Dyer preparing to contribute this fall

Contributed Auburn Villager Michael Dyer was said to be deciding between Auburn and Arkansas during the recruiting process, but knew all along that he would eventually sign with the Tigers mainly because of the Gus Malzahn hire.

During his senior season at Little Rock Christian, Michael Dyer's name was usually preceded by a mix of accolades like "Five star," "Arkansas' top player" or "Nation's No. 2 running back."

His commitment announcement was one of the most highly anticipated in the South. He was going to either Auburn or remain in state and choose Arkansas. Fans on message boards battled back and forth as no one knew for certain which school he'd pick.

But Dyer had an answer all along.

"My first day here, I knew I was coming to Auburn," Dyer said. "I fell in love with it. I just wanted to play that little game. I committed a long time ago, but I never told any body. I just went along with it, saying I didn't know. I made a big commotion for nothing."

A main reason Dyer was set on Auburn was because of offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. Dyer had been recruited by the Arkansas native since his eighth grade year and the two stayed in touch over the years.

Wherever Malzahn went, Dyer said he planned to follow.

"Malzahn was the coach who had been on me through everything," Dyer said. "Other coaches didn't start paying attention to me until later. They weren't there for me during some of the hard times. But Coach Malzahn was. I always knew one day I'd play for him."

In the last four years, Malzahn has gone from Arkansas to Tulsa before joining new head coach Gene Chizik at Auburn in 2009. At the time, Dyer was unsure if he could see himself as a Tiger.

"I didn't know much about Auburn then," Dyer said. "I really hadn't seen any of their games."

Dyer's teammate, tight end Dakota Mosley, was set on Auburn early on. Mosley took a trip to the Plains soon after Malzahn was hired and called Dyer to try and get him on campus. Dyer wasn't easily convinced.

Mosley tried again to get Dyer to make the trip to Auburn after his second visit. It wasn't until after his third attempt when Dyer finally agreed.

"After I got here," Dyer said. "I was mad that I