ESPN names Miami Hurricanes D’Eriq King QB to watch for 2021 NFL Draft
After naming eight quarterbacks to know and where they could be drafted, ESPN named Miami Hurricanes signal-caller D’Eriq King as a player to watch in 2020.
The signing of quarterback D’Eriq King as a transfer from Houston is expected to be the perfect fit for the Miami Hurricanes new offense under offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee in 2020. King brings a dynamic at QB that Miami has never had before. His ability to run and throw is unprecedented in Miami football history.
There are a lot of doubts about King’s ability to play QB in the NFL because he is only 5’11. The success of QBs like Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray should help King if he has a big season for the Miami Hurricanes. King has proven he is an elite QB at the Group of Five level with Houston. Now King gets a chance on a Power Five team.
In six games against Power Five teams, King has completed 54.4 percent of his passes for 972 yards 12 touchdowns, no interceptions and 138.2 passer rating throwing the football. King added 52 carries for 281 yards and six TDs rushing. Entering the 2020 season King has a TD passing and running in 15 straight games.
King will be a significant upgrade for the Miami Hurricanes at QB. The QB play for Miami has been widely inconsistent the last two seasons. King will provide leadership and a dangerous dual-threat QB that opponents have to account for passing and running the football. ESPN analyzed King’s draft outlook.
"Whether Miami’s D’Eriq King is a genuine QB prospect or simply an exceptional athlete who plays QB is still up for debate.He was a superstar at Houston in 2018 — he joined Kyler Murray as the only FBS players that season to have at least 35 passing TDs and 500 rushing yards — before sitting out the bulk of 2019 then transferring to Miami. A big year in the ACC could go a long way toward convincing scouts of his NFL potential."
Miami is scheduled to open the 2020 season against Temple, finishes its non-conference season against Michigan State and will play several tough defenses throughout the season. In Lashlee’s up-tempo, spread offense expect King to put up big numbers in 2020. Shane Buechele had a big 2019 under Lashlee at SMU.
As Texas transfer, Buechele threw for 3,929 yards, 34 TDs and 10 interceptions. King is far superior as a threat to run than Buechele. Buechele finished with 105 rushing yards and two TDs in 2019. Murray and Joe Burrow, the last two top picks in the NFL Draft, have parlayed big seasons to rapidly ascent up the draft board.
Miami QB D'Eriq King has had success against Power 5. dark. Next
King has a chance to do the same in 2020. With Trevor Lawrence likely entering the 2021 NFL Draft the chance of King improving enough to be the first pick in the draft is highly unlikely. King is currently projected as a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. With a big 2020 season, he can move into the first round.