Countdown to Canes Football: No. 2 Tyler Van Dyke
Versatility will be a key attribute with Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson’s offensive scheme. How well they are taken advantage of by all the Canes players will be important, and that process begins with the man behind center.
Who’s been discussed before today? Full Countdown to Canes Football List
Tyler Van Dyke
Size
: 6-foot-4, 224 pounds
Class
: Redshirt-Junior
Position
: Quarterback
Recruitment and Background
From the class of 2020, Van Dyke is the No. 222 player per the 247 composite. His only official visit is to Miami and that’s where he signs. Prior to Van Dyke officially becoming a Hurricane, his primary list of suitors was scattered across the country including Boston College, UCLA, California, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, and Louisville, among others.
2021 Statistics (1 Games - Started 9)
202/324, 62.3%, 2,931 yards, 9 yards per attempt, 25 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions
2022 Statistics (9 Games - Started 9)
160/253, 63.2%, 1,836 yards, 7.3 per attempt, 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions
Working With A Proven Offensive Mind
After last year’s disaster at offensive coordinator, Van Dyke is receiving a veteran play caller that mixes up the run and pass quite well. The running game, by the way, will be something that Van Dyke involves himself in far more often than during 2021 and 2022. Keep that in mind.
Now, back to Dawson. With his version of the Air Raid, or whatever one prefers to call his continuously-evolving offensive scheme, the game plan will probably adjust from game to game. How?
It will find weaknesses and go after them. It’s not going to be just a pass-happy Air Raid attack. Dawson will find ways to maximize Van Dyke’s talents, but also do so when it’s best needed while also providing the running game ample opportunities to thrive.
He’s proven that during stops at West Virginia, Kentucky and Houston. There will be games where the rushing attack will go off. That’s fine; just win baby!
Van Dyke will be the primary beneficiary. Notice from the statistics above, Van Dyke’s yards per attempt went down almost 2 yards. That’s going to flip the other direction with more play-action opportunities coming off the efforts of a much improved offensive line, plus a stable of running backs that can complement one another.
Further, look for better play calling. Far better play calling, in fact, than in 2022. That’s why this following video is perfect to display right here, from ACC media days:
Controlling the offense
Van Dyke will be the commander of an offense that will keep defenses off balance by way of a combination of the play calls from Dawson, Van Dyke’s experience and savviness to make checks at the line of scrimmage – as well as being creative during a play – to maximize the talent around him, including the ability to allow a variety of playmakers to win favorable matchups.
For the Hurricanes, this elixir of coaching, leadership and raw talent should produce some fantastic moments in 2023. One of the areas that should improve the most is next.
Red Zone
This is where Miami should make the biggest offensive jump in 2023. From 2022, they found ways in the red zone, or at least it seemed like the Canes did, to come up short. Look for Van Dyke to be happy to allow his running game to mash opponents, as well as find those favorable matchups that provide UM with great chances at touchdowns via the passing game.
For the statistic of red zone efficiency, expect the Canes to finish much higher nationally than last season. In 2022, Miami only reached the No. 101 mark. That’s going to change in a hurry now that all of the pieces are coming together.
From the opposite end of the spectrum, here’s one more category that Van Dyke will really help the Canes and it’s a fun one.
Hitting Deep Shots
The expectation will be for Van Dyke to hit the mark when it’s most needed. That begins with hitting check downs and the like, sure. The play-action bombs and array of vertical routes, that work off the running game and short passing game, will be his money makers, however.
The arm talent is there. So is the experience for Van Dyke. He will have a budding wide receiver room to work with that includes Colbie Young and Xavier Restrepo, just to begin with.
For Miami to take a big step forward with its win-loss record, Van Dyke will be counted on to connect with the wide receivers during those critical deep shots that keep defenses from adding an extra defender to the box, and they also change the scoreboard with one play.
Again, as stated above, the offensive philosophy is a great fit for Van Dyke. There will be times that the deep shots are coming after setting them up. Now he must take advantage. With the deep ball, it’s honestly hard to imagine that Van Dyke will not be a big-time playmaker.
Staying Healthy
To make all of the above work, this category should be considered the most important. It’s obvious. It still needs to be said and specifically so.
Look, no offense is going to consistently be good with its starting quarterback being injured like Van Dyke was in 2022. The Miami offensive line is far superior to last year’s unit, plus Van Dyke knows his value and wants to get to the NFL with a full season of healthy games.
Slide, run out of bounds, whatever it may be, Van Dyke must avoid big hits. There’s no shortcut here. Miami’s season depends on its starting quarterback being healthy, just like every other FBS program.
Van Dyke must make good decisions when he could be in harm’s way. That final point is also why the No. 1 player on the Countdown to Canes Football list will be an offensive lineman. More on that tomorrow.
2023 Projection
Van Dyke will be one of the nation’s most productive signal callers. It’s not going to be about the statistics this man produces, but rather how going away from his own “numbers” and checking to running plays helps the Canes score far more touchdowns than in 2022.
You can read about Miami’s projected 2023 offensive statistics here.
Overall, it will be about decision making. Van Dyke will make critical plays when they matter most. That's winning football, and that's Van Dyke helping Miami get back to being a good football team.
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Fan Nation High school football recruiting analyst covering the state of Florida, as well as across the Southeastern United States and the state of Texas.