King: Very Impressed by Diaz’s Miami Offense
SHREVEPORT, LA — The soon-to-be former quarterback of the Houston Cougars stoically watched Miami’s bowl game from the stands. He wasn’t used to watching many football games in person, especially not from the bleachers. The Hurricanes had battled through an indecisive (6-6) season that led them to the unheralded Independence Bowl. D’Eriq King intently watched his potential transfer destination go about their business. His stare frequently fell on their enigmatic head coach, Manny Diaz. How would Diaz perform knowing one of the most sought after quarterbacks to ever hit the transfer portal was in the stands evaluating his team? In a weird twist of irony, King was the scout and Diaz the unproven recruit. Your move, coach.
After four torturous quarters, the final whistle mercifully ended a game that had been nothing short of a kick to the nuts of a proud Miami football program. The Hurricanes were soundly beaten by Louisiana Tech, a team that deserved better after a 9-3 season. The Bulldogs’ defense throttled an anemic Canes’ offense. The 14-0 shutout bitterly concluded a season that began with so much hope after an opening win against the Florida Gators.
King was hunched over his notepad, vigorously scribbling, as the game clock ticked to zero. It was hard to tell if he even knew the game was over. He sat in his seat as the fans shuffled out of the Louisiana stadium. King watched as the Hurricanes trotted off the field to a new off season of uncertainty. The star quarterback would later recount that this was the exact moment he knew he was coming to Miami.
“I just sat there and processed it all. I love their offense. It’s dynamic when it actually works. Coach Diaz sold me on a team that he described as ‘Eh could be good, could be not so good. Hard to say.’ Everything I have seen on the field proved to me how bright a future there is in Miami.”
King discussed the other school he strongly considered and why he ultimately turned them down.
“I could have gone to Oklahoma and won the Heisman, but that would’ve been too easy. I want to face challenges and grow from my experience. I want to struggle to 7-5 season only to get stomped by Clemson in the ACC Championship. I want pundits to argue on national television on whether or not I was a system quarterback at Houston that benefited from a weaker Group of 5 schedule. Stephen A and Max Kellerman will finally agree on something: that D’Eriq King is overrated and incapable of elevating the play of his teammates. My draft stock will plummet from the decision to play in Manny Diaz’s ‘gizmo’ offense. But, it will all be worth it because I will grow from the experience.”
