The December 29 Cheez-It Bowl against No. 21 Oklahoma State will not, in fact, be the last time Miami’s quarterback D’Eriq King has applied for No. 18 Hurricanes. The talented and quick interlocutor announced on his Twitter account that he will return for another season in 2021, giving Miami and its fan base the best news of the holiday season.
A veteran redshirt, King would normally be out after a year. However, as the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility for fall sports athletes due to the impact of COVID-19, King also had the option of returning for another season. In the video below, King made a dramatic announcement promising to return to the USA.
The impact of King’s return cannot be overstated. He helped the Miami attack move from one of the worst of ACC in 2019 to one that averaged 34 points per game last season. King’s individual efforts are also notable, as he finished third in the conference, behind Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell with 309 yards in total attack per game.
King’s athletic ability and arm strength make him an intriguing professional contender, even if he isn’t the ideal size for 5 feet-11 and about 200 pounds. Smaller defenders like Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson showed how the position evolved into the NFL. But the 2021 quarterback draft class will be loaded. Lawrence, Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Mac Jones and Kyle Trask can all go in the first round.
Upon returning in 2021, King should start the season on the list of the best defenders in college football. He will be a Heisman candidate in the preseason and, depending on how he plays, he may be one of the best defenders available for the 2022 draft. Those aspirations are far away, however. For now, the return of one of college football’s most exciting players is something to be celebrated by Miami and fans around the world.