Luke Fickell shares area he believes Tyler Van Dyke can create edge

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell firmly believes Tyler Van Dyke can get a new edge this season, his final at the collegiate level.

Following five years at Miami, Van Dyke transferred to Wisconsin for his grad year, looking to resurrect his 2021 form. It turns out, Fickell sees something in his quarterback’s game that can make that happen.

As he worked through spring practice, Van Dyke showcased more of a dual threat ability.

“I think the thing that can help Tyler as well when you do get into some more live situations, he is a big guy,” Fickell said. “He’s a guy who can run the football too. I think that I teased him a little bit. I think his first year at Miami I’ve seen him and watched that film. 

“He runs pretty well. I think year two and three, I teased him about getting a little bit big and I’m not sure he thought he was standing back there and being pass happy in some of those situations, but I think he’s in a really good spot.” 

Van Dyke isn’t a traditional dual threat quarterback. He only has two rushing touchdowns to his name and 32 net rushing yards off 108 credited carries.

“I think he can create some things at 230 (and) some pounds,” Fickell said. “Can be a physical guy that you have to be able to have balance with and understand that he can do some things with his feet as well and I think that can give him a different edge to some things. 

“But he is getting much more comfortable. I think you can see that he understands what’s going on all around and a lot better each and every day.”

As Fickell alluded to, a better pocket presence can reduce sacks and allow for more opportunities to run when need be. Heck, Wisconsin is a traditional school that loves the trenches and loves to run the football.

Fickell has that same mentality and it seems like Van Dyke might add that to his arsenal.

Over the course of five years, Van Dyke has 7,469 yards, 54 touchdowns, 23 interceptions and a 63.7% completion percentage.

As a member of the Class of 2020, Van Dyke was a four-star recruit out of Glastonbury (Conn.) Suffield Academy, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 2 overall prospect in the state, the No. 19 quarterback in the class and the No. 263 overall prospect in the class.