The theme of the answers given by Miami Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke during ACC Kickoff on Thursday was that confidence is what fueled his success during the 2021 season. Van Dyke became the Miami starting QB in week four last season and improved throughout the year.
Van Dyke enters the 2022 season as one of the most praised QBs in college football. The last six games of the season were historic for Van Dyke. Beginning with the 31-30 win versus North Carolina State, Van Dyke threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns as Miami won five of their final six games.
Miami won five of its last six to crawl out of a 2-4 record and finish 7-5. Only Joe Burrow during the College Football Playoff era since 2014 has thrown for three touchdowns and 300 yards in six straight games. Van Dyke finished the season with 2,931 yards, 25 TDs and six interceptions in nine starts.
While Van Dyke discussed multiple topics, the biggest theme was that confidence led to his 2021 success and how he will continue to lead in 2022. Van Dyke and the Miami offense are also learning a new system under new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. Van Dyke is also working with new QBs coach Frank Ponce.
"Q. What is your responsibility as a returning quarterback to help a new coaching staff kind of get established with the program?TYLER VAN DYKE: For me I would just say leading the team, making sure everyone is doing what they’ve got to do. Leadership is a big thing, especially for my position. It’s all about impacting guys and making sure they’ve got to do what they’ve got to do. It’s all about leadership."
Van Dyke had success connecting with 2021 leading receivers Mike Harley and Charleston Rambo. Harley set the Miami career record in receptions and Rambo set the single-season reception and yardage record. Key’Shawn Smith is the only Miami returning starting WR. Van Dyke will have to create new connections at WR.
"Q. You ended last season, the last four games of the regular season, with over 300 yards passing and three touchdowns in each of those games in a season where you didn’t expect to necessarily be out there as early as you were. What can you say about what was clicking at the end of last year, and how do you build on that?TYLER VAN DYKE: Before the season I always prepare like I was a starter. I’m always watching extra film and doing what I have to do in case the opportunity came. I think the biggest thing is confidence. You can’t play football or especially quarterback without confidence.That was the biggest thing for me, and I had my team. They had my back. We just rallied behind the entire team.Q. When you got on the field last season, I think a lot of people were wondering why you hadn’t been on the field before. Did something click for you once you into games? Were you playing at that level in practices as well, or once you got the opportunity, did your play raise to another level?TYLER VAN DYKE: I would say I improved a lot last year over the year. Like I said before, it’s all about confidence and understanding your capabilities and the team had my back.I thought I was practicing well, but I feel like when Iot on that field and got that confidence from my teammates and my coaches, that was the biggest thing for me that changed throughout the season."
Will Mallory on Tyler Van Dyke: "Tyler is a leader. He's our guy."
— Adam Lichtenstein (@ABLichtenstein) July 21, 2022
Van Dyke will build on the confidence he received from working with former OC and QB coach Rhett Lashlee. This season Van Dyke will have the two voices with Gattis and Ponce. Despite the projections about Van Dyke being a potential first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft he is focused on the 2022 season.
"Q. You are a redshirt sophomore with obvious high draft potential. It’s obviously hard not to look for it and anticipate what you have for not only this season, but your future. How much thought have you put into your future just beyond this season?TYLER VAN DYKE: Honestly, I really don’t think about all that. I’m just trying to focus on the team and winning because without player success, you have to have team success. As you can see last year, we were 7-5 and only had one guy drafted. You have to have the team success to have player success.THE MODERATOR: Your last question comes from the podium. Off the field what will you do to help your coach establish his program?TYLER VAN DYKE: I would just say being a leader. Getting those guys to rally and everyone become a leader. He always emphasizes discipline and doing the right things off the field. How you do anything is how you do everything, like he said.Whether that’s showing up for class or showing up on time for community service, you’ve got to do all the details right, and then everything will come."
Van Dyke has proven to be a leader in his nine starts and throughout the 2022 offseason. Head coach Mario Cristobal praised the leadership abilities that Van Dyke has during his ACC Kickoff appearance on Thursday. Miami is building an elite QB room that began with D’Eriq King in 2020.
Van Dyke learned from King. Potential future starters Jacurri Brown and Jake Garcia will learn from Van Dyke as the responsibilities of playing QB at Miami will be passed down. With continued development in 2022 in a new offense, Van Dyke will almost definitely leave for the 2023 NFL Draft.