Hurricanes’ QB Tyler Van Dyke Is A Loose Cannon

This is my affectionate nickname for Tyler Van Dyke, due to the fact half of his passes are on target and the other half are not.

It is not meant as a derogatory label whatsoever, because I love how aggressively this Miami quarterback (QB) drives the ball downfield (2021: 9.0 yard avg.). He is fearless when he throws, and that is something that cannot be taught.

The bottom line is Van Dyke has a strong skill set, and he looked remarkably better on game film than Kentucky QB Will Levis or Alabama’s Bryce Young last season.

It was also encouraging how he showed continued improvement in 2021.

That is the one thing that stuck out to me most about Van Dyke, is how he looked better in each of the games I studied him.

Van Dyke is picking up where he left off in 2022

Van Dyke is off to a fast start in 2022, and yes, he is showing even more improvement.

Granted, his team opened up against Bethune-Cookman and the Hurricanes rushed for 305 yards in a 70-13 route.

However, it was a great start none-the-less.

In the game, Van Dyke went 13-16 (81.3%) for 193 yards and two touchdowns.

This has caused Van Dyke to become even more hyped.

ESPN offered words about Van Dyke

Even prior to the Bethune-Cookman game, ESPN’s Jordan Reid came out and said this about Van Dyke.

“Despite an extremely small sample size (10 games, nine starts,) [Van Dyke] showed potential in those matchups and has excellent arm strength, “Reid said. “But there were also too many moments in which he showed his youth last season. With more experience, Van Dyke certainly could make his way up the draft board.”

Tempered expectations for Van Dyke

This up and coming QB has to prove he has overcome what he put on game film in 2021 to be considered anything more than a solid developmental No. 2 at the next level.

He has to show he can do a better job of protecting the football. I am not just referring to the six interceptions on the season. I am referring to one fumble, two tipped passes, two interceptions (one in a critical time of the 4th quarter vs. Pitt) and the three times he winged it into double coverage hoping for the best. That was just in the three games I watched.

That is just one of the main talking points keeping Van Dyke out of the first or second-round discussion in my mind.

#9 Tyler Van Dyke 6-foot-4, 224 pounds

Daniel Kelly Grade: Third-Round – Early Fall 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: QB11

Projected by 64.2% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of September 8, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com).

2021 game film reviewed: Virginia, Pitt and FSU (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation).

Level of competition: High

2021 stats: 202/324 (62.3%) 2,931 yards (9.0 avg.), 25 TD, 6 INT.

NFL comparable: Stan Humphries

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Strong armed aggressive passer with mixed results at all three route levels, who is prone to making mistakes. Navigates pocket well, has a decent set-up, goes through his progressions and has a quick release. Can move around, but concedes sacks (2021: 20). Can fold like a tent in the pocket. Does not run a lot, but he had a long of 24 yards rushing last season. Can drive it downfield, but had erratic placement short, intermediate and deep. Was inaccurate deep most of the time in these documented games. Best route is a short slant. Does not throw the easiest ball to catch. Ball protection concerns. Has tools to work with and developmental upside. He can be a spark plug at the next level.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. Does his ball placement look better at all three route levels?
2. Does he do a better job protecting the ball?
3. Does he throw the ball away and not take as many sacks?
4. Does his completion percentage improve?

I keep going back to the fact he has the arm strength for the NFL.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.