News Taffy

By Lisa Turner The stars may be aligning again for the Arkansas State Red Wolves.

Jonesboro.com college football writer Lisa Turner has learned that Michael Dyer, a sophomore All-SEC running back at Auburn this season, filed paperwork this afternoon to enroll at Arkansas State University.

Lingering rumors of a Dyer transfer heated up last week after Red Wolves players Artez Brown and Ryan Wilbourn took to social networks to welcome Dyer to the Red Wolves. Both men later said their welcome messages were not based on first hand knowledge, and mentions of the Dyer transfer by other Arkansas State players promptly disappeared from internet sites. Auburn fan sites were besieged with posts from Tigers fans pleading with Dyer to stay put.

Dyer, a high school star at Little Rock Christian and an all-SEC performer at Auburn, is currently a sophomore. He would be required under NCAA transfer rules to sit out the 2012 football season at Arkansas State. However, allthough it has not yet been confirmed, sources say Dyer is pursuing a hardship exemption from NCAA that would allow him to not miss any time on the field in the upcoming season and return to his home state to be near an ailing relative.

Dyer rushed for 1,242 yards and 10 touchdowns at Auburn this season. He ended the 2011 season on suspension for violation of team rules and Auburn's athletic department refused to rule out that Dyer's suspension would not carry over to the 2012 schedule.

Arkansas State University Director of Admissions Tammy Fowler could not be reached for comment.

Arkansas State is traveling to Mobile, Ala., today to prepare for the GoDaddy.com Bowl. The Sun Belt Champion Red Wolves (10-2) will play the Northern Illinois Huskies (9-3) of the MAC conference in a Sunday night game that will be televised nationally by ESPN.

Photo courtesy of AuburnTigers.com.