After four years at Auburn that flew by before ever really getting started, quarterback Jeremy Johnson was looking forward to his pro career at the Tigers’ Pro Day.

Still, he caught up with James Crepea of AL.com about the success that could’ve been during a college career that was supposed to be so much more.

“It was my fault,” said Johnson. “That is what it is and I leave it at that. The past is the past. Whatever questions I’m asked I’m going to answer it truthfully and I’m not here to bash nobody because it was my fault as well.

“I love coach (Gus) Malzahn, love coach (Rhett) Lashlee, they did a great job. I love being around the players. It’s a new beginning now. … The most important thing was being a man of integrity. I fell like what I’ve been through helped me become a man and mature me.”

Johnson came to Auburn with considerable hype, and his promising freshman year only helped serve to build it.

Rated as a four-star recruit by 247Sports and named Alabama’s Mr. Football in 2012, Johnson joined an Auburn team that came just short of a national title in 2013. During that season, he was twice named SEC Freshman of the Week as he started two games against Western Carolina and FAU. Though Western Carolina is hardly Alabama, his 201-yard, four-touchdown performance against the Catamounts seemed to be a sign of big things to come.

When starter Nick Marshall graduated following the 2014 season, the Tigers’ attack appeared to be loaded with talent and ready for another title run in 2015. Johnson was receiving considerable Heisman hype, too.

However, 2015 would be a 7-6 season that brought Johnson’s flaws to bear. He showed struggles early, throwing three INTs and barely completing 50 percent of his passes in a season-opening win over Louisville. And it all seemed to come apart during the 2015 game against LSU.

We all remember this play.

In that game specifically, Auburn’s defense under Will Muschamp buckled, and Johnson threw for only 100 yards in a 45-21 win for the Bayou Bengals.

Johnson finished 2015 with only 1,054 passing yards across 12 games, throwing 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

2016 saw Johnson enter the season, not as the starter, but as part of a three-quarterback rotation that struggled to score against a Clemson team that played potentially its worst game of the season.

What started as one of the most anticipated quarterback careers on the Plains since Cam Newton ended in a 30-12 shellacking in the Iron Bowl where Johnson completed 4-of-13 passes for 34 yards. He was called upon again in Auburn’s Sugar Bowl loss to Oklahoma but would have no last hurrah, compiling just 93 yards and an interception.

Johnson’s pro success is yet to be determined, and his college career did not go as planned, but two things are for certain: he took full ownership of both, and he did it all with class and integrity. He didn’t become a locker room cancer; he didn’t quit the team, and he didn’t transfer.

Regardless of what happens with his pro aspirations, he can hold his head high knowing he did it the right way.