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Each year, there are a few players that just don’t pan out. For some reason, there may be hype swirling around a guy that has proven talent, but ends up as a bust.
Let’s take a look at the biggest busts in the SEC from this season:
1. Auburn QB Jeremy Johnson: After Nick Marshall, all indication was that Johnson would be the next great quarterback at Auburn. He entered the year atop the Heisman conversation, but his path turned out to be much different. Johnson lost the starting job early, and while he finished the season as the starter, there is no guarantee he will be back in 2016. Auburn has a commitment from three-star dual QB John Franklin III from East Mississippi Community College and return Sean White and redshirt freshman Tyler Queen.
2. Auburn WR Duke Williams: What happened to Williams? This was a guy with 730 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 2014. But then reports surfaced that he punched a teammate and was frequently involved in confrontations, so Auburn released him from the team in October. His absence may have played a big role in Auburn’s mediocre season.
3. Missouri QB Maty Mauk: Though not a star, Mauk threw for 2,648 yards, 25 TDs and 13 interceptions as the Tigers won the SEC East in 2014. Suspended for undisclosed reasons after a shaky start this season, his future at Mizzou hasn’t been revealed.
4. Ole Miss TE Evan Engram: Due for a breakout season after showing flashes of stardom during his freshman year, Engram didn’t have a big sophomore season. Instead, his reception stats declined with just 368 yards and two TDs. He had 662 yards and two TDs as a freshman.
5. Florida WR Demarcus Robinson: Still productive with 505 yards and two TDs this season, Robinson was hurt by the loss of Will Grier at midseason. Robinson finished last year with 810 yards and seven TDs.
Sean Labar is an SEC football contributor for Saturday Down South.
