MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Badgers officially announced their starting quarterback to start the 2024 football season Wednesday morning.
Senior Tyler Van Dyke, who transferred to the University of Wisconsin from the University of Miami for his final season, earned the job, according to Badgers offensive coordinator Phil Longo.
Van Dyke said he is excited to be named to the position, but that does not mean the job is complete. Longo said there were a few reasons they named Van Dyke the starter over sophomore Braedyn Locke.
“Probably the big separator right now, bigger arm, he probably wins and drives the ball better in the smaller holes,” said Longo. “Both can throw the deep ball well, there’s probably a greater range with Tyler and then he has done an absolute hell of a job running the football and extending plays when he needs to.”
“It means the coaches believe in me, the players believe me,” said Van Dyke. “I’m just glad they gave me this opportunity to get some revenge for myself and bring some greatness to Wisconsin.”
While at the University of Miami, Van Dyke won the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year award in 2021. Last season he threw for 2,703 yards and 19 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He completed 65.8% of his passes (219 of 333). The senior started in 10 games and played in 11.
The Badgers will face three opponents currently ranked in the top ten this season: Alabama, Oregon and Penn State. All three games will be played at Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers open the season Friday Aug. 30 at home against Western Michigan.