After an initial appeal for immediate eligibility was denied earlier this month, rumors surfaced earlier this week that Michael Dyer was considering transferring from Arkansas State to a lower-level program, where he would be eligible to play in 2012.
That speculation turned out to be off-base, although that was the only good news on the immediate Dyer front for first-year head coach Gus Malzahn.
At a press conference held Friday afternoon, Malzahn confirm that the school’s appeal of the NCAA’s original decision was denied by the organization. As a result, Dyer, who transferred from Auburn earlier this year, will not play in 2012.
Dyer stated during the presser that he had no idea where the rumors of a move to a Div. II school came from, stating that “I’ve decided to come back, sit out and do what’s best to help my teammates.” Per ArkansasSports360.com, Dyer added that he only considered two options after the second appeal was denied: stay at ASU and play in 2013 or leave in the spring for the NFL.
As Dyer would be three years removed from high school, he will be eligible for the April draft.
If that option is indeed off the table, Dyer’s return would create an interesting storyline early on in the 2013 season as the Red Wolves will face, yes, Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium Sept. 7.
“I’m tickled to death. I know our team is tickled to death,” Malzahn said of Dyer’s return. “We’ll have one of the top running backs in the entire country … eligible to play next year.”
Dyer had rushed for more than 1,000 yards each of his two seasons with the Tigers, and was a first-team All-SEC performer this past season. A year after being named the 2010 title game offensive MVP, he was suspended for the Tigers’ bowl game and left the school a month or so later.