Manny Diaz, D'Eriq King discuss King's Run-It-Back movement at Miami

The Miami Hurricanes want to make 2021 a special season for the university. D’Eriq King was among many players who felt like they played below their skill level last season, so the team’s motivation for this season is to run it back. 

“Towards last year, a lot of us could’ve taken our shot at the next level,” said star quarterback D’Eriq King. “We feel like we didn’t get the best out of ourselves and the best out of this team.

“The biggest thing for us is to run it back and do it the right way, try to do everything the right way this year. Run it back ‘21.”

Moreover, King spearheaded the movement that led to many draft eligible players returning to Miami. With a special player like King at the helm, head coach Manny Diaz realizes the Hurricanes have a golden opportunity.

“D’Eriq’s special because of the way he interacts with everybody in our program,” said Diaz. “I can’t remember many players that I’ve been around in my career who find a way to connect with every player on the team. Anything he says, the team takes as gospel. 

“To have that in a quarterback, it transforms your entire program.”

So when King stated that he was returning to Miami, others followed. In a day in age where many players only have their eyes on the NFL, Diaz knows how special that is.

“When D’Eriq started that movement and guys started to say we want to come back, it was huge for our program,” stated Diaz.

“I want to see the University win.”

Moreover, King recognizes that last season was a tumultuous one. While many believed in his talent, going through an offseason shaped by COVID derailed his high hopes for Miami.

In King’s mind, there was unfinished business.

“Me coming back, it was an easy decision,” said King via the team’s website. “Being [the] starting quarterback at the University of Miami is pretty big, right? I love the University of Miami [and] my teammates. 

“Last year, I feel like we had a decent year, a good year, but it wasn’t our standard, right? This year, we all wanted to come back. A lot of us decided to come back and try to reach our standard and try to do everything the right way. 

“Not having an offseason [program] last year, going through the whole COVID season, I want to give my all to the University. I want to see the University win. That’s why I decided to come back.”

The Hurricanes won eight games with King last season. Evidently, that wasn’t nearly good enough for the quarterback.

“Let’s show the world who we really are.”

As a matchup with Alabama looms large, Miami will get a chance to begin their movement with a bang. If they can defeat the Crimson Tide, everyone will be forced to take them serious. 

“They felt something special in last year’s team and they didn’t want to leave it,” said Diaz. “So let’s run this thing back, and let’s really show the world who we are.”

The motivation is through the roof, and they have the talent to match it. If the run it back movement leads to greatness, D’Eriq King will become a legend for the Miami Hurricanes.