QB D’Eriq King, Miami
HEIGHT: 5-11
WEIGHT: 195
HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL): Manvel, TX (Manvel)
247 RATING: .8810
STARS: 3
YEAR: Senior
POSITION RANK: 8
CAREER
Passing: 4,925 YARDS (61.8%), 50 touchdowns, 10 interceptions
Rushing: 1,421 yards (5.6 ypc), 28 touchdowns
2019
Passing: 663 yards (52.7%), 6 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
Rushing: 312 yards (5.7 ypc), 6 touchdowns
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D’Eriq King Breakdown
| STRENGTHS – Natural Instincts – Elusive – Game Breaker – Poise – Running CONCERNS – Deep passes – Using hips on throws – New offense – Mechanics |
D’Eriq King’s 2019 season was the definition of a roller coaster. Coming off of a season in which he accounted for 50 touchdowns, the Houston Cougars started the year 1-3. King sat down with head coach Dana Holgorsen and the two decided he would sit out to preserve his redshirt. After plenty of speculation about his future, King came out and announced he would transfer to Miami. The Canes get an electric quarterback who’s still developing as a passer, but he can change games.
One of the biggest concerns for the Hurricanes last year was pressure on the quarterback. King gives them a solution to that problem. He’s essentially a running back when he takes off, and tackling him seems easy. But his agility put a number of defenders on a highlight reel, and also during clutch situations. Whether he needed to throw or run, the spotlight never got too big for King, and that will help as he takes on a new challenge of playing in the ACC.
How King learns the new playbook will be an aspect to watch. His new offensive coordinator, Rhett Lashlee, took SMU’s offense to new heights last year, and that should help King as a passer. Currently, deep passes are his biggest struggle. It almost looks like he’s guessing any time he’s unleashing a deep ball, and he tends to overestimate his receiver’s speed. Miami’s going to need a reliable deep passing game to relieve pressure, and King’s focus on his mechanics will be essential.
Manny Diaz needed a change, and he went out to bring in quality talent like King. His new quarterback’s proven that he can make an impact on any game, and a good year for King and the Canes could put him in the Heisman conversation. The Canes offense needed a lift, and they got one. If one player can increase excitement surrounding the Canes program, it’s D’Eriq King. Buckle up Canes fans. This should be fun.
