Mario Cristobal calls Tyler Van Dyke returning a tremendous blessing

Oct 30, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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When Mario Cristobal was hired as head coach in December, he called Tyler Van Dyke the best quarterback in college football. During ACC Kickoff Days in Charlotte on Thursday, Cristobal responded to a question about Van Dyke returning by calling it a tremendous blessing. Van Dyke is the foundation for Miami in 2022.

With an entirely new staff in 2022 except for tight ends coach Stephen Field, Tyler Van Dyke gives Miami stability, particularly on offense. A year after entering the season as the primary backup, Van Dyke is the established leader entering the 2022 season. Miami returns 14 starters in 2022.

Cristobal and his staff added 11 transfers for 2022 in addition to the 15 freshmen that were signed. Running back Henry Parrish and wide receiver Frank Ladson are expected to have an impact on offense. As many as five transfers could start for Miami on defense. Van Dyke has had the offseason to work with Ladson and Parrish.

Miami is expected to have a more diversified offense under new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. That should have Van Dyke improve in his first full season as a starter. Van Dyke started nine games after D’Eriq King was lost for the season in 2021. Van Dyke at QB has helped ease the transition for the new Miami coaching staff.

"“When you are in a program like Miami, and you get to have these unbelievable young men and you spoke about or asked about the quarterback in particular, being the most important position on the field in terms of operating an offense, it’s a tremendous blessing.We made it no secret, we recognized instantly and from far away because, obviously, you watch college football at every chance you get, is that Tyler Van Dyke in that quarterback room is very special.You have a natural leader that’s one of your hardest workers and competing to be recognized as the hardest worker that demands as much of himself as he does of anybody else.That type of mentality and that work ethic he has also displayed in the classroom and the way he approaches community service and everything he does. It’s a tremendous benefit, a huge asset for the university and the program, and certainly makes the adjustment a lot more simple.”"

Van Dyke has been on the list of Heisman Trophy contenders in 2022. The ACC has a plethora of good QBs. Being named All-ACC at QB in 2022 will be a big accomplishment. Over the last six games of the 2021 season Van Dyke was in the top 10 in FBS for QBR and touchdowns to interception ratio.

Next. Tyler Van Dyke on Davey O'Brien Award watch list. dark

Van Dyke will work with Gattis and new QB coach Frank Ponce. It will be a change from working with Rhett Lashlee who was the OC and QB coach for Miami the last two seasons. Van Dyke will have a mostly different receiving corps to work with in 2021. Gattis should help develop the Miami WRs as the position coach.