Once Auburn running back Michael Dyer had been suspended from the Chick-fil-A Bowl for violating team rules and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn announced he was leaving to coach Arkansas State, rumors began to fly that the former 5-star recruit would be leaving the program.

According to an AP source, the Tigers have granted Dyer a release from his scholarship. The source spoke to the AP under the condition of anonymity and did not say where Dyer would transfer, though it is expected that he will transfer to Arkansas State.

As a true freshman last year, he helped Cam Newton and company get to—and win—the BCS National Championship Game, where he earned MVP honors. He followed that up with a 1,242-yard and 10-touchdown season this year.

Obviously losing a guy with that kind of production in the SEC will hurt Auburn, but Gene Chizik has been recruiting with the best of the best.

Junior Onterio McCalebb and freshman Tre Mason replaced Dyer in the Chick-fil-A Bowl and ran for 173 yards on just 19 carries. Four-star recruit Jovon Robinson will also be coming in this season but the loss of 5-star T.J. Yeldon who flipped from Auburn to Alabama will hurt a lot more now.

More on this story as it develops.