For the better part of two weeks now, the rumors have been flying around the internet and Twitter about where former Auburn running back Michael Dyer may eventually end up. According to many sources in the business, Michael’s decision ultimately came down to four schools: Louisville, South Florida, Western Kentucky, and Troy. All speculation can now be put to bed, as late this evening USA Today sports reporter George Schroeder let the cat out of the bag when he announced that Dyer will enroll at the University of Louisville next week, according to Dyer’s mentor Fitz Hill. And more specifically, he will be a member of the Cardinal football program. Dyer will have 2 years of eligibility remaining, but the good news is that he will be eligible to play immediately. The Cardinals open up their 2013 campaign on September 1st when they take on the Ohio University Bobcats in “The Oven” at 3:30 pm on ESPN.
Dyer began his college career with a bang as he was named the MVP of the 2010 BCS National Championship game that saw him rush for 143 yards rushing on 22 carries. As a whole, Dyer rushed for 1,093 yards and 5 touchdowns while breaking Bo Jackson’s Auburn freshman yardage record from 1982. Then Michael would follow up his strong freshman season with an even better sophomore campaign when he compiled 1,242 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns.
It seemed as though Dyer was poised to have another stellar season as a junior for Auburn in 2012, but that would never materialize because of an off the field incident that found him suspended for the for the Tigers bowl game in 2011. Michael would never suit up for Auburn again. Then in January, former Auburn Offensive Coordinator and then Arkansas State head coach Gus Malzahn announced that Dyer would be transferring and applying for a waiver so that he could potentially play for the Red Wolves right away. That too, would never happen with Dyer leaving Arkansas State after video of a traffic stop for speeding was leaked online.
Dyer would then decide it would be in his best interest to take some time away from football and would take some solid advice from his former high school football coach to enroll at Arkansas Baptist College, in his hometown of Little Rock. He used that opportunity to get his priorities in order before he would even consider a possible return to the gridiron. While at Arkansas Baptist, the college president Fitz Hill decided he would take Dyer under his wing because he saw the person he had become while at Auburn and who he really was in high school and wanted to return to. With a strong educational foundation under his belt and mentor behind him, Michael graduated this spring from the Little Rock school with his AA Degree. He would then begin his search to find a school that would allow him to turn his football career around, as well as continuing to grew as a man.
Enter Charlie Strong and the Louisville Cardinals. While many people may question whether this move makes any sense for the Cardinals to make, do not forget that Strong is also from Arkansas and he knows what it is like to come from humble beginnings. It also did not hurt that Charlie just so happens to be close friends with Dyer’s former high school football coach. Therefore, no one can say that Strong does not have the groundwork laid to enable him to have made such a difficult decision by bringing Michael into the program. With all things being said, if Coach Strong and the players are able to see enough change from Dyer and allow him the opportunity to be on the team, then we as fans owe him the same chance as well.
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Chris Raggard
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