Miami Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke candidly discussed the ups and downs of his season, reflecting on his performance, injuries, and mental fortitude amidst the pressures of college football.
Van Dyke, back in his starting role after Freshman Emory Williams got the nod in Tallahassee last week, acknowledged the inconsistencies in the passing offense since the ACC schedule began. "We did throw the ball pretty well in some games like against Georgia Tech and North Carolina," he said, but admitted that self-inflicted mistakes had been costly. Emphasizing resilience, Van Dyke remarked, "You're not going to play your best every game. It's all about how you respond."
Addressing his physical condition, Van Dyke confirmed he is nearing full recovery from various injuries. "That's football," he stated, refusing to use his ailments as an excuse. He also touched upon the mental aspect of the game, particularly the challenge of not starting against FSU and then being thrust into the action after Williams’ injury on the final drive. "It's tough, obviously all of the guys in the quarterback room want to play...but that's just the nature of college football," heexplained, highlighting his supportive role for teammate Emory during that period.
On the topic of criticism and expectations, Van Dyke showed maturity and understanding of his role as a quarterback at a high-profile university like Miami. "The expectation is high and if you don't play well, you're going to get a lot of that," he acknowledged, adding that he stays away from social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter to maintain focus.
Delving deeper into his mental process, Tyler revealed his reliance on family, friends, and a sports psychologist for support. "In tough times, I always have my family to lean on," he said, crediting them, along with professional guidance, for helping him maintain a positive mindset.
Reflecting on his journey, Tyler admitted to pressing too hard at times to jump-start the passing game. "Sometimes you play good defenses, or you try to force the ball into tight windows," he noted, underscoring the need for smarter decisions with the football.
The Hurricanes' quarterback also touched on the importance of learning from tough experiences. "Maybe that was the life lesson God was trying to teach me," he mused, talking about finding gratitude even when things don't go as planned.
