NFF National Scholar-Athletes
Ed Dyas distinguished himself as one of the best athletes to ever play football at Auburn. A star fullback, linebacker and kicker, he left a legacy that still resonates today. Dyas played for the Tigers for three seasons, including the 1958 season when they went 9-0-1. He dominated his senior season, leading Auburn in rushing and scoring and becoming the sixth leading rusher in Auburn history with 1,298 yards. As a kicker, Dyas led the nation in field goals, and he set the NCAA record for field goals in a season with 13. In 1960, he claimed honors as the SEC’s Most Outstanding Back, and he finished fourth in the running for the Heisman Trophy. During his time at Auburn, he was a three-time All-Conference pick, and he finished his career with a First Team All-America nod.
Dyas was just as impressive in the classroom as he was on the gridiron. The legendary player graduated two quarters early with a 2.33 GPA out of 3.0. A pre-med major, Dyas was ranked No. 4 in the entire School of Science and Literature. He claimed the Bill Streit Award, given to the football player with the highest GPA, and the Cliff hare award, the highest honor an Auburn athlete can receive, for academic, athletic and leadership achievement.
After graduating from Auburn, Dyas attended Tulane University Medical School, and he became a highly-respected orthopedic surgeon in Mobile, Ala. In 1994, he was given the Walter Gilbert Award, which is awarded annually to a former Auburn student-athlete who distinguishes themselves through achievements after graduation. He is a member of three Halls of Fame, including the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. Dyas is part of an elite group of only 32 players to be recognized by the National Football Foundation as both a NFF National Scholar-Athlete and a Hall of Famer (Class of 2009). Dyas passed away at the age of 73 on Jan. 23, 2011.
