D’Eriq King chose Houston because he would have a chance to be the Cougars’ quarterback. Now, the Cougars are 7-1 and King has emerged as a Heisman Trophy candidate
by Dick Weiss
UCF has solidified itself as a top-10 team in the top 25 with a resume that includes 20 consecutive victories. But Houston’s electrifying junior quarterback D’Eriq King could have the Knights watching their backs as this American Athletic Conference season heats up.
King put on a dazzling show for ABC television cameras, piling up 556 yards of total offense and accounting for seven touchdowns the 7-1 Cougars, whose only loss has been to Texas Tech, outscored previously unbeaten and No. 21-ranked USF, 57-36, at TDECU Stadium to take a two-game lead in The American’s West Division.
The Cougars have moved into the national rankings themselves this week, checking in at No. 17 in the Associated Press and coaches’ polls.
King completed 28 of 41 passes for 419 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 137 yards and a pair of long touchdown runs in just 11 carries against the Bulls (7-1).
King, who led the Cougars on eight touchdown drives of 74 yards or longer, deserves strong consideration for the American Offensive Player of the Year if he stays on this roll. He has passed for 28 touchdowns and rushed for 10 TDs for a dangerous team that is averaging 49.6 points (best in the nation) and 571.3 yards of total offense.
King’s friend and teammate, two-time All America defensive tackle Ed Oliver, takes it one step farther.
“He’d be my choice to win the Heisman Trophy,” said Oliver, who himself is the subject of a creative Heisman campaign. “Offensive players attract more attention, anyway.”
All eyes should have been on Olive, who is arguably the best player in college football, in this game, but he sat out with a bruised right knee. He is day to day for this week’s game against SMU.
King, a local product from Manvel High School, a perennial Texas state power just down the road off 288, is another Houston-area player who made good in Major Applewhite’s program, which is filled with stars from the talent rich area.
“We ‘re just a bunch of kids from the city who work their tails off,” said Applewhite
There is enough talent in metro-Houston to win a national championship and ever since Oliver and King signed with the Cougars in 2016, the growing school has become a viable option for four- and five-star recruits.
The top teams in The American as a whole have become more attractive to blue-chip recruits because of the way that this offensive minded conference showcases its skill position players.
Quarterbacks like Quinton Flowers of USF, Greg Ward Jr. of Houston, Keenan Reynolds of Navy and McKenzie Milton of UCF built a legacy of playing their best in high scoring nationally televised games.
King falls into that same category in his first full season as a starter. He is a dual threat who is flourishing in a new look, up tempo, vertical offense designed by Applewhite and creative offensive coordinator Kendal Briles.
King was always destined to be a star. He was selected to the greater All-Houston area team as a senior after throwing for 2,898 yards and 43 touchdowns while rushing for 640 yards and eight TDs. He received more than his share of scholarship offers from Baylor, Clemson, Michigan State, TCU and UCLA among others, but most wanted him as a wide receiver or a defensive back. He eventually signing with Houston because he wanted to play quarterback for his hometown university.
”I grew up watching Greg Ward play,” he admitted.
“We gave him an opportunity,” said Applewhite. “I remember watching him as a freshman for the first time when I was a coordinator for Tom Herman (now the head coach at Texas). I was standing behind the huddle and I’m going, ‘Oh my gosh. This guy is doing all the things we saw on film.’
“It’s a fun thing to watch - seeing him develop after 25 uninterrupted practices in the spring. He missed a few chapters in his first two years when he played a lot of wide receiver, missed a few more with injury.”
King’s physical capabilities are all there for the nation to see. He has found himself on more than one top-five list for Heisman Trophy consideration. But King’s success has been more a function of his work ethic, which complements his feel for the game.
“You better have a tough quarterback or you’re going to struggle,” said Applewhite. “D’Eriq is one of the best competitors I’ve ever been around, if not the best. He plays his butt off, jumping over people, running through people. When you see a quarterback do that, it makes easier for other guys to buy in.”
King just had to wait his turn. He finally got his wish last October in a game against then-undefeated USF in Tampa. King went in on the third series after Houston opened the game with two three-and-outs. He provided the fuel for a fourth-quarter quarterback comeback, hooking up with wide receiver Courtney Lark for a 30-yard gain and scoring a pair of touchdowns, including the 20-yard gamewinner with 11 seconds left during a 28-24 win against the Bulls.
King has grown into the position and plays with the same competitive juices as Ward, his predecessor.
“Every time I into a game, I have a chip on my shoulder,” King said. “That’s how I want my team to play. I want to prove everybody wrong who said I couldn’t do it.”