Miami football praises D’Eriq King’s leadership as he’s named 2020 starter

Miami football surprises no one and names D’Eriq King its 2020 starter.

D’Eriq King will be Miami football’s starting quarterback for the 2020 college football season.

This comes as a shock to absolutely no one. When King sat out the final two-thirds of his senior season with the Houston Cougars, we had a feeling he was looking to graduate, transfer and play for a Power 5 program in needed of a proven starting quarterback. The Miami Hurricanes fit that bill perfectly, as he was named the 2020 starter for the ‘Canes on Monday morning.

“D’Eriq’s hard work both on and off the field has earned him the starting quarterback position,” said Miami head coach Manny Diaz. “His leadership qualities have been evident since he arrived on campus, continuing through mat drills, spring practice, our virtual meetings and summer activities. We’re excited to see him lead this offense and I know his teammates are excited as well.”

“The thing that is the best about D’Eriq King is not that he’s an electric athlete or that he throws the ball better than a lot of people think … he is just a winner and a leader,” said Miami offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee last week on 247Sports’ Social Distance. “Who he is as a leader is going to be more important to us than his ability.”

“Now don’t get me wrong, his playing ability is pretty cool and it makes the play-calling easier and it makes them right a lot more too. Just having a leading presence on the team and the way he works, I think it starts by how he was raised by his late father and his mother. He was raised the right way.”

“He was taught how to work, how to compete, and how to handle failure. I think it just shows who he is. I think the guys around him are influenced by him in a positive way. They are drawn to him. That is because of who he is, but it also helps when you are really good at football.”

The Miami football coaching staff is raving about D’Eriq King’s leadership.

Leadership is something the ‘Canes need on the offensive side of the ball. While they had a strong 2017 campaign under former head coach Mark Richt, the last two years have been offensive struggles for the Miami program, as the team is trying to find its footing under second-year head coach Manny Diaz. Miami is expected to contend for an ACC Coastal championship this season.

The ‘Canes should be stout defensively, as they have two elite pass-rushers on their squad in Gregory Rousseau and graduate transfer Quincy Roche by way of the Temple Owls. Defensively, the ‘Canes have been solid throughout the last four seasons, but it has been perpetual offensive ineptitude that has brought them down of late.

King may be a great dual-threat playmaker, but it’s great to hear his leadership is what’s shining through the most with his coaching staff. Run, pass and lead is the trifecta necessary to help new Miami offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee reinvent himself as a coach. The former Auburn Tigers offensive coordinator has struggled since leaving his mentor Gus Malzahn down on The Plains.

With King at quarterback, Miami has the players needed to win the Coastal and get to Charlotte.

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