CaneSport publisher Gary Ferman joins On3 Roundtable: Tyler Van Dyke "looks like old TVD" and several players ready for breakout seasons

The Miami Hurricanes have wrapped up the first three weeks of fall camp including the two fall scrimmages, and the season-opener is almost around the corner vs. Miami (Ohio) followed by a big challenge in top 25 Texas A&M.

CaneSport publisher Gary Ferman looked ahead to the season in the On3 Roundtable with J.D. Pickell, noting that the Canes off a 5-7 season “have hit the reset button.”

“They’ve turned over almost half the roster and are ready to go and see what they’ve got,” Ferman said.

There are several question marks surrounding the team, of course, with so much new personnel.

But one of the key returners is QB Tyler Van Dyke. Two years ago, Van Dyke was the ACC Rookie of the Year with 25 TD passes and six INTs in 10 games. But this past season he effectively only played half the year due to injury and struggled with 10 TDs and five interceptions.

It seems entering this season that he’s being overlooked compared to other top ACC and national quarterbacks.

“This is a guy that people were talking about him as a Heisman candidate (before last season), were talking about him as a potential first round draft pick,” Ferman said. “And last year just went haywire. He struggled early in the year to grasp Josh Gattis’ offense, there was absolutely a disconnect. Then it’s starting to click and he hurts his shoulder. That derailed the rest of the year.

“He’s back, looks every bit the old TVD on the practice field. What he doesn’t have this year is Charleston Rambo, who he had two years ago who had that amazing receiving season. But he has a stable of receivers that is deep, a lot of guys that if they are used the right way by new coordinator Shannon Dawson can build numbers and stats. I’m expecting if he stays healthy he’ll have a phenomenal year.”

With a great year, of course, Van Dyke can go high in the draft, but Ferman says the QB might opt to return with a strong NIL deal and the chance to move up even higher in the draft in 2024.

“He might still need one more year (in 2024),” Ferman said, adding “Miami is very excited to have TVD back on the field and he’s looked very good in fall camp.”

As for Van Dyke’s targets? Ferman points to an improved Colbie Young, Jacolby George (“a phenomenal fall camp”) and Xavier Restrepo (“a practice field freak, true possession receiver”) as receivers that can be playmakers.

But as for a game-changing receiver? Ferman says that might just be true freshman Ray Ray Joseph.

“He’s a jitter bug type receiver, very high quality,” Ferman said. “If they can find ways to get him the ball in space he will catch it and rack up those yards after catch. To me he has the best chance of all the receivers at Miami to bust out and have a monster season.”

Ferman pointed to other players that appear ready to step up.

He said RB Mark Fletcher “showed up in beast mode, is going to play a lot,” adding that Nebraska transfer Ajay Allen “has come south on a mission.”

“He’s very focused, this kid is lighting it up on the practice field,” Ferman said of Allen. “Watch the Miami run game this year to complement Shannon Dawson’s passing schemes. Because if they can run the football then Miami’s offense will look like Miami’s offense again.”

Ferman also pointed to OL Matthew McCoy as a guy “who is getting closer and closer to getting ready” to help out a reshaped offensive line as a key depth piece or perhaps even push for a starting job.

On defense Ferman said that a breakout player could be DE Nyjalik Kelly.

“They feel he can be a great payer at Miami, just has to pull it all together,” Ferman said. “They are hoping Nyjalik Kelly becomes a superstar this season.”