Auburn has agreed to grant sophomore running back Mike Dyer a release from his scholarship, a source close to the situation said Thursday.

AuburnUndercover.com, which first reported the news, cited sources saying head coach Gene Chizik will grant Dyer a conditional release that would allow him to transfer only to a specific set of schools, including Arkansas State, where former Tigers offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn has recently taken over as head coach.

Dyer was suspended indefinitely from the Tigers due to an unspecified violation of team rules Dec. 11 and missed their 43-24 win over Virginia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl last Saturday.

Chizik said at the time of Dyer's suspension that he could return to play at Auburn when -- and if -- he did "the things we feel like he needs to get back at Auburn and get back in an Auburn uniform."

As recently as last Friday, Chizik said Dyer's status with the team had not changed.

"Michael Dyer's status has not changed," Chizik said. "If it does, I'll let you know."

Dyer broke Bo Jackson's Auburn record for rushing yards by a freshman with 1,093 last season and was an All-SEC first-team selection this year, running for 1,242 yards and 10 scores.

He is only the fifth back in Auburn history to run for 1,000 yards or more in consecutive seasons.

If Dyer transfers to another FBS school, he'll have to sit out next year before playing unless he seeks -- and is granted -- an eligibility waiver.

With Dyer's departure, the Tigers still have Onterio McCalebb -- if he doesn't opt for the NFL Draft -- Tre Mason, Mike Blakely and Opelika High grad Corey Grant returning at tailback next year.

Auburn has also received a commitment from four-star back Jovon Robinson from Wooddale (Tenn.) High in Memphis.