Michael Dyer

[StatTiger 3,188]

* Michael Dyer was one of only three true freshman running backs to rush for over 1000-yards in 2010.

* Michael Dyer became the first running back to rush for 1000-yards as a freshman at Auburn.

* Though Marcus Lattimore received far more media attention than Dyer, both running backs finished the season with four 100-yard rushing performances. Dyer had a better average per rush, averaging 6.01 yards per attempt to Lattimore’s 4.81 yards.

* At 5-9, 215 Michael Dyer combined power, strength, quickness and elusiveness. Over the past 20 seasons, Auburn’s leading rusher at the running back position lost an average percentage of 4.7 percent in yardage. Of Dyer’s 182 rush attempts, he lost a grand total of 13-yards over 14 games. This equates to a lost yardage percentage of only 1.2 percent, which was the lowest percentage of over the past 20 seasons.

* Auburn’s leading rusher from the RB position over the past 20 seasons has averaged 4.97 yards per carry. Dyer’s average of 6.01 yards was the second highest over the past two decades.

* During the first half of the season, Dyer averaged 5.3 yards per rush and 6.6 yards during the second half of the season.

* Michael Dyer’s 5.78 yards within conference play was the second best average per carry by an Auburn running back over the past 35 seasons. Bo Jackson averaged 5.54 yards per rush against SEC opponent’s during his freshman year and Carnell Williams averaged 5.41 yards.

* Michael Dyer equaled Bo Jackson’s three 100-yard rushing performances against a SEC opponent during a freshman season.

* During Ben Tate’s senior season, he had 263 rush attempts for the season. It included 61 runs for a first down or touchdown, 33 runs of 10-yards or more and 8 runs of 20-yards or more. Michael Dyer had only 182 carries but 49 went for a first down or touchdown, 33 went for 10-yards or more and 11 went for 20-yards or more.

* Michael Dyer was tackled for a loss 5 times during his first 100 carries and only once in last 82 carries of the season. During his last 82 carries, Dyer averaged 6.72 yards per rush and 45.1 percent of his 182 carries resulted in at least 5-yards.

With the departure of Cameron Newton, Michael Dyer will likely be the primary ball carrier in 2011. Because he will undergo his first full off-season conditioning program, Dyer will be further developed physically and his comfort zone in the offense will mean better recognition and more reaction rather than thinking. Auburn will return to a more traditional running game in 2011, becoming more reliant on their running backs. During the season’s Auburn fielded a 1000-yard rusher, the RB normally accounted for 47.4 percent of the team’s rushing yardage. Dyer’s 1000-season accounted for only 27.4 percent of Auburn’s rushing totals in 2010.

[aubiescottie 1]

If we can make a run for the SEC/BCS Championship in 2012, he'll have an opportunity to win a Heisman, IMO.

[Justin5 20]

If we can make a run for the SEC/BCS Championship in 2012, he'll have an opportunity to win a Heisman, IMO.

He does have the HUGE advantage of having a national name already. It isn't out of the realm of possibility (if we put together a magical 2012).

[BigSammyK 171]

Great points. I just hope he has a line to run behind next season. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see his numbers drop off next year and then get huge his junior year.

[BeasFan 3]

If we can make a run for the SEC/BCS Championship in 2012, he'll have an opportunity to win a Heisman, IMO.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heisman_Trophy

Age

Most winners of the Heisman have been seniors.[8]

No freshman has ever won the award. No sophomore won the Heisman in its first 72 years, at which point there were three consecutive sophomore winner: Tim Tebow in 2007, followed by Sam Bradford then Mark Ingram, Jr.. Only a few juniors have won the award, starting with the eleventh winner, Doc Blanchard in 1945.

Five players have finished in the top three of the Heisman voting as freshmen or sophomores before later winning the award: Angelo Bertelli, Glenn Davis, Doc Blanchard, Doak Walker, and Herschel Walker. Six players have finished in the top three as freshmen or sophomores but never won a Heisman: Clint Castleberry, Marshall Faulk, Michael Vick, Rex Grossman, Larry Fitzgerald, and Adrian Peterson. Three players have specifically finished second in consecutive years: Glenn Davis (second in 1944 and 1945, winner in 1946), Charlie Justice (second 1948 and 1949) and Darren McFadden (second 2006 and 2007).

In terms of chronological age, the oldest Heisman winner was 28-year-old Chris Weinke of Florida State in 2000; he spent six years in minor league baseball before enrolling at FSU.

War Eagle, Michael!

[mcgufcm 4,109]

When it comes to the skill positions, Dyer is going to be the key to the offense next year. The OL is obviously essential, but if we assume solid play with a partial drop off (fair expectation), Dyer is the next most important guy in my eyes. Any green OL is going to be better in run blocking than they are in pass protection (less to think about), which means we have to be successful running between the tackles. That takes pressure off Trotter (or whoever the new QB is) and sets up McCalebb on the outside (and Reed or whoever on the misdirection stuff). Dyer is going to be huge for this team next year in much the same way Tate's success was essential for the 2009 team.

[StatTiger 3,188]

When it comes to the skill positions, Dyer is going to be the key to the offense next year. The OL is obviously essential, but if we assume solid play with a partial drop off (fair expectation), Dyer is the next most important guy in my eyes. Any green OL is going to be better in run blocking than they are in pass protection (less to think about), which means we have to be successful running between the tackles. That takes pressure off Trotter (or whoever the new QB is) and sets up McCalebb on the outside (and Reed or whoever on the misdirection stuff). Dyer is going to be huge for this team next year in much the same way Tate's success was essential for the 2009 team.

+1

[ziggyg 2]

If we can make a run for the SEC/BCS Championship in 2012, he'll have an opportunity to win a Heisman, IMO.

He does have the HUGE advantage of having a national name already. It isn't out of the realm of possibility (if we put together a magical 2012).

It could easily come down to him and Lattimore.

[banditmwp 713]

I agree with the above statements. I also feel that by 2012, Dyer will be ready to take the team on his shoulders and be a leader. I saw some of that developing during the BCSNCG.

[Duder 243]

Dyer is a ball player, no doubt about that. I would urge you to taper expectations until we see how the rest of the team develops. Dyer has a ton of a ability. BUT, this year he ran behind perhaps the best o-line in school history and stood in the backfield next to the biggest-playmaker we've seen since Bo. Dyer has a ton of talent and will be damn good before he leaves but Cam certainly drew a ton of attention.

Not trying to play buzz kill. I hope Dyer wins a Heisman and he certainly has the ability to do so. I just hope the supporting cast develops and we can continue to surround him with great playmakers.

[OKieAuburnDoug 1]

Urban Myer should've read that from Stat before sounding ridiculous during the postgame chatter.

[nanatiger 3]

Urban Myer should've read that from Stat before sounding ridiculous during the postgame chatter.

[mcgufcm 4,109]

No offense to this group of guys. That wasn't even the best line at Auburn in the decade. Dyer is going to be relied on next season. Not 2012. I think he'll produce. Will his ypc dip? Of course. He's the feature, not the accent. But I fully expect him to produce from start to finish if he's healthy. We're a running team, and he's the primary running threat now. I don't look forward to 2012. I expect him to be a 1300-1400 yard back next year.