Luke Fickell describes Tyler Van Dyke's place in 'unique, tricky' QB competition

When Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell brought in Tyler Van Dyke as a transfer quarterback, he created a quarterback battle between him and the incumbent quarterback Braedyn Locke.

Fickell made an appearance on Andy Staples On3. There, he broke down the quarterback situation and Tyler Van Dyke’s place in it, explaining that the quarterback position is a unique and tricky one to deal with in the modern era of college football.

“Obviously, at every level the quarterback is a unique situation,” Luke Fickell said. “But I think in college right now the quarterback room is the most unique room that’s completely different even than five years ago just because of the options that guys have and the nature of any of the quarterbacks at this level. They’ve always probably been the guy and it’s very difficult to not be the guy and to sit behind somebody. So, I think it’s unique. I think it’s tricky. I think you’ve got to make sure that you’re as honest and open and forthright as you can possibly be so people will trust you.”

Tyler Van Dyke was, previously, the starting quarterback of the Miami Hurricanes. In 30 games over the last three seasons, he’s thrown for 7,469 yards and 54 touchdowns to 23 interceptions. He also battled a leg injury during the 2023 season.

As for Braedyn Locke, Luke Fickell recruited him out of the Transfer Portal ahead of the 2023 season. He ended up playing in five games during the 2023 season, completing 50 percent of his passes for 777 yards and five touchdowns to only one interception.

“But, for us, it’s been a great battle and we’re fortunate that because we brought in Tyler Van Dyke that Braedyn Locke didn’t say, ‘Okay, you don’t have enough confidence in me. Then I’m gonna move on.’ He’s got a great relationship with Coach [Phil] Longo, with me. Believes in the things we’re doing and he’s willing to kind of battle through some of the things that he had to last year and even bringing in another guy,” Fickell said.

“So, when you’ve got those kinds of guys in your program, that’s when you feel better because guys are always looking for the grass being greener on the other side, and are willing to compete and work and get better.”

In his first season as the head coach at Wisconsin, Luke Fickell led the Badgers to a 7-6 record and is looking to take a step forward in 2024. To do that, finding the right quarterback is going to be key against their difficult Big Ten schedule.