Former Auburn tailback Michael Dyer has confirmed he will play at Louisville this season, making an already potent Cardinals offense even stronger.
"I am ready to start a new chapter in my life," Dyer said in a statement Friday morning. "I've learned from my past and feel that Louisville is the best place to play the second half of my collegiate career. I thank God for Coach (Charlie) Strong's belief in me. I am not going to let him down."
If healthy and in shape, Dyer almost certainly would start at tailback for the Cardinals, who are ranked ninth in the preseason coaches' poll and a prohibitive favorite to win the AAC title. Louisville moves to the ACC next season.
Louisville returns Senorise Perry and Dominique Brown at tailback, but both are coming off knee injuries. Plus, if fully engaged, Dyer is better than both of them.
Dyer gives the Cardinals another weapon on a loaded offense. Junior QB Teddy Bridgewater is one of the best in the nation at his position, and the Cardinals also have a deep and experienced wide receiver corps.
Dyer spent two seasons at Auburn and reached the 1,000-yard plateau in each. In 2010, he rushed for a school freshman-record 1,093 yards and five TDs, and was named MVP in the BCS National Championship Game. In 2011, he ran for 1,242 yards and 10 TDs. Shortly after the end of 2011 regular season, he was suspended for a violation of team rules and was released from his scholarship in early 2012.
He transferred to Arkansas State to play for former Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn (who now is back at Auburn, as head coach) but never played a down before being dismissed from the team in July 2012. He then moved on to Arkansas Baptist College, where he didn't play football but did earn an associate's degree.
The Louisville Courier-Journal reported last week a school official had confirmed that Dyer had been added to the registrar's system; Dyer has until Aug. 26 to officially register for the fall semester. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Follow Mike Huguenin on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.