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Junior
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2021
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- 2,473
taking trips down memory lane as we await our fate
That offseason, Van Dyke became an initial name, image and likeness darling. He drove a $100,000 BMW. Even though at the time he told 247Sports: "I feel like I don't deserve. I want to reach my goals and earn it so I can pay for it myself. But it's hard to say no."
The Van Dyke Mario Cristobal pairing was expected to transform the fortunes of Miami football. Instead, injuries hampered Van Dyke for much of the 2022 season and the Hurricanes stumbled to 5-7.
That's when Alabama called. Van Dyke basically had a deal done to transfer there. The Crimson Tide weren't sure either Jalen Milroe or Ty Simpson could be the guy post-Bryce Young. Van Dyke was the proven answer. That's when Cristobal got wind of the impending move.
"You're more important than you know to this program," Cristobal said. "The guys need you."
"He convinced me to stay," Van Dyke said. "I don't regret that. I wanted to be at Miami. I was just trying to do what was best for my future, so I was listening to what Alabama had to say."