In an interview on the Joe Rose Show on WQAM Wednesday morning Miami offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee revealed the decision for current Hurricanes quarterback D’Eriq King to redshirt was from the Houston coaching staff.
In a surprising declaration during an appearance on the Joe Rose Show on WQAM Monday morning, Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee revealed the decision for quarterback D’Eriq King to redshirt in 2019 came from the coaching staff at Houston. King transferred from Houston to Miami in January.
The process of King sitting out the 2019 season after playing in the first four games for Houston was one of a multitude of topics that Lashlee discussed with Rose and co-host Zach Krantz on Wednesday morning. Among the other topics was the talent Miami has on offense and the timeline of King’s transfer.
King announced his decision to enter the transfer portal during the National Championship Game between Clemson and LSU on January 13. King quickly visited Miami three days later and shortly thereafter announced his decision to move on to Coral Gables. Lashlee mentions the experience King brings to Miami.
Miami has shuffled QBs for the past two seasons. Rising redshirt junior N’Kosi Perry shared time with then redshirt senior Malik Rosier in 2018 and redshirt freshman Jarren Williams in 2019. King brings experience and will elevate the play Miami has received at QB in recent seasons. The U could be QB U again in 2020.
"“I was watching the national championship game back in Dallas with my family and it was in the middle of the (game) when he put it on Twitter. I think before the game was over and it was scrolling on the bottom of the screen that he was going to go ahead and transfer.There had been a lot of rumors that he might transfer, he might not. It wasn’t really his decision to stop playing at Houston. It was something the coaching staff wanted him to do four games in. I know it was hard on him to not finish with his guys, but he’s a respectful kid. He’s going to do what the coaches ask.I think they had hoped they could get him for another year. As time went on he decided he wanted to look around. I think seeing that game [and star quarterback transfer Joe Burrow]” inspired him and “let him know, ‘Man…You know, he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the country over the last couple years statistically.It gave him kind of that fire that ‘I want to give it a shot on this kind of stage.’ I think he knew that there were some schools out there that gave him that opportunity. When we knew he was available. I had been fortunate that he played against him at SMU. He had seen us.We were fortunate to win so we played well offensively in those games. But man, he’s electric. We were just fortunate to get him here. That was on a Monday night. He was able to visit as soon as that Thursday night.We were able to get him here on campus at Miami and I think he saw that the University of Miami with the tradition we have here, the style of offense we’re going to be playing, fit him.And I think the best thing is he was able to see some of the players that were going to be around him and know that, ‘If I come in, I can be the missing piece that helps these guys and gets Miami back to that stage and gets me on that stage.’’"
D’Eriq King has already made a big impact on his teammates. King has been impressive throwing the football and as a team leader during the four practices, Miami was able to have during the first week of March. King projects to be the ideal QB to run the uptempo, spread offense Miami is installing under Lashlee.
"“So far, D’Eriq has been everything we thought he would be…He’s just a great person. He’s a leader. His teammates love him. He comes out and he just works hard. He has a passion for winning for his teammates and for wanting to be as good as he can be.One of the things that he gives us is he gives us great experience and so that can only help him when he’s out there competing for the job.”"
King’s teammates praised him during the one week they were able to have of spring practice. The cancelation of the spring game cost Miami football fans and the media a chance to see what King can do in the Lashlee offense. The ceiling for the Hurricanes offense in 2020 is the highest it has been in many years.
Getting the athletic King to run offense was a gift for Miami. His decision to transfer led to Miami losing primary 2019 starting QB Jarren Williams. That is a chance the Hurricanes had to take. N’Kosi Perry and Tate Martell remain in Coral Gables as the primary backup. It should be an exhilarating season watching King play QB.