Ranking the Oakland Raiders Top 5 UDFA’s
By Austin Gayle
1. Michael Dyer
Nov 22, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Louisville Cardinals running back Michael Dyer (5) rushes the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Former Auburn star and BCS National Championship running back Michael Dyer has all of the statistics and accolades needed to be a high draft pick in the NFL, if you only look at his first two collegiate years.
During his first two years at Auburn Dyer earned 2,335 yards and 15 touchdowns in just 26 games. He averaged roughly 5.5 yards per carry during that two-year stretch, but that is when his career started to go downhill.
According to Michael Casagrande of AI.com, Dyer chose to leave Auburn and was unable to participate in the 2012 season due to transfer restrictions. Dyer first attempted to follow Gus Malzahn to Arkansas State, but he ran into some legal issues while away from football and was released from the team before the 2013 season started.
Dyer eventually landed at the University of Louisville, in which he spent his final two years of eligibility. His production dropped dramatically at Louisville, as he earned just 704 yards and seven touchdowns in his 16 games with the Cardinals.
Although he did not put up huge numbers, Dyer did show flashes of his old self during his senior year at Louisville, and if he can continue to develop over the offseason he could possibly secure the No. 2 or No 3 running back spot during the regular season.