D'Eriq King: Manny Diaz says Miami quarterback shines in scrimmage before Alabama

D’Eriq King continues to shine throughout Miami Hurricanes’ fall camp. On Friday, the team held its final mock scrimmage, meant to replicate the highly-anticipated matchup vs. Alabama looming next Saturday.

According to Canes’ head coach Manny Diaz, King dominated yet again.

The senior signal caller, who transferred from Houston ahead of the 2020 season, went 20-of-26 for 317 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.

“Yeah, I mean offensively, D’Eriq has gotten sharper and sharper every week,” Miami head coach Manny Diaz said after the scrimmage. “

According to Diaz, King was nearly unstoppable against the formidable Hurricanes’ defense, who replicated a game plan similar to what Alabama is expected to bring next Saturday, when the two top-ranked programs face off.

Miami will face Alabama at 3:30 PM ET just one week from tomorrow.

King has shined when the lights are the brightest

Diaz has raved about King leading the Miami offense throughout fall camp, but just 11 days ago, the Hurricanes’ head coach acknowledged King as the biggest story after the team’s first scrimmage.

After just nine practices, coming off a torn ACL and brutal rehab regiment, Diaz went out of his way to single out King after Miami’s first live-action test.

“Guys played hard, but the story is it’s great to see D’Eriq King,” Miami head coach Manny Diaz said in a post-scrimmage press conference posted to YouTube. “I thought he was phenomenal running the offense. 12-for-16, 124 [yards], two touchdowns, extended plays with his legs. Guy’s a tough guy to defend.”

This will be King’s sixth year taking collegiate snaps. After four years at Houston, the now 24-year-old transferred to Miami where he completed 211 passes for 2,686 yards and 23 touchdowns plus 538 yards and four scores on the ground last season. King threw just five interceptions.

Can D’Eriq King help Miami pull off the upset?

Diaz talked about the upcoming challenge against the Crimson Tide earlier in fall camp, but feels like his team, led by King, is up for the challenge.

“There’s evidence on both sides of the ball that this could be an outstanding football team, but there’s also evidence on both sides of the ball that we’re not quite there yet,” Diaz said. “I think that’s what this next week is going to be about. Let’s take that next step and not be satisfied with being good. We think greatness is available.”

Miami faces the Crimson Tide on Sept. 4 in Atlanta. Alabama lost quarterback Mac Jones, running back Najee Harris and Heisman winner DeVonta Smith to the NFL, and Bryce Young and John Metchie III will look to step in in their places. Per usual, Nick Saban’s team does not lack talent, but if there is a time to catch Alabama off-guard, this Week 1 opener is it. The current spread is Alabama -18.5.