Tyler Vandyke's origin story is grounded in truth, but the details took on a life of their own.
It was October of 2021, and Miami was in danger of missing the playoffs, and the starter at quarterback was foolish to say something. Perhaps brilliant. It could've went either way.
He told local reporters that NC State had a great defense. That doesn't mean anything. We played them last year. They got 44 points from us. We feel good.
It's possible that confidence is one way to describe it. It's possible thatIgnorance could be another.
He was going to make his second career start. He completed less than half of his throws. A loss to North Carolina ended with three turnovers. Who was this guy talking about a ranked school?
NC State had its bulletin board material after the quote caught on.
A team meeting was held the next day. There was a quote on the board. He said that he was fighting words. Miami, a team that had been one of the most disappointing in the country, had to support the quarterback.
It started a fire. Miami came away with a 31-30 win after Van Dyke threw a pair of first-half touchdown passes.
The Hurricanes won a second time. Again. By winning five of their last six, they were able to finish with one of the most dominant quarterbacks in the country in Van Dyke, who threw for at least 300 yards and three touchdown in six straight games. Joe was the other one.
It was a turning point for the group.
Van Dyke didn't mean to say something like that. He wanted to make a point that his team was not as bad as its record would suggest. The words came out a little different than what he had thought. Making a mistake is a new experience.
"I didn't want to hurt their feelings or anything." I was angry with myself.
It's too late. There was a legend. The guy who called his shot was the one who delivered. At a place like Miami, a program desperate for a taste of the old days when no one had more swagger and no one backed up that swagger better, Van Dyke was aninstant sensation. The truth should never be used as an excuse to not pay attention. It was a better story.
At the end of the season, the school brought in a big-name coach in Mario Cristobal and committed to a massive investment in revitalizing the football program. The pieces seemed to be in place for Miami to fulfill its promise after two decades in the wilderness. They had the money and the coach and now they had the quarterback.
All of that is beyond the scope of what Van Dyke is worried about. At the beginning of fall camp, he deleted his account. He doesn't want to know what people think of him. The goal is not to win a trophy or return to Miami. It's to say what's on his mind, the same as he did before the NC State game, then go out and play with the same confidence and trust that the guys around him will have.
Van Dyke said that he needed to play like he had been playing his whole life. I have to trust the guys and do it.
How is it that a quarterback who had never won a game as a starter suddenly became one of the best passers in the country? The defacto publicist for the QB has an idea. They played a round of golf this year.
Van Dyke likes to play the game of golf. He likes the sport. It requires a calm demeanor, a steady hand and a willingness to forget a bad shot in order to succeed. He played nine holes on Thursdays last year to relax and clear his mind. He is close to a golfer. He shot a 74 at the national park.
Restrepo had never picked up a set of clubs before last summer, but he was able to catch the final round of the U.S. Open when Jon Rahm made two eagles on the back nine. When it was over, he went to Dick's and picked up a set of clubs and asked Van Dyke if he would join him.
Restrepo was terrible that first time.
Restrepo said that Tyler said it was the fastest he had ever seen someone get good.
The roommates compete very hard. If there's a ball or a video game controller within arm's reach, they're competing, and the way Restrepo says it is, if he's having a good day on the course and Van Dyke's off his game, the scores are close enough.
That's the type of game the coach likes. The doubt is fed off by him.
Restrepo said that they would be playing NBA 2K and blowing people out. He is playing with fire.
After seven holes, Van Dyke and Restrepo were already up five. "It's boring." Van Dyke thought.
Restrepo said that the man started chunking shots on purpose. He's happy about it.
The plan didn't go as planned. They were down two holes after fifteen. There was pressure on.
There is a hole in the ground on the 16th of July.
He sinks a putt from 10 feet out on 17th. They're not together.
Van Dyke steps to the tee and misses the shot.
Restrepo said that they lost because they flubbed the drive. He wasn't happy.
This was just a fun game with our punts. In football, he wouldn't do this. He is going to try to beat the team by 100. No messing with people. Business is all about football.
Miami did not beat anyone by 100 last year. Van Dyke was playing catch up from the moment he became the starter. If he'd had the job from the beginning of the season, and if Miami hadn't started 2-4, it would've been a lot simpler. It would not have been as enjoyable to do the impossible.
Van Dyke grabbed Restrepo in the locker room after Miami beat Pitt.
"I really like getting booed," Van Dyke said.
That's what motivates him, according to his roommate. He needs an obstacle to get through it. There is nothing quite like that feeling when you are back against the wall.
Restrepo said that he would want to be down 21 against the top team in the country. He goes to sleep with that dream.
When Van Dyke and Restrepo first arrived in Miami, they would get in late night throwing sessions. They would arrive at the team's indoor practice facility at 11pm and throw the ball.
The goal was to get something done. They needed to make an impact.
"I don't like losing, I don't like doing bad." I was just trying to do what I could to get on the field and not care about anything else.
It was a success. They tortured the Canes' No. 2 defense on the practice field, and when called upon to join the starting lineup in 2021, they blossomed.
A new philosophy has been pushed by Cristobal this off-season. He said no more late night workouts. He said that people didn't work hard enough during the day if they were at the facility at 11 pm.
It has to be more than one person refining their skills. If he wants to be the quarterback of the team, he needs a crowd with him all the time.
Josh Gattis said it was unnatural for him. We want him to affect more people because people look up to him.
One was a born showman and the other was a natural shyness. Restrepo said that their differences made them connect the best. There were other friends on the team as well. One of the walk-on quarterbacks played golf with him. The two were in the same housing in 2020 and became friends. He was something of a wallflower if he got out of his comfort zone.
Gattis asked Van Dyke how he kept in touch with his players during the off-season. He did not. Most guys have phone numbers.
Gattis said that it was shocking. You're not all being a group chat, how can you build a team of wide receiver, tight end, and quarterback? Are you not watching film? We're trying to build that camaraderie.
It wasn't his fault at all. He wasn't supposed to be the leader. He opened the year on the bench and narrowly missed out on the second job. He was trying to fit in with the other 10 guys when King was hurt.
He isn't a rah-rah man. It has never been done.
He doesn't like giving speeches or doing commercials. I would rather just play golf.
The College H.U.N.K.S. moving company was the subject of an ad by Van Dyke. "Just talk and walk and say College H.U.N.K.S. is a good business, which it is," he said, but it was still a chance to come out of his shell a little."
Drew Gamere, his high school coach, remembers trying to get the kid to open up in a freshman leadership class. Four years later, Van Dyke spoke to the entire school about leadership and opportunity and the responsibility of everyone to make the most of what is in front of them.
Gamere said that he just needed to get used to it.
There's a way to lead.
Frank Ponce, Van Dyke's quarterback coach, said that the player is working on his delivery. Gattis put in a new pro-style offensive system that asked Van Dyke to be more of a pure dropback passer. The chance to refine his skill set and knowledge of the game is a fast learner.
The same approach to leading his team should be taken by Van Dyke.
If you want to win, your best players have to be your leaders. He's proud of that.
There's a text chain and Van Dyke is the leader. He's telling them to put in work, then encouraging them to ignore any setbacks. Corn holes were organized for team building. When the offense flubs a play, the entire unit stays late to run it again until it's right.
"An incomplete pass, and he's angry," said James Williams. He's going to correct someone if they mess up on a route. He is going to tell them that he hit the wrong hole. He doesn't like losing. I see a warrior when I stare at him. There is a man who wants to lead this team. I like that.
It's the same as those late night sessions with Restrepo. It's just that now, there's a whole team of players who want to show how far they've come.
I didn't say a word when I first arrived. I keep guys motivated by texting. It is necessary to have a connection off the field as well. You can trust each other off the field.
It's easy to see something great when you're in Miami.
His father said it was obvious he had talent when he first threw a football. By high school, he was 6 feet 4 inches tall. He's a lean224 pounds with blond hair and an easy smile and looks like a quarterback out of central casting.
Restrepo said that it was a thing of beauty when he threw a trillion dollar arm.
Their first spring scrimmage, Van Dyke led the second-team offense on a touchdown drive, connecting with Restrepo on three straight throws, including a back- shoulder fade on a wheel route for the score.
Restrepo said it was the best throw he had seen. I've got the best quarterback in the world as my friend.
From Jim Kelly to Steve Walsh, there was always a golden boy quarterback. The original QBU was Miami. The run of greatness ended in the early 2000s, and Miami has spent the bulk of this millennium changing between good and bad passers.
This week's game against Texas A&M will be Van Dyke's 11th career start. Mel Kiper has seen enough to have Van Dyke ranked as his No. 3 quarterback for the 2023 draft.
He's not missing anything, according to Kiper. He sees the field and makes good decisions. He has the size and the arm. 11 starts doesn't tell me much.
Miami fans have been burned before.
"Showingcase games" are opportunities for Van Dyke to solidify his NFL future and offer proof that he belongs in the conversation with past Canes stars. He said he's not thinking about the draft or anything else besides what's in front of him.
The latest chorus of "Miami is back!" represents a critical piece to the puzzle, as itTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkiaTrademarkia The next great Miami team needs a next great Miami quarterback.
Kosar has been a regular at Hurricanes practices this fall. I see that he has that little extra "it" factor on top of his abilities. I don't know if I want to put all that pressure on him to join one of the great teams of our time. That's not fair to him. He has the ability to handle it.
The man knows about the legacy. He was drawn to Miami in the first place. He had offers at UCLA and Syracuse, but nothing compared to Miami. He chose the Hurricanes because he thought they could win it all, not just win a few games, but win it all. He might be the piece Miami needed to win again.
"You can see these guys in the rafters and the national championship banners, but Miami hasn't had that in 20 years," he added.
Van Dyke isn't being asked to think that way. He reminds them of how things used to be. He was both a player and an assistant coach for some of Miami's top teams. He told his players that the fields they practice on are sacred and that it was an honor to inherit that legacy. He doesn't like the idea of Miami being back. What is that thing? Miami did not want to have an abstract definition of success. Take a stroll around the Miami football facilities. The U is back to work.
It works well for Van Dyke. What does that mean?
He's been talking to Kosar and Walsh. He met Dan Marino as well. "Just keep doing what I'm doing" was what the Hall of Famer told him.
"If I do this, I can get these awards, but I don't want to think about that," he stated. I get off track at that location.
He is the type of player who would rather hit a few drives off the tee in order to push himself through the back nine. Is it a good idea to listen to the hype. There isn't any fun in that.
People still think it's beginner's luck for him. I tell him that he's the best in the nation. Go time. If he's not the top dog, people are going to doubt him.
Now that he can embrace it, back him into a corner and say it's impossible. It was done against NC State. The challenge in 2020 is a bit smaller.
He learned that he had to tell the world his expectations. There's no more of that. His teammates came to his aid. He needs to pay them back.
It would be cool to be a part of that tradition. Being compared to any of the greats doesn't bother me. I'm not focused on anything else.
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