LITTLE ROCK — Lying low since his dismissal from Arkansas State, running back Michael Dyer pecked out a tweet late Monday announcing his latest destination in trying to revive his career: Prairie View A&M.
Dyer, who was dismissed July 29 for a violation of team rules, supposedly wrote on his Twitter account.
There's only one hiccup: No one told Prairie View A&M Coach Heishma Northern of the Panthers' newest addition.
And even if Dyer were to seek refuge at a Football Championship Subdivision program, it's not clear whether NCAA rules would permit the Little Rock native and former Auburn running back from suiting up immediately this season.
"I have not talked to anyone on Mike's behalf, and I'm pretty sure some of my players may have tweeted back and forth with him," Northern said. "I don't know if anyone on my staff has."
Representatives close to Dyer were not available for comment Tuesday about whether the Little Rock Christian alum indeed planned to join the Panthers.
Dyer was dismissed from ASU by Coach Gus Malzahn after the disclosure of a video showing a traffic stop in March where the running back was pulled over for speeding and an Arkansas State Police trooper found marijuana and a registered handgun in the vehicle.
Dyer, who left Auburn in January after being suspended indefinitely, disclosed the incident to Malzahn but left out the detail about the potential possession of marijuana. The failure to disclose that fact to Malzahn led to ASU's high-profile addition being booted.
The controversy arose four months after Dyer testified in Alabama court during the trial of a former Auburn player about providing a registered .45-caliber handgun to three Tigers players used during a March 2011 home invasion.
In addition, Dyer told a Lee County Circuit Court jury he also smoked synthetic marijuana, known as spice, and was invited by the three players charged to "hit a lick" by taking part in the robbery of a trailer.
While Northern is intrigued by the talents offered by Dyer, he said the running backs baggage would require extra institutional scrutiny on the part of the Prairie View A&M's chancellor and athletic director before bringing him on board for the 2012 season.
Rushing for 2,335 yards and 15 touchdowns in two seasons at Auburn, Dyer emerged as one the premier running backs in the SEC and was named the MVP of the 2011 BCS national championship game.
"We're a school of second chances, just like many schools at our level, but we'd have to see what has been said about him, what he says about himself," Northern said. "Somewhere in between, there's going to be some truth from both ends."
However, it's unclear whether Dyer, who would be transferring for the second time in eight months, would be eligible to play this season.
Under NCAA bylaws, a player is allowed to transfer one-time and "is required to complete one full academic year of residence at the certifying institution before being eligible to compete."
Generally, players who transfer from down a division from the FBS to FCS are allowed to play immediately, but because Dyer did not complete one year at ASU, an NCAA waiver would be required for him to set foot on the field in 2012.
For Northern, the scenario is a familiar one, but he's not certain whether Dyer, whose transfer was brought about after a behavioral dismissal, would clear the threshold for approval.
"They sort through that on a case-by-case basis," Northern said. "A lot of people think as long as you're transferring down, you'll be able to play right away. ... It can work both ways, and there's no clear-cut basis for him to play right away."