Quiet King in charge
While a crowd swarmed around Ed Oliver in the Carl Lewis auditorium at the University of Houston, D’Eriq King walked in without much notice.
The UH quarterback was polite. He shook a few hands and smiled, greeted some of the athletic staff as the football team returned officially for its first meeting of the year.
King doesn’t grab the attention the way Oliver or some of his other teammates do.
At 5-11, he’s athletic but doesn’t command the room.
He’s quiet, reserved, attentive. And he has been that way since his days at Manvel High School.
He might not steal the show when he walks into a room.
But he is capable of doing so on a football field.
King isn’t the first name that comes up in conversations about the UH football team.
There’s Oliver, who is easily one of the best players in the country. The chatter about him won’t — and shouldn’t — stop any time soon.
Reminds some of Ward
There’s coach Major Applewhite who is still out to prove he is the right man for the job in his second season in charge of the Cougars.
There’s new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, who comes in with some controversy and a high-powered offense.
While King is drawing comparisons to former UH phenom Greg Ward, he isn’t the most talked about part of the Cougars heading into the 2018 season.
That’s part of the beauty of the junior. Even as a star player in high school in the area, King was always reserved. Talk about him always stayed about what was happening on the field.
“I haven’t changed much,” King said. “I have always been the type to listen and observe.”
He likes to study the game, learn the playbook and then get out on the field and perform.
His leadership style is by example.
“I am not a screamer,” King said. “I will show you how to do it and will try to get my guys going.
“I’ve never been a big talker — just like to do it.”
That has worked out well for King. His willingness to learn, to pay attention, to adapt has helped him move up the ranks and earn the starting spot this year.
Initially, his time on the UH football team was spent as a return man and receiver.
He was happy to put in the time.
“I learned a lot playing at receiver,” King said. “I think that was good for me.”
Last season as sophomore, he started the final four games at quarterback.
And one thing that stood out each time he took the field was his undeniable competitiveness.
No matter how quiet or businesslike King is off the field, his competitive side comes out between the lines.
“He can’t hide that,” Briles said. “I’m most excited about his eagerness. There’s a lot we can do with him.”
King spent a lot of time this summer learning the Cougars’ new offense and feels like his strengths will play well with it.
“(Briles) is very aggressive,” King said. “He likes taking shots down field, and I feel like I play that way. I am always trying to score and I am pretty mobile, so that’s good.”
Briles wouldn’t give many details about how King fits in to the offense, but he did seem thrilled about how it was working. “I can’t wait,” Briles said. It’s no surprise that King has emerged as one of the top offensive players at UH. He boasts speed and athleticism. He has always displayed the ability to adapt quickly and think on his feet.
That’s why he had a number of offers — including from Power 5 programs like Cal, Clemson and Baylor — coming out of high school.
Being able to play in his hometown meant something huge to him, though.
“I think Houston is the greatest city in the world,” King said. “It means a lot to me to play for UH. I love playing here.” It shows. King’s attitude, his work ethic and his patience as he has changed positions, waited for his turn at quarterback and thrived in every spot he was put in is what got him to where he is now.
He’s the undisputed starter for the Cougars as they start the year with high expectations.
And he has the confidence of everyone around him.
“Looking at QBs in general, they have to be tough and great leaders and you have to be competitive,” Applewhite said. “People will get behind you if you are all of those things.
“This team knows he’s a competitor and a leader. They know he’s ready.”