The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

BLOG: What we know about the Michael Dyer, Pittsburg State rumors

By Ryan Atkinson
Globe Sports Writer

JOPLIN, Mo. — It began yesterday evening and picked up steam throughout the night: Michael Dyer, former Auburn stud running back, was heading to Pittsburg State.

The rumor originated with Matt Miller (https://twitter.com/nfldraftscout), a local guy with a healthy twitter following who writes on the NFL Draft for bleacherreport.com. That got things in football-mad Pittsburg rolling.

Here is what we know for sure:

• Dyer was the first Auburn tailback to rush for more that 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons.

• He was suspended indefinitely by Auburn coach Gene Chizik for violating unspecified team rules.
• Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn left in December to become the head coach at Arkansas State.
• Dyer decided he wanted to follow Malzahn to Arkie State and Chizik granted him a release from his scholarship at Auburn.
• The NCAA, earlier this month, did not clear Dyer to play the 2012 season at Arkansas State.

That all leads us to the speculation that Dyer wants to transfer to a DII school, where he would be able to play immediately.

Pittsburg State head coach Tim Beck has nothing to say on the matter, just as those in the PSU media relations department do not.

Some close to the Pitt State program say it is a "50/50 shot" that Dyer ends up with the Gorillas. And as many 'sources' are saying Dyer is on his way to Southeast Kansas, just as many seem to be saying there is nothing to the rumor.

Like everything else, those words should be taken for what they're worth ... which is nothing at the moment.

Arkansas State has scheduled a 1 p.m. press conference for Friday.

Everything else, for now at least, is purely speculation.