Miami transfer wins Wisconsin's starting QB job

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell wanted a competition heading into the 2024 season, and he got it at the quarterback position.

Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke, a senior, duked it out with sophomore Braedyn Locke, who started three games last season in injury relief.

It must have been a heated battle because Wisconsin's season opener is just a few weeks away, but on Wednesday, offensive coordinator Phil Longo announced that Van Dyke would be the starter.

That wasn't meant as a slight to Locke, though, who the Badgers apparently still have a high level of belief in.

"As Fick says, we kind of see it as a 1A and a 1B type of situation right now as opposed to a 1 and a 2," Longo said, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "That's how well Braedyn has done here in camp. But as of right now, Tyler Van Dyke is our starter."

That's not necessarily a ringing endorsement for Van Dyke, but it's a starting gig nonetheless for the quarterback who spent his past four years at Miami.

He started off hot in Coral Gables, winning Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year honors in 2021 after throwing for 2,931 yards and 25 touchdowns with just six interceptions. Injuries hurt him over the next two seasons, and he lost his starting spot to Emory Williams, but he still did finish the 2023 season with 2,703 yards and 19 touchdowns, albeit with 12 interceptions.

Wisconsin is certainly hoping Van Dyke can put it all together in Madison and regain his 2021 form.