Miami Hurricanes quarterback D’Eriq King was part of a list of 11 who were named “Early look at college football’s top returning QBs in 2021.” by 247Sports.Com. King is one of the top six favorites for the 2021 Heisman Trophy. King is able to have a second season of eligibility in 2021 thanks to the NCAA.
All fall sports 2020 athletes were granted an extra season of eligibility. King was at Houston from 2016-19 before redshirting after four games during the 2019 season. The 2021 season will be the sixth for King in college and his second with Miami. King is expected to be ready for the 2021 season after a torn ACL.
King announced his return to Miami for the 2021 season, three days before the Hurricanes lost 37-34 to Oklahoma in the Cheez-it Bowl. King tore his ACL in the first half of the loss to the Cowboys. The Miami Hurricanes team leader is expected to be ready for the season opener against Alabama in September.
Miami and Alabama will play in the season opener in the Chick-fil-A kickoff classic at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta on September 4. If King is ready to play, Miami will have the more experienced QB with Alabama almost definitely starting redshirt freshman Bryce Young. King was profiled by 247 Sports.
"D’ERIQ KING, MIAMI Hurricanes2020 numbers: 211-of-329, 2,686 yards, 23 TDs, 5 INTs; 538 rushing, 4 TDsThe skinny: One of the ACC’s most dynamic weapons at the quarterback spot, King was an immediate shot in the arm for the Hurricanes, a team in dire need of a playmaker under center coming into the 2020 campaign.He announced his return for another season last month prior to exiting a Cheez-It Bowl loss to Oklahoma State with a devastating knee injury. The good news however is that King’s surgery was a success and he expects to be ready for fall camp last this year."
King returning at QB for Miami gives the Hurricanes stability at the position for the first time since the program’s all-time leading passer Brad Kaaya returned for his third season as a starter as a junior in 2016. King is one of three QBs in the ACC named to the list. Sam Howell of UNC and D.J. Uiagalelei of Clemson are also named.
The Miami offense should continue to develop and improve in their second year under King and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. Running back Cam’Ron Harris and wide receiver Mike Harley also will return next season. The continuity Miami will have on offense is critical to their success in 2021.