The college football transfer portal continues to be a pivotal aspect of the game, and one of the most intriguing moves this offseason involves former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. Van Dyke, who left Miami to sign with the Wisconsin Badgers ahead of the 2024 season, experienced a season marred by injury that ultimately led to his departure from Wisconsin. After suffering a torn ACL early in the season, Van Dyke’s time with the Badgers was limited to just a few games, and he announced his decision to enter the transfer portal last month, leaving many to speculate about his next move.
On Thursday morning, Van Dyke made his next destination clear: he will be joining the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs for the 2025 season. This decision comes on the heels of a historic 2024 season for SMU, which saw them make a trip to the College Football Playoff and compete in the ACC Championship Game. Now, Van Dyke will look to help continue SMU’s success, though his arrival comes with the challenge of competing for the starting quarterback job against an established talent in Kevin Jennings, who had a standout 2024 season.
For Van Dyke, this marks the latest chapter in a college career that has been anything but ordinary. From his time at Miami to his brief stint at Wisconsin and now his move to SMU, the quarterback has had to navigate injuries, changes in coaching staffs, and roster shakeups, all while trying to regain his form and reach his full potential.
Van Dyke’s Time at Miami
Tyler Van Dyke’s college career began with a lot of promise at the University of Miami. A four-star signee in the 2020 recruiting class, Van Dyke quickly became one of the most highly anticipated quarterbacks in the country. In his first three seasons with the Hurricanes, he showed flashes of brilliance. Van Dyke amassed 7,469 yards and 54 touchdowns across 39 games, including a stellar 2021 season that saw him throw for over 2,900 yards and 25 touchdowns, with a 62.3% completion rate. His performance earned him accolades and solidified him as one of the top quarterbacks in the ACC.
However, despite individual success, Van Dyke and Miami never quite managed to find the consistency needed to make a serious run at a College Football Playoff berth. Miami’s struggles in the ACC meant that Van Dyke’s impressive individual numbers were often overshadowed by the team’s inability to contend for championships. Still, his raw talent and potential were undeniable, and he was considered one of the better quarterbacks in college football.
The transfer portal opened up new possibilities for Van Dyke, and following the 2024 season, he decided to take his talents elsewhere, ultimately landing at Wisconsin.
Wisconsin: A Short-Lived Stint
Van Dyke’s time at Wisconsin was brief and disappointing. After transferring to the Badgers for a fresh start, things took a turn for the worse when he suffered a torn ACL early in the 2024 season. It was a devastating blow for the veteran quarterback, who was hoping to rejuvenate his career in Madison. The injury caused him to miss the remainder of the season, and Van Dyke’s time at Wisconsin was essentially over before it could really begin.
Although Wisconsin left the door open for Van Dyke to return, the quarterback opted to enter the transfer portal once again. It’s unclear whether he would have regained his starting role at Wisconsin, but it seems that Van Dyke believed his best opportunity for success was to move on and find a new team that could provide a better fit moving forward.
SMU: A New Beginning
Now, Van Dyke has chosen to continue his college football journey at SMU, a program that has experienced a major resurgence under head coach Rhett Lashlee. The 2024 season was historic for SMU, as they made their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff, which helped propel the Mustangs into the national spotlight. They also competed in the ACC Championship Game, marking the program’s continued rise in the ranks of college football.
Van Dyke’s decision to join SMU is intriguing for several reasons. First and foremost, he enters a situation where the Mustangs already have an established quarterback in Kevin Jennings, who had an impressive 2024 campaign. Jennings threw for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns, leading SMU to its historic postseason run. Given the success Jennings had, it remains to be seen whether Van Dyke will immediately start or have to battle for playing time.
Van Dyke, however, brings a wealth of experience with him. His time at Miami and Wisconsin, though plagued by inconsistency and injury, has provided him with a varied skill set and a solid understanding of different offensive systems. In addition, his high school pedigree and the raw talent that made him a four-star prospect remain intact, and Van Dyke will likely be looking to prove that he can still reach the heights many once expected of him.
SMU’s Quarterback Room: Competition and Expectations
Van Dyke’s arrival at SMU certainly shakes up the quarterback room, especially with Jennings coming off such a strong season. It is expected that the two will compete for the starting job, and the battle could be one of the most closely watched storylines heading into the 2025 season. Jennings’ 2024 performance established him as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation, and he has a strong case to keep the starting role.
However, Van Dyke’s experience and ability to make big plays could give him the edge in the competition. He has played in high-pressure games against top-tier opponents and has proven that, when healthy, he can be a dynamic playmaker under center. The competition between the two quarterbacks will be key to SMU’s chances in 2025, as whoever wins the job will have big shoes to fill and expectations to meet given the team’s recent success.
For Van Dyke, this is an opportunity for redemption. He will be looking to put the injury-riddled 2024 season behind him and return to the form that made him one of the top quarterbacks in the country just a few years ago. If he can stay healthy and regain his confidence, there’s no reason why Van Dyke can’t help SMU continue its upward trajectory in college football.
Miami’s QB Situation
Van Dyke’s departure from Miami also leaves the Hurricanes with a major question mark at quarterback for the 2025 season. With Van Dyke gone, it’s unclear who will take the reins for head coach Mario Cristobal’s squad. Many eyes are on Emory Williams, who had a mixed performance in the Pop-Tarts Bowl and will likely get a serious look for the starting job. However, there are still concerns about his consistency, and Miami may need to look elsewhere if they want to compete at the highest level.
There could be other quarterbacks entering the transfer portal in the coming weeks, and Miami might take a shot at bringing in a more experienced signal-caller to help lead the program. The quarterback situation at Miami remains fluid, and until Cristobal finds the right fit, the Hurricanes will continue to search for stability at the position.
Conclusion
Tyler Van Dyke’s move to SMU represents another chapter in his college football journey. After a challenging and injury-plagued stint at Wisconsin, Van Dyke is hoping to make a fresh start with the Mustangs and help continue their rise as a powerhouse in college football. His arrival adds an intriguing layer to the competition for the starting quarterback job at SMU, where he will face off against Kevin Jennings, one of the top quarterbacks in the country.
For Miami, Van Dyke’s departure leaves them with more uncertainty at quarterback heading into 2025. With multiple quarterbacks on the roster and potentially more entering the transfer portal, Miami will have to figure out their next move as they look to compete in the ACC and beyond. Regardless of what happens at Miami, Van Dyke’s decision to join SMU adds an exciting storyline to the 2025 college football season, as he aims to prove that he still has what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
