This article was originally published with Dawgs247 on August 24, 2015 and can be found here.

Three years ago he was Georgia’s star recruit. Today he stands in the shadow of a preseason Heisman Trophy favorite. Keith Marshall doesn’t seem concerned about this change in perception.

Once a five-star prospect from Millbrook High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, Marshall showed signs of delivering on the recruiting hype. He served as the second part of a one-two punch with fellow freshman Todd Gurley in 2012. However, he’s had his last two seasons derailed by injuries.

The first step of making 2015 memorable is overcoming last year’s knee injury. The situation was an odd one in 2014 with fans patiently waiting for his return week after week. Eventually, it became clear that Marshall wouldn’t suit up again that season. Despite the unfavorable situation, his issues weren’t enough to affect his drive.

“It’s different with most guys,” Marshall said. “I don’t feel like I was struggling mentally. I felt like my body wasn’t quite ready.”

Healing from the injury that sidelined him after Georgia’s win over Troy on Sept. 20 was a slow process. Now that he’s done with rehab, Marshall points towards a particular moment when he moved past the setback. It wasn’t hitting the practice field for the first time that let him know he was ready; it was ditching the knee brace during fall camp.

Now that the recovery is behind him, Marshall is ready to put in the work.

He has a tough task ahead of him, as the Bulldogs’ backfield is crowded with highly-touted players. Between Chubb, sophomore Sony Michel, junior Brendan Douglas and sophomore A.J. Turman, finding carries for all these players is easier said than done. A player truly has to show out among these backs in order to gain playing time this season.

It’s a challenge Marshall understands and accepts.

“My mindset is focused on being as healthy as possible, going out there every day at practice and competing,” Marshall said. “You know you have to bring it every day. You got to work your tail off.”

He figures to be one of the main pieces of the Bulldogs backfield. With his experience and ability, Marshall may again be part of a dynamic team of tailbacks for UGA. It’s a matter of how the rest of the fall camp goes and, quite frankly, how his health holds up in the coming weeks.

Marshall didn’t sell Georgia’s running back committee short when the topic of expectations came up. A former Gatorade Player of the Year in The Tarheel State, he recognizes the talent in himself and his teammates. The challenge doesn’t seem to be about outfoxing opposing defenses, but for the running backs to keep up the pace week after week.

“I think we can be as good as we want to be,” Marshall said. “We’re going to try to be the best in the country. I think we have the pieces in place to do that; we just have to keep getting better every week.”