Tyler Van Dyke on Thurs.: Some WRs capable of filling Rambo's shoes, Arroyo & Mallory could be big 1-2 punch for Miami at TE

It’s been a while since Quarterback U truly had a major difference-maker at the position for the Miami Hurricanes. Tyler Van Dyke? Well, after he emerged last season he’s hearing some preseason Heisman talk.

And some of the past UM greats are stepping up to give him some words of advice/encouragement as Van Dyke enters year 2 as starter. Van Dyke says Bernie Kosar has texted him “a few times.”

“When he comes here, I talk to him a lot,” Van Dyke said. “Also Steve Walsh I’ve talked to a few times as well.

“They lived through this experience. It’s pretty cool just hearing from them, giving me some advice. (They talk) more about being a leader, leadership is a big thing.”

Cane fans will see a new offense unveiled at Miami next Saturday under Josh Gattis, with a new QB coach as well in Frank Ponce.

So Van Dyke spent the spring and fall acclimating to the new scheme. And while the D has made big strides this fall camp, Van Dyke’s also continued to show his playmaking ability.

“He’s been outstanding,” Ponce said. “And he’s an extremely intelligent young man making good decisions most of the time and getting better and understanding the progressions and he’s getting to his second and third progression really fast. The game moves slow for him. He’s very smart. The young man studies a lot of film. He always asks questions and is always trying to get better and learn.”

After Thursday’s practice, Van Dyke shared where he sees things standing with this offense.

“We play in 10 days now, are excited to get out there, show what we worked on all summer, all fall,” Van Dyke said. “Made a good amount of progress offensively this fall camp.

“Eighty or 90 percent of the playbook (has been fully installed).”

A big question mark that remains for UM is the WR production and who will step up, with Xavier Restrepo the main consistent guy in practices.

The team lost its top two receivers last season in Charleston Rambo and Mike Harley.

There have been drop issues from the unit this fall, and Van Dyke hopes they will step up when the games kick off.

“Rambo was really reliable for me, always being in the right spot in the right time, someone I can trust,” Van Dyke said. “I see some of the guys being capable of that. Obviously practice is a little different than games. When game time comes I’m hoping for those guys to really step up.”

The talented tight end room should also have a big role in the passing offense, and Van Dyke pointed out that “Elijah (Arroyo) really stepped up when Will (Mallory) was out [banged up this fall]. I feel real comfortable with him. Jaleel, Khalil, Dom made a lot of progress in fall camp as well.”

Van Dyke added of Arroyo that “He’s a good player, big bodied guy, makes good blocks in pass protection. Also makes plays with the ball, catches the ball. He’s mostly always open when he tries to be. He’s really talented. With Will and him on the field at the same time, that’s going to be a deadly threat. I’m excited to see what that can do.”

Van Dyke also pointed to some of the players aside from the tight ends he sees that can be weapons, rattling off Xavier Restrepo, Key’Shawn Smith, Jacolby George, Brashard Smith and Frank Ladson at receiver, mentioning Knighton (“you know what he can do”) and Henry Parrish (“he’ll be a real asset for us) along with Thaddius Franklin at RB.

Speaking of the run game, it’s a bit of a concern area with two power backs on the shelf injured (Don Chaney and TreVonte’ Citizen) and returning starter Jaylan Knighton just coming off being banged up.

The other healthy backs are transfer Henry Parrish and bigger back Thaddius Franklin.

“The game plan will stay the same, we’re a balanced offense,” Van Dyke said.

So now it’s on to game week, with the season opening next Saturday.

“I feel a lot more comfortable, going into the spring, into fall camp there were some questions about some reads and confusion a little bit,” Van Dyke said. “That’s all cleared up now. I feel good about where I’m at with the offense. I like it a lot.”