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Covering the SEC, ACC, Sun Belt, CUSA, and other Southern Schools since 2007
Covering the SEC, ACC, Sun Belt, CUSA, and other Southern Schools since 2007
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SEC's Biggest RB Busts
Kregg Lumpkin didn't live up to his status coming out of HS, but he was good enough to not be on this list
10 Biggest SEC Running Back Busts Since 2000
With the news that Michael Dyer has once again been asked to leave his second school since January, I decided to take a look back at the biggest SEC Busts since 2000 at the RB position. As you can see, there are some big names on this list. Some made impacts for a short time. Dyer actually had a more productive career than the other 9 with two 1,000 yard seasons and a National Championship.
10. Michael Dyer- A 5 star RB in HS, Dyer originally appeared as if he was going to be an Arkansas Razorback, but after visiting Auburn he committed to the Tigers. As a freshman Dyer ran for 1,093 yards, breaking Bo Jackson's freshman rushing record at Auburn. He also would be named Offensive MVP for Auburn in their BCS Championship win over Oregon after he ran for 143 yards on 22 carries. Dyer had a fantastic sophomore season with 1,242 yards and scored 10 TDs. After being suspended for the Chick Fil A Bowl, Dyer was eventually released from Auburn and transferred to Arkansas State, where it has been announced he is no longer a member of the Red Wolves team as of yesterday.
9. Terry Grant- Before Ingram and Richardson there was Terry Grant running for Alabama. In 2007(Saban's first year), Grant led the Crimson Tide in rushing with 891 yards as a redshirt freshman. Unfortunately, the rest of his career was filled with injuries. Grant ended up having two surgeries for a sports hernia and would only rush for 201 yards the next 2 seasons for Alabama. In 2010, after already graduating, Grant decided not to comeback and play for his 5th season at Alabama.
8. Jasper Sanks- If another Walker was ever going to play at Georgia, it was going to be Jasper Sanks. Like Crowell, Sanks came from Columbus, GA's Carver High. Sanks was going to be the man to help Jim Donnan get the Dogs past Florida and Tennessee. Sanks' career wasn't awful as he did rush for 1,651 yards, but it wasn't what it could have been. Sanks' career was filled with issues that included not being eligible for his freshman year, got arrested(even though charges were droped, struggled with ball security, and at times would show up overweight.
7. Demetrius Summers- Coming out of Lexington High School Summers was considered by most as one of the top 2 RBs in high school along with Reggie Bush. Summers set the South Carolina High School record for career rushing yards with 9,076 and TDs with 127. Summers' freshman year had its up and downs, but he did rush for 638 yards and had a 158 yard performance against Tennessee in an overtime loss. Summers sophomore year wasn't as productive as he ended the year with only 487 yards, but was slowed by injuries(missed two games in 2004). Summers was dismissed by new coach Steve Spurrier in March of 2005 for "rules violations". Summers spent most of his pro career with the Calgary Stampeders, but was on the Dallas Cowboys roster in 2006.
6. LaMarcus Coker- Coker came to Tennessee as the #2 All-Purpose back in the country according to Rivals. Coker's career showed plenty of promise early on, he even scored on his first college reception. The Vols started Coker as a freshman at RB, but was also a playmaker for Tennessee in the return game. Coker was named to the Sporting News' All SEC Team and was a first team Freshman All American. Coker was kicked off the team in 2007 for violating the Vols drug policy. His college career ended at Hampton University and eventually he landed in the CFL.
5. Alley Broussard- Coming out of high school in 2003, Broussard was rated as the #4 RB in the nation coming out of Lafayette, LA. His freshman year was a great one as he ran for 867 yards on only 142 carries and scored 10 TDs. Unfortunately, Broussard did not play his sophomore year due to a knee injury and only rushed for 281 yards in 2006. Broussard left the team in 2007 stating that his heart was no longer in it and he wanted to concentrate on getting his degree.
4. Isaiah Crowell- When previous starter Washaun Ealey transferred to Jacksonville State in the Spring of 2011, it opened the door for Crowell to start at RB for the Bulldogs. Crowell put together an impressive freshman year rushing for 850 yards, despite being slowed by an ankle injury against Kentucky late in the season . Crowell would be kicked off the UGA team follwing three weapon charges, two of them felonies on June 29. He has since transferred to Alabama State.
3. David Oku- Oku was one of Lane Kiffin's prized recruits from his only Tennessee recruiting class. Rivals named Oku the #1 all-purpose back in 2009. During his freshman year Oku set school records with 863 kickoff return yards and he posted 100 yard rushing games against Ole Miss and Memphis. Oku never played as a sophomore for Tennessee as he left the team. Oku was also charged with domestic assault charges after his girlfriend told Knoxville Police that he pushed her to the ground. He's now hoping for a second chance with Gus Malzahn and Arkansas State.
2. Derek Watson- Watson was the first big recruit of the Lou Holtz era at South Carolina. Watson ran for over 1,000 yards as a sophomore, was a playmaker in the return game, and even lined up at WR in 5 receiver sets for Skip Holtz' offense. Watson broke several team rules at South Carolina that included assault & batter, driving under suspicion, and marijuana possession(this ended his career). Watson spent his senior season at South Carolina State, but only rushed for 296 yards for the MEAC school. He had brief stints in the NFL with Tampa Bay and New England, but in 2007 he was charged with burglary and grand larceny ending his NFL career. On October 16, 2010 police found Watson in possession of cocaine.
1. Bryce Brown- Brown's college career started with controversy before he even signed a LOI. His "handler" Brian Butler sold updates of Brown's recruitment on the web for $9.99 a month. Brown nearly entered the Canadian Football League before enrolling in college. Brown originally committed to Miami and held his official commitment date well past signing day on March 16. Brown's status to play for the Vols was under question, but a few days prior to the season he was cleared to play. Brown only played one season for Tennesee, rushing for 460 yards. Brown would transfer to Kansas State in 2010, but did very little to help Snyder's KSU teams. He was the 229th pick in the 7th round by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012.
Matt Barber
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