5 who underachieved, overachieved from the 2012 SEC class

For the members of the class of 2012 who did not redshirt or transfer, their careers are coming to a close as the 2015 season wraps up. Looking back on the class as a whole, five SEC signees stand out as having underachieved and another five as overachievers.

Here’s the list:

5 WHO UNDERACHIEVED

1. Keith Marshall (Georgia): As a five-star prospect, Marshall was considered the top running back of the class of 2012. At Georgia, Marshall’s career was hampered by repeated injuries and competition on the depth chart. While Marshall was sidelined, Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb established themselves as top Bulldogs running backs. Spread out over four seasons, Marshall has 239 career carries for 1317 yards and 12 touchdowns.
2. Shaq Roland (South Carolina): As 2011’s Mr. South Carolina football, big things were expected for Roland as a Gamecock. In three seasons at USC, Roland faced multiple suspensions and left with career numbers of 56 receptions for 891 yards and 10 touchdowns. Roland transferred to Winston-Salem State, but did not play this fall to focus on academics.
3. Zeke Pike (Auburn): Pike signed as a four-star quarterback with Auburn in 2012, but a public intoxication arrest that summer sent him packing. He transferred to Louisville and converted to tight end for the 2013 season. An arrest at Louisville led him to transfer again, this time to FCS Murray State. He was dismissed from Murray State following an arrest in August for marijuana possession and multiple traffic violations.
4. Quay Evans (Mississippi State): Evans, a four-star defensive end, was ranked the No. 3 prospect in the state of Mississippi by 247Sports. He never lived up to expectations at MSU, playing in 15 total games his first two seasons, notching 10 tackles. Evans transferred to West Georgia for the 2014 season, but still managed to get into trouble in his old stomping grounds, most notably in connection to a 2015 shooting in Starkville.
5. Channing Ward (Ole Miss): Ward, the top 2012 recruit in Mississippi, signed with Ole Miss as a five-star defensive end, but never quite lived up to the hype. Playing time for Ward has been steady throughout the season, but as part of a rotation. Ward’s 2015 numbers (33 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks) fit his profile as a bench player on the cusp of starting. He will likely get his fourth start of his senior season in the Sugar Bowl due to injuries and suspensions on the Rebels defensive line.

5 WHO OVERACHIEVED

1. Trae Elston (Ole Miss): Elston, a former three-star recruit, has anchored Ole Miss’ strong secondary from the safety position with 16 passes defended and four interceptions this season. The Associated Press recognized Elston as a second-team All-American this season.
2. Travin Dural (LSU): Dural was only considered a three-star prospect when he signed with the Bayou Bengals. As a sophomore, Dural logged career highs across the board (37 catches, 758 yards, 7 TD). This past season (28 receptions, 533 yards, 3 TD) he was a go-to receiver for LSU QB Brandon Harris – when the Tigers actually passed the ball.
3. Deion Jones (LSU): When Jones signed with LSU, he was considered the No. 37 linebacker of the class of 2012 by 247Sports. This fall, the Butkus Award voters recognized Jones (92 tackles, 4 sacks) as one of the best five linebackers in the country.
4. Michael Scherer (Missouri): Scherer plays in the shadow of the SEC’s leading tackler, Mizzou LB Kentrell Brothers, but the former three-star recruit has grown into a solid contributor of his own with 93 tackles, ranking him No. 10 in the conference this season.
5. Alex McCalister (Florida): McCalister might be considered a one trick pony, but it’s a trick he’s mastered. With seven sacks this season, the former three-star defensive end played an important role on the SEC East champion UF defense.

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.