Wisconsin’s veteran quarterback Tyler Van Dyke spent a month in the transfer portal before deciding to join SMU on January 8. The former Badger has over three years of starting experience, notable for his standout 2021 season as a redshirt freshman at Miami. However, he is recovering from a torn ACL he sustained during Wisconsin’s Week 3 defeat to Alabama, which has reportedly influenced his choice of transfer destination.
ESPN’s David Hale shared a quote from SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee, stating, “We didn’t bring [Van Dyke] in to be the starter…or the backup.” Hale noted that Van Dyke is still in rehabilitation and is unlikely to be prepared for the start of the upcoming season, suggesting he might take a redshirt year to recuperate and train for a starting role in 2026. This insight clarifies Van Dyke’s transfer intent.
SMU’s starting quarterback, Kevin Jennings, recently led the team to a College Football Playoff appearance and had a standout 2024 season, completing 65% of his passes for 3,245 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, along with 354 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. He still has two years of eligibility left.
Initially, many wondered why Van Dyke would choose a school with a solid starting QB, but the possibility of sitting out in 2025 and targeting a starting opportunity in 2026 offers a logical explanation. This decision is further supported by Van Dyke’s prior connection to SMU, as Lashlee was his offensive coordinator during his impressive 2021 season at Miami. Van Dyke did not play as a true freshman in 2020, started from 2021-23, and appeared in just two games in 2024 before his injury. His sixth season would be in 2025, opening a potential seventh year in 2026. Since he hasn’t technically redshirted yet, he could secure a medical redshirt for 2024 and a traditional one for 2025.
Van Dyke will collaborate with Lashlee to regain his 2021 form, which featured a 62.3% completion rate, 2,931 yards, 25 touchdowns, six interceptions, and an ACC-leading 9.0 yards per attempt. While this plan hasn’t been formally announced, if confirmed, it would provide a rationale for his transfer. Schools may have hesitated to offer him a starting role due to his injury status, making SMU a favorable environment for his rehabilitation and growth under Lashlee, before potentially seeking a final season elsewhere.
This development also sheds light on his exit from Wisconsin, which has undergone changes in its quarterback lineup under new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes.
Van Dyke’s health will remain a significant question mark for Wisconsin’s 2024 season and Phil Longo’s role as offensive coordinator. Given that he may not be ready for the beginning of 2025, a redshirt year at SMU could serve as the best outcome for all parties involved.
Expect further clarity on this situation as spring practice is set to begin in April.
