Did you recognize the starting tailback for Louisville against Florida State last Thursday on ESPN?
He is Michael Dyer, who, until as recently as three weeks ago, was a candidate for one of those “Where Are They Now?” stories.
Dyer was on top of the world of college football in January 2011, when he was named the offensive Most Valuable Player after Auburn defeated Oregon 22-19 for the BCS national championship. But his career began to unravel shortly afterward when he was kicked off the team at Auburn and sent away at Arkansas State before he even played a down for the Red Wolves.
Some Arkansas fans don’t like Dyer, mostly because he snubbed the Razorbacks and signed with an SEC rival. But Arkansas fans love Korliss Marshall, who is currently suspended and in danger of being kicked off the team by coach Bret Bielema.
Marshall would do well to familiarize himself with Dyer’s story and avoid the same pitfall as the former high school All-American from Little Rock Christian.
Dyer rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his two seasons at Auburn, but he was suspended his sophomore year by former Auburn coach Gene Chizik for violating team rules before the Tigers played Virginia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Dyer eventually left Auburn after a gun he owned was used in a robbery by some former teammates. Gus Malzahn offered Dyer another chance after Malzahn became coach at ASU, but Dyer blew that opportunity following a traffic stop where a gun was found in the trunk of the car.
Dyer began to resurface with much help from Fitz Hill, a former football assistant at Arkansas and current president of Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock. After months away from football, Dyer eventually earned an associate’s degree that helped him regain his eligibility at a Division I school.
“Michael was not a special case. This is what we do with kids every day,” Hill said during a phone interview last Friday. “Sometimes kids, especially athletes, get caught up in the limelight and become attracted to things they shouldn’t be involved with. We try to help them avoid those things and take advantage of the opportunities they have here in the United States of America. You don’t see people slipping into Mexico for an opportunity. It’s here right in front of them, if they take advantage of it.”
Dyer landed at Louisville, where he is doing well academically and is on track to graduate in December. But Dyer played only sparingly as a junior and was still behind on the depth chart when given another opportunity by Bobby Petrino, the current king of second chances after his dismissal from Arkansas.
Dyer shined in his first start with Louisville on Oct. 18 when he rushed for 173 yards in a 30-18 victory over North Carolina State. He looked even better on the national stage against Florida State when he rushed for 134 yards and three touchdowns.
The guys in the ESPN broadcast booth raved ability Dyer’s ability to make cuts and pick up the tough yards. Dyer is relevant again and in a much better position for a chance at a career in the NFL.
“Michael was always a very smart kid,” said Hill, who went to Louisville last year and watched Dyer play in a game. “So, academics was never the issue. I’m pleased he’s got his life back in order and in position again where he can continue to play football for a living.”
Marshall, or any player who skirts with trouble in high school or college, can learn from the mistakes Dyer has made. It’s been a long and arduous climb for Dyer, who had the resolve and people like Dr. Hill to help him make the most of his potential as a student and athlete.
Louisville lost its showdown with Florida State on Thursday, but Dyer has regained a future in football. It’s been a long process he would not recommend to anyone.