The return of quarterback D’Eriq King was critical for success for the Miami Hurricanes in 2021. King was named the third-best returning QB in college football by Pro Football Focus on Saturday. King leads a Hurricanes team with 19 returning starters including 10 on offense. King is the best dual-threat QB in college football.
King’s numbers during the 2021 season have been well documented. Adept both passing and running, King was also exceptional at taking care of the ball. King led Miami with 130 rushing attempts. Over 75 percent of the Miami offense in 2020 is attributable to King. King was an electric player for Miami last season.
The only QBs ahead of King are Spencer Rattler of Oklahoma and Sam Howell of ACC Coastal Division rival North Carolina. In the second year with Rhett Lashlee as the Miami offensive coordinator, the Hurricanes are expected to be more explosive. The addition of Oklahoma transfer Charleston Rambo at wide receiver will help.
Miami was inconsistent in the deep passing game in 2020. With leading receiver Mike Harley deciding to return after D’Eriq King announced he was coming back and Rambo added to the Hurricanes roster, Miami should have more consistent play from their WRs in 2021. PFF profiled King’s 2020 season.
Highest-graded QBs in the 2022 NFL Draft Class
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 3, 2021
1. Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma - 92.5
2. Grayson McCall, Coastal - 92.4
3. Sam Howell, UNC - 92.3
4. D'Eriq King, Miami - 90.6
5. Matt Corral, Ole Miss - 90.5 pic.twitter.com/2ur33lQEt4
"3. D’ERIQ KING, MIAMI (FL.)The U was hoping for an elite dual-threat quarterback in 2020 — and, boy, did King deliver. He made tons of plays both through the air and on the ground in his first season with the Hurricanes, resulting in a 90.6 PFF grade for the season that ranked 10th in the FBS. And now they get him for another year.On 111 runs — 85 designed and 26 scrambles — King totaled 26 rushes of 10 or more yards. He produced more than 10 yards after contact on 13 of those rushes, the most at the position. The 5-foot-11, 202-pound quarterback also rarely put the ball in harm’s way.He consistently made the right decision and came in at No. 3 in the FBS in turnover-worthy play rate (1.7%). Miami will be a dangerous team in 2021, assuming King fully recovers from the torn ACL he suffered in the Cheez-It Bowl and is ready to rock Week 1."
The Miami offense finished third in the ACC in 2020 with only 11 turnovers. If the Hurricanes can continue to avoid turnovers in 2021, Miami can continue to develop on offense. Miami has a chance to be very explosive on offense in 2021. How well King is recovered from the torn ACL is critical.
King was the most explosive running QB in college football in 2020. Over half of the 538 rushing yards King produced came on designed runs. With the field likely to be opened up more with the addition of Rambo, expect Lashlee to have more designed runs for King in 2021. The ability for King to take care of the ball is vital.