During an appearance on the Joe Rose Show on WQAM Friday morning, D’Eriq King said he is ready to prove for the Miami Hurricanes that he can play quarterback in the NFL.
NFL scouts have labeled Miami Hurricanes quarterback D’Eriq King as an elite athlete. While that can often be taken as a slight at QB, King told the Joe Rose Show on WQAM Friday morning that he takes that as a positive. King is the prototype dual-threat QB in a spread offense but his sub 5’9 stature will make it difficult in the NFL.
Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy stated last month that many scouts view the best position for King in the NFL as a slot wide receiver. The potential for King at the Senior Bowl in 2021 if he participates is that could be worked out at both positions. King is listed at 5’11 on the Miami Hurricanes roster.
Nagy stated in a tweet about what position King could work out at during Senior Bowl week he is more likely under 5’9. The production King showed during his last full season in 2018 is as good as anyone in college football. In 11 games during the 2018 season, King accounted for 50 touchdowns, 36 passing and 14 rushing.
King told Rose and co-host Zach Krantz that he chose the Miami Hurricanes because of the history in their football program and the hiring of former SMU offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee in the same position at Miami. King and Lashlee were familiar with each other as opponents in the American Athletic Conference.
"“I don’t take that as a negative when guys say, ‘Oh, he’s an elite athlete. He might have to play receiver in the pros.’ I’m a quarterback. I want to play quarterback at the next level if it allows me to. I think everybody has something to prove and I definitely think I have something to prove, too.’“I wouldn’t say I was surprised’ (about being named the starting QB) I’ve been working my butt off since spring and all offseason. I’m just grateful for the opportunity. I didn’t know when they were going to do it — during camp, after camp, before camp. I’m just grateful and ready for what’s coming.’’"
Discussing smaller quarterbacks in the NFL
"“[Seattle Seahawks’] Russell Wilson, [Cleveland Browns’] Baker Mayfield, [Arizona Cardinals’] Kyler Murray — all those guys are smaller quarterbacks, and I think that’s opening a lot of people’s eyes that you don’t have to be the 6-4, 220, 225-pound guy to play the position anymore.You just have to be really good with the ball, accurate and make good decisions. That’s what I pride myself on.”"
.@CanesFootball QB D’Eriq King is one of the most dynamic players in college football but at under 5’9” some scouts think his best pro position will be slot WR. If he comes to @seniorbowl we’ll play him wherever the NFL wants to see him—maybe both spots. #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE pic.twitter.com/YFktYxkRhy
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) July 30, 2020
Discussing the spread, up-tempo offense led by Lashlee
"“Is really, really simple…take a lot of shots…running the ball downhill at people…playing fast and free. (Miami wide receivers are running )really good routes.’ I feel like this team has a lot of talent. Maybe in recent years it hasn’t been an offense to showcase a lot of people’s abilities. I’m excited to get the ball in their hands.’“I’ll definitely take advantage of it if the defense gives me that…I’m not afraid to run the ball. I’m pretty good at it.’’"
King has 1,421 rushing yards and 28 rushing TDs while averaging 5.6 yards per carry in his collegiate career. The ability and dimension that King has to run the football is unprecedented at Miami. Miami has never had a dual-threat QB that can put pressure on a defense as King can. The Lashlee offense will utilize King’s skills.
The up-tempo pace that Miami will use on offense coupled with the pressure King puts on an opposing defense should help the Hurricanes offense improve in 2020. If King lives up to expectations he can make a run to be the first Heisman Trophy finalist Miami has had since Ken Dorsey and Willis McGahee in 2002.