The Wisconsin Badgers had an okay season in Luke Fickell’s first year. However, they are looking to be back on top of the Big Ten next year. One of the skills that Fickell proved last offseason was his ability to get talent to come to Madison. Fickell has done it again this season as he landed former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke from the transfer portal.
BREAKING: Miami transfer QB Tyler Van Dyke has committed to Wisconsin, per @PeteNakos_🚨https://t.co/bFapEsh1Et pic.twitter.com/xPcqS0KvAZ
— On3 (@On3sports) December 12, 2023
Wisconsin Badgers Land QB Tyler Van Dyke
Van Dyke is a very accomplished quarterback. In 2021 he won ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. 2023 was another solid season. He threw for 2,703 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He joins a Badgers team that has a lot of talent but was never able to put it all together in the first season under Fickell. The Badgers are hoping that Van Dyke can unlock the offense and help them compete in the new-look Big Ten.
New Look Big Ten
The Badgers will have a tough road next season. Not only do they have to face USC, Oregon, and Penn State, but their non-conference schedule includes Alabama. Fickell will need to make sure the team plays better in 2024 than they did in 2023 or they may find themselves near the middle of the pack again. This year the expectations might have been a little too high. It takes some time for a head coach to get a hold of the program and that is likely what happened in 2023. Despite the struggles, they still finished with a winning record.
Fickell likely isn’t done in the portal. He was very active last season and I would not be surprised if he is able to attract a couple of other high-level players in the coming months.