Tyler Van Dyke reacts to impressive showing from Emory Williams

Tyler Van Dyke had nothing but positive things to say about fellow Miami Hurricanes quarterback Emory Williams when speaking with the media.

Williams is getting used to the college game after joining Miami, and Van Dyke believes Miami may have found a gem. For the first time the young signal caller played in an environment like a spring game, Van Dyke believes Williams was fantastic.

“I thought Emory had a great night,” explained Van Dyke. “As a freshman, first type of environment like this, it’s hard. I mean, I went through it, and now he’s going through it. So to have that long touchdown pass for him, it definitely makes you feel good.

“It makes me feel good that he did that. So I’m excited for him.”

Williams is a former three-star recruit out of Milton (FL) as a member of the Class of 2023, who was the No. 627 overall recruit in his cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s not expected to unseat Van Dyke this season, and the relationship between the two quarterbacks seems like a positive one thus far.

While Williams is adjusting to the college game as a whole, Van Dyke is adjusting to a new offensive coordinator, as Mario Cristobal brought in Shannon Dawson from Houston to run the unit over the offseason.

With the Hurricanes wrapping up their spring game, Van Dyke gave his first impressions of Dawson’s system. The young quarterback notied the “freedom” it allows him to play with is something he appreciates.

“I’m not gonna compare anything,” he said of the differences between last year’s system and this year’s. “I was comfortable last year and comfortable this year. Just unfortunate circumstances last year with injuries.

“But this system gives the quarterback a lot of freedom to check plays, check routes depending what the defense gives you.”

Van Dyke played just nine games last season as he battled with injuries and finished with 1,835 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. But with the new offensive system, he’ll hope to bounce back as Miami aims to improve on a 5-7 record in Cristobal’s inaugural season.

“Spring was just kind of to get that taste in your mouth,” Van Dyke added. “It was very simple tonight. Very vanilla. So just get back in a couple of weeks and start really working hard getting connections with receivers. Start watching film on opponents of this year and just getting right.

“Just gotta keep working hard and put the foot to the gas pedal.”