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College football rankings: Sam Howell, Spencer Rattler and the top 20 quarterbacks of 2021

By Cody Williams

Dec 27, 2019; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) runs during the fourth quarter against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2019; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) runs during the fourth quarter against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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D’Eriq King, Miami Hurricanes. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
D’Eriq King, Miami Hurricanes. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports /

13. D’Eriq King, Miami (FL)

The Miami Hurricanes had been searching for a legitimate answer at quarterback for several years and D’Eriq King arrived as a transfer from Houston and immediately provided it. Pairing with the genius of offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, King made the jump to the ACC and looked like one of the best quarterbacks in the country.

King burned ACC defenses throughout the year with both his arm and legs. He totaled 2,686 yards through the air with 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions in the passing game and also rushed for 538 yards and four touchdowns — all in only 11 games. The Hurricanes signal-caller consistently gashed defenses with his legs, breaking off big gains with relative ease.

So why do I have a quarterback with that kind of production and talent outside the top 10? Well, King suffered a torn ACL in the Cheez-It Bowl to end his season and that injury has followed him leading up to the season. While he seems possibly on track to play in Week 1, the fact that his health is in question does give me some pause about his overall upside in the 2021 season.

Having King at No. 13 is more of a caution play if we’re ranking quarterbacks for the 2021 campaign than it is a full indication of how good he is when healthy and at his best. And if he comes back from the injury quickly and looks as he did last year, this ranking is going to look a bit silly but that’s a risk I’m willing to take.