There were a lot of happy college graduates on Friday outside of Littlejohn Coliseum, but it was harder to find one happier than Tyshon Dye.

“This is kind of crazy,” Dye said. “It is a blessing to kind of make it to this point.”

The former Clemson running back was part of 63 student-athletes in 13 different sports that graduated from Clemson University during ceremonies the past two days. Dye decided back in January he was going to transfer for his final football season after he graduated.

Dye decided last week to begin work on his graduate degree at East Carolina University where he will play his last year of college football. Because he is a graduate student, he does not have to sit out a year.

“I just think at the end of the day it was the best decision,” he said. “I got a lot of support here and from a lot of the coaches in helping me make my decision. They showed a lot of support throughout the process.”

Dye says he appreciates everything Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and his position coach, Tony Elliott, did for him during his time at Clemson and throughout the entire transfer process.

“I definitely respect and appreciate that because they did not have to do that, especially coming from Coach Swinney. I appreciate him as a great man, a great father figure, a great person and everything. I’m thankful for a person like that to be in my life.

“It might be for a short amount of time, but I always know he will always be in my corner and will help me in any way possible … He and Coach Elliott.”

As for what it means to be a Clemson graduate? It means the world to Dye. He leaves Clemson with no regrets while knowing he made life-long friends along the way.

“I chose this school at a very young age,” he said. “Then living through it … not many people enjoy their time. They feel like they have some regrets because there were certain things they did not get to do or there were things that did not go their way.

“I can honestly say I don’t feel that way even though it did not go as I had planned. Ultimately, I’m glad I came to this place. It is a great family atmosphere and everything. The coaches are great. Their families are great. Everything about Clemson is great so I definitely do not regret my decision for coming here.”