King to use redshirt season, promises to return in 2020
HOUSTON — Amid its rebuilding project, the University of Houston football program is casting an eye toward next season.
In a surprising move, D’Eriq King, one of the nation’s top quarterbacks, and wide receiver Keith Corbin announced Monday they won’t play the remainder of the season, instead opting to use redshirt years and return in 2020.
King, mentioned as a Heisman Trophy candidate a year ago, becomes arguably the highest-profile quarterback who did not lose his job to take advantage of a new NCAA rule, instituted last season, that allows a player to participate in up to four games without using a year of eligibility.
With King and Corbin playing in the first four games, the deadline was this week as the Cougars prepare for their final nonconference game Saturday at North Texas.
In a statement, King said he will use the rest of the season to develop as a quarterback and earn his degree. He does not plan to enter the transfer portal or explore options to transfer to another school.
“I came here to play football for the University of Houston, and that is not changing,” King said. “After carefully thinking through the process with my family and coach (Dana) Holgorsen, I have decided the opportunity to redshirt this season gives me the best chance to develop as a player, earn my degree and set me up for the best success in the future. I’m looking forward to being part of the success of this program going forward.”
A source said King and his family discussed the idea of using the redshirt season over the weekend. On Monday afternoon, King met with Holgorsen to inform him of his desire to return in 2020, when many of the Cougars’ skill players will be back.
In addition to returning players, the Cougars will add several transfers who are sitting out this season: linebacker Eyabi Anoma (Alabama), wide receiver Bryson Jackson (TCU), safety Hasaan Hypolite (Colorado), cornerback Kelvin Clemmons (Minnesota), cornerback/kick returner Marcus Jones (Troy) and safety Thabo Mwaniki (Oklahoma State).
Holgorsen was unavailable for comment Monday.
Corbin, the Cougars’ second-leading receiver, echoed King’s reason for sitting the remainder of the season. Both players were part of UH’s heralded 2016 recruiting class that also included All-America defensive tackle Ed Oliver.
“Having the opportunity to take time and focus on the completion of my degree, plus having the chance to develop as a student-athlete is why I have decided to redshirt for the remainder of the 2019 season,” Corbin said in a statement. “Coach Holgorsen, myself and my family both took time to make this decision. Being a Cougar has been one of the best decisions I have made, and I’m ready to take this time to help our program develop for the future.”
King’s decision has nothing to do with the knee injury he suffered last November, ending a breakout season that produced 50 total touchdowns, an American Athletic Conference single-season record, and garnered mention of him as a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate. He returned healthy this season, although the offense has struggled to evolve in Holgorsen’s Air Raid system. At 1-3, the Cougars are off to their worst start since 2012. The schedule has been challenging with Top 25 teams Oklahoma and Washington State.
In four games this season, King has thrown for 663 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for a team-high 312 yards and six TDs. He set an FBS record with his 15th consecutive game with at least one passing and rushing touchdown in last week’s 38-31 loss to Tulane.
Sophomore Clayton Tune, who was forced to burn his redshirt when he replaced the injured King in 2018, is expected to start at quarterback for the remainder of the season.
Since his arrival, Holgorsen has been critical of how the previous coaching staff managed the roster, which features players who could have benefited from a redshirt season earlier in their careers. At the start of preseason camp, Holgorsen addressed the topic of redshirts with the team, saying players — even seniors with a year of eligibility left — could be candidates to redshirt as UH seeks to develop and build roster depth.
“Everybody that has a redshirt, that’s on the table,” Holgorsen said at the time. “D’Eriq is probably not redshirting …”
Almost six weeks later, circumstances have changed.
And now the Cougars appear willing to sacrifice this season for an all-in approach in Holgorsen’s second season.