Michael Dyer looking at non-BCS options for final two seasons

Michael Dyer, whose play was key for Auburn as they won the 2011 BCS National Championship Game, hopes he can make his return to football this upcoming year, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be able to do it at a BCS squad as previously hoped.

The last we heard of Dyer, he was interested in playing at TCU, and there were also reports that he was interested in playing for Arkansas as a walk-on. However, those opportunities, as well as an opportunity at Louisville have apparently fallen through, with all those teams rescinding prior interest: ESPN’s Joe Schad reports that the running back has heard from Sun Belt squads Western Kentucky and Troy, as well as FCS Illinois State, and that he’d like to be enrolled at one of the schools within two weeks. A grain of salt is required: previous reports of Dyer’s interest at various schools have also come from Schad with Dyer’s uncle as the primary source, and that’s the same situation we have here.

Dyer’s twisting, turning college career has already had three stops. First was Auburn, where the high school All-American broke Bo Jackson’s record for rushing yards by a freshman, including a 143-yard effort in the national title game that earned him offensive MVP honors. But before the team’s 2011 bowl game, Dyer was suspended by Auburn, and eventually he opted to transfer. He chose to go to Arkansas State to play with his Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, but would never suit up for the Red Wolves after a run-in with the law featuring a gun and marijuana. Charges against him were later dropped, but it was enough to cost him his spot on the team. Recently, he was alleged by former teammate Mike McNeil to have been academically ineligible for the 2011 title game.

Dyer claims he hasn’t smoked marijuana, real or synthetic, in over six months, and says he no longer carries a gun. He didn’t play football while attaining an associate’s degree at Arkansas Baptist, but wants to get back on the field with hopes of getting a full college degree or perhaps making the NFL. He still has two years of eligibility remaining, and should have the talent to do serious damage at a mid-major if no big school is interested.

• The year’s biggest recruiting event is upon us

• Conference realignment is official! Let’s celebrate

• Preseason All-America team led by Jadeveon Clowney, Johnny Manziel

• National recruiting coverage

• Today’s college football news headlines