DALLAS – Amid a celebration among exuberant blue-and-white clad fans, one can spot a pristine No. 9 jersey worn by a towering quarterback, Tyler Van Dyke. Amid the festivities after a thrilling 26-20 overtime victory over Miami, Tyler shared his sentiments: “It was pretty cool to feel that from all the fans.”

Van Dyke, currently at SMU, is rebounding from a severe leg injury that has sidelined him since the previous September. Although slightly out of the spotlight now, this 24-year-old quarterback was once recognized as the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2021 while at the Hurricanes.

Looking back at his journey, Van Dyke reflected on the support he received from former Miami offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, indicating that joining the Mustangs after leaving Wisconsin was a perfect fit for his recovery. He commented, “This was the best situation to get healthy.”

During his time at Miami, Van Dyke garnered significant attention, especially in the early days of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, and his performance throughout the seasons has had its ups and downs, influenced by injuries.

As Van Dyke continues his rehab, he’s working toward returning to the field, filled with motivation to showcase his talent once more. With hopes set on playing through the 2026 season after his procedure, he remains positive about what the future holds for him in college football. “I’m just looking to prove to myself I’m able to go out and play like I can play,” he asserted.