2. QB D’Eriq King, Miami
This might seem like a bit of a call considering how miserable the Miami offense was throughout last season – closing out with a shutout loss to Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl – and that’s where Rhett Lashlee comes in.
The former SMU offensive coordinator is in charge of ramping up the Hurricane passing attack and making the O as a whole more explosive, and he’s got the triggerman to do it.
D’Eriq King was special for Houston in 2018.
The do-it-all talent was electric in the open field – running for 674 yards and 14 touchdowns – and he hit 64% of his passes for close to 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns with just six picks.
Yessir! @DeriqKing_ with the DOT🎯 pic.twitter.com/KZAfiYI4ap
— Select Qb Athletics (@SelectQb) March 29, 2020
The Cougar offense didn’t work all that well to start last season and the passing game didn’t get going, but King threw for six scores and ran for six more in the first four games before taking the regular season off to preserve a year of eligibliity.
If all goes according to plan, King will be King and the stats will be there. It’ll help that the schedule isn’t all that hard – Miami should put up a much stronger season – and eight of the top ten receivers of last year are expected to be back.
Alternative: Another big-time transfer who’ll put up massive numbers
QB KJ Costello, Mississippi State
This is strictly a shot-for-the-stars statistical projection. Mississippi State isn’t going to win the SEC West, but the Mike Leach offense will wing the ball all around the yard, Costello has the NFL tools and talent to rise up and be special – if he can stay healthy – and the chances will be there to bomb away again several fantastic teams.