Miami Hurricanes 2020 Player Profile: QB D’Eriq King

Although D’Eriq King stands in at a reported 5’11”, there is no bigger potential impact player for the Miami Hurricanes in 2020 than King. This former Houston Cougar signal caller made waves when he decided to transfer to the University of Miami.

King was initially listed as an athlete when he played for the Cougars and amassed 58 catches, 492 yards and three receiving touchdowns as a pass catcher. Also showing flashes as a kick returner, there is no doubt that King is an athlete at the quarterback position. One in which the Hurricanes have never had before. Ever.

During his sophomore campaign, after being thrust into the quarterback position due to injury, King compiled 1260 yards passing and seven passing touchdowns. That year King was also third on the team in receptions with 29.

King’s junior year while at Houston was special. He set the American Conference’s record with 50 total touchdowns. Equally more impressive is the fact that King’s performance was one of only three in FBS history to have amassed more than 35 passing touchdowns and 13 rushing touchdowns. He accomplished this feat while missing the first 2.5 games his junior campaign.

When King threw for 419 yards and rushed for 132 yards vs. USF that year, that was only the 13th time in FBS history that a quarterback threw for over 400 and ran for over 100. King has a captivating capability that could pay dividends for the Hurricanes and the odds makers have taken notice.

So what can we expect from King? He is a Ferrari with feet. He is the Miami monarch. He is quarterback one. In a Rhett Lashlee system that is predicated on pace and space, King is a natural fit and a mismatch nightmare for any opposing defense.

Defensive coordinators who favor man coverage will have to think twice because when the secondary’s backs are turned, King can escape the pocket and monopolize rush yards with the hybrid force of a cheetah magician.

If you want to go ahead and respect his running ability, you run the risk of leaving things open on the back end and that’s when King can be surgical on deep balls. King is the quintessential keep honest quarterback. Defensive coordinators must be honest, they ultimately don’t have a choice.

I see some aspects of his game on intermediate balls in which we can improve. I would also like to see some more throw open prowess but truth be told, King has proven not to be reckless with his ball security. For a career King has thrown 50 touchdowns vs. only ten interceptions.

King has been extensively covered for the State of The U faithful in our customized Student of the Game video format. Watch the introduction of D’Eriq King and metamorphosis of me pronouncing his name (my bad) with the premier video “Miami Monarch.”

In “Lincoln Said it” watch King put on a show vs. an eventual playoff team in the Oklahoma Sooners. Lincoln Riley has a penchant and aptitude for quarterbacks and he has many superlatives to say about King.

Although the Houston Cougars lost the contest, the Miami faithful can obviously see the potential of their new quarterback and that’s a win in my book.