Wisconsin QB Tyler Van Dyke discusses being named Badgers starter entering 2024

Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo named Tyler Van Dyke the Badgers’ starting quarterback on Wednesday.

Van Dyke, a former three-year starter at Miami, edged redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke. The news puts an end to what was, reportedly, a multi-week battle between the two players at fall training camp.

Longo’s comments were not much of a surprise after Van Dyke took all of the first-team reps at the start of the week. It was also not a difficult conclusion to predict given Van Dyke’s collegiate experience, past success and status as one of Wisconsin’s priority transfers last winter.

The veteran met with the media on Wednesday afternoon after being named the official starter entering 2024. He emphasized that the competition in the room will continue despite his new title.

“He named me the starter, but obviously we’re still competing,” Van Dyke said. “Still gotta go out there every day and do what I gotta do. It means the coaches believe in me, it means the players believe in me. I’m just glad they gave me this opportunity.”

Van Dyke’s starting experience goes back to his ACC Rookie of the Year breakout in 2021 at Miami. He has held the job since despite coaching turnover and now a team chance. The word ‘competition’ remains at the center of his collegiate path.

“Braedyn [Locke] has done a great job pushing me, I pushed him. You always have to keep competing, keep going through it,” Van Dyke continued. “I’ll be motivated even when sometimes you feel comfortable. So you can’t ever be complacent. Gotta just keep going, never stop.”

Van Dyke enters the 2024 season with 30 total games of experience, those including 63.7% completion, 7,469 yards, 54 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.

Head coach Luke Fickell, Longo and Badgers fans all hope to see the 2021 version of the Miami transfer show up when the team begins its season on Aug. 30 against Western Michigan.

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