Van Dyke earned five ACC Rookie of the Week awards on his way to being named the ACC Rookie of the Year. Quarterbacks C.J. Stroud who was a 2021 Heisman Trophy Finalist and Caleb Williams of Oklahoma are also listed as 2022 Heisman top contenders.

Phil Jurkovec of Boston College, Grayson McCall of Coastal Carolina, Devin Leary of North Carolina State who Tyler Van Dyke outdueled this season are other QBs listed as up-and-comers. Being mentioned as a candidate is a good start for Van Dyke. Miami has marquee games at Clemson and Texas A&M next season.