By Mark Pszonak
In today’s Fact or Fiction – Portal Edition – I look at three quarterback transfers, what they might accomplish this season, and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or FICTION.
1. Kentucky QB Brock Vandagriff will help lead the Wildcats to the top tier of the SEC this season
Mark’s take: FACT
Head coach Mark Stoops has successfully made Kentucky a consistent winner in the SEC, but back-to-back 7-6 seasons have Wildcat fans wanting more. Last season’s transfer quarterback addition, Devin Leary, wasn’t able to ignite the offense in the way that many hoped, so now the job falls to Brock Vandagriff. While he arrives from Georgia after passing for only 165 yards during his time with the Bulldogs, the excitement has been high in Lexington that he will be the one to bring more fire power back into the offense. And with the help of the returning dynamic duo of Dane Key and Barion Brown at receiver, plus the transfer additions of Ja’Mori Maclin and Fred Farrier II and the early emergence of true freshman Hardley Gilmore IV, Vandagriff has an over-abundance of options to help him succeed. Expect a big season from Vandagriff, and with that the Wildcats will make some noise this season in the SEC.
2. Oregon QB Dillion Gabriel will finish the season as the NCAA all-time leader in TD passes
Mark’s take: FACT
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Dillon Gabriel enters the 2024 season with 125 career touchdown passes, which is 30 behind the all-time leader, Case Keenum. So, will he have 31 touchdown passes this season? Yes, and he will do it easily. I say that even though he has never thrown more than 32 touchdowns in a season and finished with 30 last season at Oklahoma. However, this passing attack in Oregon is different, and Gabriel will flourish. With wide receivers Evan Stewart, Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden at his disposal, the touchdown passes will come often and in bunches. If Bo Nix can throw 45 touchdown passes, as he did in 2023, then Gabriel can easily pass for more than 31.
3. Wisconsin QB Tyler Van Dyke will be the answer the offense needs in Madison
Mark’s take: FICTION
I’m still a firm believer that you shouldn’t tinker with something that has worked, especially when it has worked for a couple of decades. The Badgers were known for their successful running game and powerful line, which resulted in ten 10-win seasons since 2005. Head coach Luke Fickell decided to introduce more of an open passing offense after taking control of the program prior to last season and that resulted in a 7-6 season. Last year’s transfer quarterback, Tanner Mordecai, wasn’t the answer in 2023 and Tyler Van Dyke won’t be the answer in 2024. Van Dyke never managed to reach his potential in the perfect weather of Coral Gables, so how is he going to perform in the cold weather of Madison? Keep in mind that starting October 26th, the Badgers have three games in Madison, one in Iowa and one in Nebraska. This isn’t the recipe for a successful passing offense.
