D’Eriq King’s greatest Miami performance earns him regal distinction

D’Eriq King is in rarified air after his majestic moment for Miami football.

Miami football needed a king-sized performance out of D’Eriq King on Friday night, and they got it.

It was looking like the North Carolina State Wolfpack were going to pull off the home upset of the No. 11 Miami Hurricanes on Friday evening. However, a late touchdown and an interception quickly tipped the scales in the Hurricanes’ favor in the final minutes to hold off a feisty Wolfpack team, 44-41 in primetime. We were blown away by King’s best performance in Miami uniform.

D’Eriq King just did something that has not happened in a quarter of a century

King completed 31-of-41 passes for 430 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. He also had 15 carries for 106 yards on the ground. With 536 combined yards, King became the first player in the last 25 years to throw for five touchdowns and no interceptions for two different teams. He pulled it off vs. the Texas Tech Red Raiders when he was with the Houston Cougars back in 2018.

Though it may not have been the performance capable of seriously getting King back into the Heisman Trophy race, it will turn the heads of some teams who might consider drafting the quarterback next spring. King’s dual-threat play-making abilities and his proficiency in the passing game may have him emerge as a day-two pick if the right general manager takes a liking to him.

This time last year, we were wondering why King punted on playing the last two-thirds of the 2019 season for Dana Holgorsen at Houston. Now, we fully understand. He is thriving in Rhett Lashlee‘s Miami offense. Lashlee may become a college head coach sooner rather than later. King just delivered his greatest performance in his lone season with Miami football. It was an epic one.

Miami may not be anything more than the third-best team in the ACC this year. However, we have reason to believe the ‘Canes are on their way back to being “The U” once again under second-year head coach Manny Diaz. A lot of it may have to do with how long he keeps Lashlee in Coral Gables because he is a defensive-minded coach and all. But tonight, we crown the King ceremoniously.

King had his rightful Miami coronation on Friday night in a regal jubilee vs. North Carolina State.

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