Manny Diaz on D'Eriq King, return from knee injury

Manny Diaz’s job as the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes is easier when he has the electrifying D’Eriq King at the helm of the offense. As King works back from a devastating knee injury, Diaz joined Big Noon Kickoff to heap praise on the Hurricanes quarterback.

“He’s been phenomenal,” Diaz said, per CFB on Fox on YouTube. “It’s really remarkable to watch him through these first five practices. I mean, you want to talk about picking up right where he left off.

“It didn’t happen by accident. The guy worked as hard as I’ve ever seen anybody work since the day he came out of surgery. He started his PT (physical therapy) right away, he’s done everything they’ve asked and more. These first five days of practice, the way he’s thrown the ball and the way he’s taking off and running, he looks like midseason form from a year ago.”

Diaz’s comments read like sweet music to fans of the Hurricanes. While King made watching Miami appointment television, his injury in the team’s bowl game was the low-point of their season.

A player like King relies on his explosiveness and shiftiness to keep defenders on their toes. Unfortunately, the injury planted seeds of doubt that he would ever be the same quarterback again. Alas, Diaz’s words of encouragement will help Hurricanes fans relax and enjoy King’s return to the field, where his electricity will be on display again in 2021.

The NIL King

While King attempts to return from his injury, it’s obvious that the country’s biggest brands believe he’ll be just fine. Since the new NIL rules went into effect, King has been at the forefront. The Hurricanes quarterback is consistently inking endorsements and promoting companies.

King already has deals in place with companies like College Hunks Hauling Junk and Panini. Earlier this week, he became the first college player to sign a deal with a professional team. King inked a landmark agreement with the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers. 

The Panthers are paying King to help grow their brand, according to the press release.

Miami’s D’Eriq King becomes the country’s first college athlete to sign an NIL agreement with a professional sports team: the Florida Panthers.

King has been busy since July 1 https://t.co/thqw3jFcCO pic.twitter.com/EwGaGDbkUo

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 9, 2021

“As part of the endorsement, King will appear at Panthers games and events and work closely with the Panthers digital and social media teams to produce content to engage fanbases across South Florida,” the release said.

Furthermore, it’s unheard of that a professional hockey team turns to a college football player to boost their reach. As time goes on, it will be interesting to see if other pro sports teams follow their lead.

“Additionally, King will work with the Panthers to develop a merchandise collection, co-branded art and his own exclusive BB&T Center concession menu item, which will be available at all Panthers home games and events for the upcoming season,” the release added.

Diaz believes D’Eriq King’s return will be nothing short of spectacular. If his play on the field rivals his unprecedented NIL agreements, the Hurricanes quarterback will show why he’s one of the best in the nation.

On3’s Sean Labar contributed to this article.

Image courtesy of Mark Brown / Getty Images