The expectations for the Miami football team are high with the addition of quarterback D’Eriq King from Houston via transfer in January. CBS Sports labeled the Hurricanes a “conference title contender” with the addition of King.
The transfer of quarterback D’Eriq King to the Miami football program from Houston in January and the hiring of offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee from SMU is expected to be the tandem needed to transform the Miami offense and bring the Hurricanes into the 21st century. CBS Sports labeled Miami a conference title contender.
The phrase seems to be hyperbole at this point. In an article titled “College football transfer quarterback tiers: From playoff hopefuls to position stabilizers” the addition of D’Eriq King to the Miami football roster was in the section titled conference title contenders. Winning the ACC Coastal in 2020 is a realistic goal.
For Miami to win the ACC in 2020 the strong likelihood would mean an upset over two-time National Champion, four-time college football playoff finalist and five-time college football playoff participant Clemson. No school has been as dominant during the college football playoff era as the Tigers.
Clemson has won the last five ACC Championships in football. Miami earned its only trip to the ACC Championship game in 2017 and lost to Clemson 38-3. This should be a different Miami team but it would take a lot to get past Clemson. CBS Sports believes that the expectations are raised in Miami because of King and Lashlee.
Hey I know but D’Eriq brings an element to the offense that we’ve never seen before at Miami. We’ve had guys who could run but nobody as dynamic as King as a running and passing threat. Because of that I give him 1a and Dorsey 1b.
— Canes Revenge (@Theedy239) April 10, 2020
"Tier 2: Conference Title Contenders D’Eriq King, Miami (FL). After a woeful finish to 2019 for the Hurricanes (the offense in particular) that saw three straight losses to FIU, Duke and Louisiana Tech, fans are going to be quick to jump on whatever optimism is available from Manny Diaz’s offseason changes.A change at offensive coordinator seemed inevitable, and hiring Rhett Lashlee brought some encouragement after his success with Shane Buechele and Sonny Dykes at SMU in 2019. But to land King, arguably one of the top quarterbacks available in the transfer portal, brought a whole new set of expectations for Miami in 2020.Last time King played an entire season, he racked up 50 touchdowns (36 passing, 14 rushing) and was one of just seven quarterbacks — alongside the likes of Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa, Dwayne Haskins and McKenzie Milton — to average more than eight yards per play in total offense on the season.Miami was able to get a few spring practices in before things were shut down, and while those sessions and reps might have been light, the fact that King went through the preparation process to lead the team this spring should give him a head start compared to some of the other quarterbacks on this list when players are allowed to return to campus."
King brings a level of leadership to the Miami football program desperately needed at QB. The level of athleticism King brings at QB is unprecedented in Hurricanes’ history. The 674 yards King ran for at Houston in 2018 would more than double the previous high for a season by a Miami QB and set the program QB career rushing record.
Miami fans should be excited about the possibilities that King provides at QB. He has talent to work with on offense with running back Cam’Ron Harris, wide receivers Mike Harley, Dee Wiggins and Mark Pope and tight ends Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory. The combination of Lashlee and King is significant for Miami.