Michael Dyer Decision Soon – Louisville Looks Like a Contender

 

UPDATE: 7/29/13

More on Michael Dyer today from ESPN’s Joe Schad:

[tweet https://twitter.com/schadjoe/status/361870257398349825] [tweet https://twitter.com/schadjoe/status/361940177070989312]

And speaking of Louisville and Michael Dyer, below is our update from Saturday morning. …

Here is an interesting post  post on Michael Dyer published overnight by the Louisville Courier-Journal. In addition to the comments from Louisville Cardinals head football coach Charlie Strong regarding what he looks for in any player with or without a history of off-the-field issues…

U of L coach Charlie Strong said at Wednesday’s Governor’s Cup luncheon that he has not added any new members to his team. But speaking in general terms, not specifically about Dyer, the coach outlined his policy for accepting players with off-the-field issues.

“A lot of times you say to people you’re giving a second chance,” Strong said. “As a coach, the only thing you want to do is just make sure you have an impact on a young person’s life. You want to make sure that if you bring anyone into your program, he’s going to become part of your program and you’re not going to become him. That’s what I always say.

“Any time we’re looking to bring anyone into this program, it’s all about us wanting to change that young man’s future and give him a future where he has a chance to go be a productive citizen of society.”

… the article gets comments from Fitz Hill about his expectation that Michael Dyer will be announcing a decision this week.

Hill goes on to discuss Dyer’s progress as a person, and Hill gives his thoughts on Strong and Louisville…

Hill, pointing out that Dyer has never been charged with a crime, believes Dyer and his character have been widely and unjustifiably perceived in a negative light by the public. He praised Dyer as “a very intelligent student” and said he’s continued to pursue his collegiate career in part so he could clear his name, even though it’s possible he could have been an NFL draft selection this year.

Hill, a former coach at San Jose State, said Monday that he’s more interested in making sure Dyer’s next school offers a good support system than he is “how many times he runs the football.” Hill considers Strong a longtime friend in the profession and believes he could provide the tailback with that support.

“From that standpoint, man, (Louisville is) incredible,” Hill said “… If you’re asking me what I think about Louisville, I don’t know if there could be a better fit for Michael, based off the support system that he could surround himself with. But President Hill won’t make that decision. But if (Dyer) asks my opinion …”

The entire article is certainly worth a read and is available here.

Bret Bielema was asked about adding any walk-on running backs earlier this week and said he had no plans to do so. The rumors have ramped up the former Arkansas prep, former Auburn and former Arkansas State running back Michael Dyer is getting a look from University of South Florida’s new head coach Willie Taggart.

The Tampa Bay Times is reporting:

Not only did USF football host former Auburn running back Michael Dyer for a visit this past weekend, but the president of Arkansas Baptist College, where Dyer spent the past year, said he has spoken to Bulls coach Willie Taggart by phone about the potential transfer.

“I told Coach Taggart he’s an accountability mentor, not just for Michael, but for all student-athletes who come from similar backgrounds,” said Fitz Hill, the college’s president and a former football coach who spent eight years as an assistant at Arkansas and was head football coach at San Jose State from 2001-04. “It’s having people in place to steer and guide a young man in the right direction. I’m looking for a stable situation for him, where he has a great support system.”