Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Forget Arkansas State running back Michael Dyer’s status for the 2012 season. His spring practice availability  also appears to be in question for the week.

Dyer, who transferred from Auburn and will likely have to sit out the season, is back in the state of Alabama to testify in a robbery trial involving former teammates. According to Al.com the judge presiding over the case told Dyer he could not leave the county and could be called back to testify.

Red Wolves Coach Gus Malzahn said through a spokesman he was “aware” of Dyer’s situation. ASU practiced on Wednesday, but Dyer did not participate. It is unclear if Dyer will be back in time for the spring game on Saturday.

It was during testimony on Wednesday that Dyer provided less than favorable details about his time at Auburn. Dyer, who played two seasons with the Tigers, told the courtroom it was his .45 caliber handgun used in the alleged March 2011 robbery. Dyer admitted that he and teammates were drinking and smoking “spice” (synthetic marijuana) when someone suggested the group commit a robbery.

While Dyer said he did try to talk them out committing the crime, they ultimately wound up with his gun. Those four former players, including Little Rock’s Dakota Mosley, face multiple counts of “of first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and third-degree theft of property stemming from an alleged home invasion.”

Dyer, a two-time all-SEC running back, wasn’t part of the robbery, but his time on the witness stand didn't put him or his time at Auburn in a positive light. Dyer, who was suspended indefinitely at Auburn to end the 2011 season, described his drug use and how his gun came to be involved on the night teammates decided to "hit a lick," apparently a slang term for a robbery.

Al.com says Dyer, a Little Rock native, was combative at times while on the stand and admitted to frequently smoking synthetic marijuana. Dyer testified he smoked “consistently” and the stronger, synthetic version of marijuana would led to him being late to team meetings.

Dyer indicated through an ASU spokesman his return to the state of Arkansas is a fresh start after making mistakes his first two years of college.

“I regret that I made some mistakes during my time at Auburn that unfortunately I cannot go back and change, but I’m back home now, a changed person and moving forward with the help of my family and coaches at ASU,” Dyer said in a statement released by the school.

ASU also released a statement from Malzahn saying: “He knows very well the high standard we have of all our players here at Arkansas State, and I’m confident that he will meet those expectations.”