Former Oregon star Colt Lyerla at a crossroads

In one direction is the NFL, and the fame and riches that accompany being a professional football player. The other direction is where Lyerla found himself in October when he was arrested for cocaine possession.

Lyerla left Oregon’s football team in early October. Prior to leaving, Lyerla was suspended simply for what the school defined as a violation of team rules.

On Oct. 23, undercover officers witnessed Lyerla snorting cocaine in a Eugene, Ore. parking lot. Lyerla pleaded guilty in late December.

“Definitely the lowest point for me was getting in trouble and having it be completely public,” Lyerla said.

He referred to the experience as life changing, and that it left him humbled.

Due to his arrest, Lyerla spent a day in jail and 10 days working on a road crew as part of his restitution. He’ll be on probation for two years, perform random urinalysis tests and attend group meetings about drug usage.

Lyerla said the night he was in jail it sunk in he may not play football again.

“That was huge for me, and like I said, it gave me time to self-reflect and realize that’s a place I never want to be again,” he said.

The thought about Lyerla in 2013 was that he would build on a breakout 2012 season in which he had 25 receptions for 392 yards and six touchdowns. He was one of the most versatile players in the nation, lining up at a tight end, running back and split out wide.

“I think that’s one of the advantages I bring in this tight end group is versatility, and of course, I’d love to be able to do that for any team at the next level,” he said. “But whatever the team needs me to do, I’ll do it, whether that’s special teams or just [being a] regular blocking tight end.”

Lyerla is regarded as an exceptional athlete after registering a reported broad jump of more than 11 feet and jumping on top of a 62-inch box without a running start. “If we can pick up Colt Lyerla in a late round Chicago will fall in love with him,” former teammate and current Chicago Bear Kyle Long said on Twitter. “Played with him. Tone setter, great hands, freak athlete.”

Reuniting with college coach Chip Kelly with the Philadelphia Eagles was something that interested him because he said the two had a good player-coach relationship. But Lyerla did admit he hasn’t been in touch with Kelly.

“I’d say that I’ve put myself in a position where my back’s against the wall, to a point that if I don’t do everything perfect and the right way, that I won’t be able to play football, let alone be successful in any shape and form.”