Tyler Van Dyke compared to other Miami Hurricanes freshmen QBs

Tyler VanDyke is the fourth freshman quarterback to start for the Miami Hurricanes in the last eight seasons. Brad Kaaya started as a true freshman in 2014, N’Kosi Perry in 2018, Jarren Williams in 2019 and Van Dyke this season started as redshirt freshmen.

Van Dyke was able to ease into his first start last month as Miami defeated FCS Central Connecticut State 69-0. Van Dyke shared time with true freshmen Jake Garcia. Van Dyke did what was to be expected from a Power Five QB against an FCS opponent.

Playing a nearly perfect game Van Dyke was 10-11 for 270 yards, three TDs and no interceptions. Garcia was 11-14 for 147 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Van Dyke will be the starting QB for Miami for the foreseeable future. Starter D’Eriq King injured his shoulder since the Michigan State game on September 18.

Garcia is until November with an unspecified injury suffered against Central Connecticut State, The bigger test for Van Dyke in two starts came against Virginia last Thursday. The game was a tale of two halves. VanDyke was 4-11 for 63 yards and was sacked twice in the first half. Miami trailed 16-7 at halftime.

VanDyke was 11-18 for 140 yards and added a 24-yard TD run in the fourth quarter to bring Miami within 30-28 with 9:09 remaining. On the final drive of the game, VanDyke put Miami in a position to win. The Hurricanes went 75 yards in 15 plays over 5:36.

An Andres Borregales 33 yard field goal attempt hit the right upright to prevent VanDyke leading Miami to a comeback in his first start. Kaaya was exceptional as a freshman. Playing in all 13 games, Kaaya completed 58.5 percent of his pass attempts for 3,198 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

In his first career start at Louisville in the 2014 season opener, Kaaya was 17-29 for 174 yards, one TD and two interceptions. Perry shared time in 2018 with Malik Rosier who was previously the backup to Kaaya and then the starter in 2017.

Playing in 11 games in 2018, Perry completed 50.8 percent of his passes for 1,091 yards. 13 TDS and six interceptions. Perry earned his first playing time that season against FCS Savannah State.  The first significant playing time for Perry against an FBS opponent came against FIU going 17-25 for 224 yards and three TDs.

In 2019 Perry, Williams and Ohio state transfer Tate Martell competed to be the starter in training camp. Williams won the job. Sharing playing time with Perry, Williams completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 2,187 yards, 19 TDs and seven interceptions.

Including the stats against Central Connecticut state and a brief appearance against Alabama, VanDyke has completed 61 percent of his passes for 473 yards, four TDs and no interceptions. Van Dyke has added 14 carries for six yards and the one TD.

Will VanDyke be the QB that struggled against Virginia in the first half or who thrived in the second half. If Miami gets second half VanDyke, the Hurricanes offense can improve heading to its toughest stretch of games this next three weeks at North Carolina, versus North Carolina State and at Pittsburgh after the bye.