Wisconsin football players just learned a brutal change in the health of quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, who is set to miss the rest of the 2024 season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, according to Sports.
With Van Dyke out for the rest of the year, the Badgers will now turn to his backup, sophomore Braedyn Locke, to serve as point guard.
While losing Van Dyke was a painful blow to the Badgers, Wisconsin Head Coach Fickell has complete confidence in Locke.
“He knows the offense like the back of his hand,” Fickell said of Locke, who will now take over as the QB1 for the Wisconsin football team.
“He can make some adjustments and checks before we even get the call. So he’s a student of the game. I think there’s some other things that are a little different. He made some pretty darn good pull reads and throws in tight windows and with some movement. … We’re going to have to be smart, but we’re going to have to figure out what we need to be able to adjust to and adapt to.”
Van Dyke suffered the injury early in Saturday’s 42-10 loss in Madison against Alabama Crimson TideLocke then stepped up to the plate, finishing the game with 125 yards passing and a touchdown with no interceptions on 13-of-26 completions.
Braedyn Locke Ready to Help Wisconsin Football Team
Locke is no stranger to being called upon to start in place of an injured quarterback ahead of him on the depth chart, having made a handful of starts in place of Tanner Mordecai in 2023.
“I definitely learned a lot last year just from dealing with this scenario before,” Locke said of getting the chance to compete for Wisconsin again.
“I think just the experience helps, even if it’s only been 3 1/2 games, I think it helps you as a player. … I’ve learned how to prepare as a starter over the last two years, being here. I feel confident in my preparation and I feel confident in the locker room and I believe in the guys there.”
Locke will make his first appearance of the 2024 season on September 28 in an away game against the USC Trojans.
More information about sports in Wisconsin:
Follow me on Twitter: @mcquadewarnoldfollow us @WiSportsHeroics. You can also contact McQuade Arnold by email at [email protected]. To read more of our articles and stay up to date with the latest on ALL sports in Wisconsin, Click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers. Go Pack Go. He Wisconsin. FearTheDeer. This Is My Crew.
Mayfield Sports Marketing
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing at 262-366-8188 to schedule Green Bay Packers players or alumni for your corporate presentation or product promotion. Our booking agents will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your chosen sports speaker. Mayfield Sports Marketing has earned a reputation as the go-to person to book top athletes to speak at events and trade shows. To learn more about the costs and fees for booking Packers players or alumni, call us today. www.MayfieldSports.com.
