Drew VanVleet, who started four games as a freshman last season, is now preparing for his first full season as the Dayton Flyers’ starting quarterback.
Twenty-four years ago, Dayton Flyers football coach Mike Kelly praised senior linebacker Brad VanVleet, remarking on his exceptional athleticism, size, speed, and hitting power. Kelly stated, “I’d match him up with anybody we’ve had at linebacker over the years.”
Fast forward to 2024, and Drew, the son of Brad, is receiving similar recognition from second-year UD coach Trevor Andrews. VanVleet, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 205 pounds, has been taking nearly all the snaps with the first-team offense during preseason practices.
“He has definitely distinguished himself,” Andrews noted during UD’s annual media day photo shoot at Welcome Stadium.
Drew started four games in the latter part of his freshman year but sat out the season finale to preserve his eligibility, as college players can appear in up to four games while still redshirting.
“It’s great that he has those four starts from last year,” Andrews said. “But he needs to earn it every day. He’s his own toughest critic, which is a positive. He has a strong arm, and it’s about mastering the small details so that they become second nature and allow him to play freely. That improvement comes with repetition. It’s something that can’t be replicated; you have to practice it consistently to enhance your pre-snap operations and the adjustments required as a quarterback.”
VanVleet hails from Richmond, Indiana, like his father, and was a two-year starter at Richmond High School before transferring to Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis for his senior year. During his time there, he played a key role in leading the team to the state championship in 2022, setting a school record with 29 touchdown passes.
Having grown up attending University of Dayton games, Drew has a strong connection to the school. His father, Brad, was an All-Pioneer League Football selection in 1999 and 2000, and his mother, Kelly, played softball at UD from 1998 to 2000.
“We attended all the football games when I was growing up,” Drew recalled. “I admired the players on this field. It was an incredible experience to be recruited by them, almost like a dream come true.”
Drew mentioned that while his father allowed him to choose his college, he was thrilled when Drew picked Dayton.
“It was a surreal moment for him,” Drew said.
Brad expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I love Dayton. I had an amazing experience here. Drew grew up in Flyer uniforms, attending games and participating in Dayton Flyer football camps. It’s a dream come true to see him come here.”
Brad played alongside Andrews for one season; he was a freshman in 1997 when Andrews was a senior safety, and that team finished with a 9-1 record, clinching the Pioneer Football League championship.
“I looked up to him,” Brad shared. “That senior class was exceptional. I followed his coaching career and even met with him at Western Michigan before he took the head coaching position at Dayton.”
Drew was part of Dayton’s 37-member recruiting class in 2023. He received a scholarship offer from Rick Chamberlin, the coach at the time. After Chamberlin’s retirement and Andrews’ hiring in December 2022, Andrews visited Richmond to meet with Drew and his father, leading to Drew’s commitment to the Flyers in January 2023.
Drew is one of four former Flyers’ sons on the 2024 roster:
– **Gavin Lochow**, a sophomore wide receiver and starter as a freshman, is the son of Steve Lochow, who played at UD from 1990-93 and was an All-American defensive lineman.
– **Ty Stylski**, a redshirt junior running back, is the son of Mike Stylski, a running back for the Flyers from 1994-97.
– **Jack Yenichek**, a freshman fullback, is the son of Tony Yenichek, who played on two PFL championship teams in the early 1990s.
At the start of the 2023 season, Dayton had Cole Dow and Dante Casciola sharing quarterback duties, with VanVleet listed as the third-string quarterback. The team primarily used a two-quarterback system throughout the season. VanVleet made his debut on October 17 in a 20-17 overtime loss to Presbyterian.
In his initial three starts against Presbyterian, Butler, and Valparaiso, Dayton lost, but VanVleet secured a win in his fourth start, leading the team to a 35-6 victory over Marist in the home finale, completing 21 of 30 passes for 228 yards, along with two touchdowns and an interception.
“I went 1-3 as a starter, so that’s how I measure my performance,” VanVleet reflected. “The main goal is to secure wins. Moving forward, I’ll do whatever it takes to help us win each week and achieve a PFL championship.”
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