One of Auburn's locker room favorites has decided to leave the program in search of another opportunity.

Defensive back Michael Sherwood is no longer with the team and will attempt to join another program as a graduate transfer, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn announced Monday after the first day of fall camp. Sherwood is finishing his undergraduate degree from the college of education.

"Mike Sherwood is looking to graduate and play his fifth year somewhere else," Malzahn said. "I'm not sure exactly where that's at. Mike's done a super job for us. He was an energy guy and we wish him nothing but the best."

A 5-foot-9, 175-pound former walk-on, Sherwood -- nicknamed "Dirty Mike" -- appeared in six games over the last two seasons as a reserve defensive back. He recorded five tackles and a pass breakup in those six games.

Sherwood was one of seven walk-ons to earn a scholarship during fall camp last year. Sherwood was a jack of all trades in the Tigers' secondary last season and this spring, capable of playing a variety of positions on the back end of the defense. This spring, he saw time at safety to help bolster the team's depth on the back end.

In March, defensive coordinator Kevin Steele did not rule out the possibility of Sherwood working his way into the Tigers' rotation in the secondary.

"He's a smart football player," Steele said at the time. "He loves to practice. You could grab him and throw him in at Buck. He'd love to do it. That's just the kind of guy he is. He's our utility guy. When he gets to a point where, somebody like today, somebody got dinged out there today with something. It wasn't bad, but a little limp. The trainer grabbed them. You don't even turn around. You just grab Sherwood, grab Mike. It doesn't matter what position. You just grab him and throw him.

"Now, not defensive line. But, hey, go play corner, go play star, go play safety. He'll go out there, communicate and knows. He's a very smart football player."