The Rundown Take
D'Eriq King Locked In: Devin Pencils In Miami's Entire 2020 Offensive Starting Lineup
First week of spring practice, a fresh transfer to process, and a brand-new 2021 commitment — U Talk Live 22 gave Devin plenty to work with as he built Miami's offense out position by position. The headline call: D'Eriq King is QB1, no contest, with N'Kosi Perry sliding to backup. A regular caller weighed in, and Devin closed out counting down to the April 11th spring game.
Key Takeaways
- Backup tight end Michael Irvin Jr. is transferring out of the program — Devin calls him the room's best all-around blocker and pass-catcher and wishes him well.
- 2021 offensive line commit Michael McLaren (6-7, 255, Marjory Stoneman Douglas) signs, with athletes Janzen Jourdain and Keshawn Brown flagged as likely next signees.
- Devin's full predicted offensive starters: D'Eriq King at QB, Cam'Ron Harris at RB, Dee Wiggins and Keyshawn Smith outside at receiver with Mike Harley in the slot, Brevin Jordan at tight end, and an offensive line of Zion Nelson, Navaughn Donaldson, Corey Gaynor, a redshirt guard and DJ Scaife.
- Devin says D'Eriq King is simply the better quarterback for this spread scheme, though he still expects N'Kosi Perry to compete for the job in 2021 if King moves on.
- Shoutout to Sebring High's Blue Streaks and Rickards for deep playoff runs — Devin's cousin is Rickards' principal.
Building the Offense From Scratch
Position by position, Devin walked the room through his projected two-deep: Cam'Ron Harris as the starting back with Don Chaney and Jalen Knight pushing once healthy, Dee Wiggins and a fast-rising Keyshawn Smith on the outside at receiver, and Mike Harley holding the slot job over five-star sophomore Mark Pope. He flagged Jeremiah Payton as his breakout pick at receiver for a second straight week, and Brevin Jordan as a lock at tight end after visibly improving as a blocker since arriving on campus.
The Irvin Exit and a Tight End Room in Flux
Michael Irvin Jr.'s decision to transfer for his final season hit Devin harder than the box score would suggest — he framed Irvin as the most complete tight end in the room precisely because he blocked and still made plays when targeted. With Irvin gone, Devin's projecting Larry Hodges up to the No. 2 job behind Brevin Jordan, with Will Mallory (his words: "we need to see more") still unproven and an incoming freshman tight end added for depth. A caller phoned in agreeing that Irvin's exit stings but liked what he's seeing from the guys competing on the practice field so far.
King Over Perry, No Debate
Devin didn't hedge on the quarterback question: D'Eriq King's arm and mobility make him the better fit for Rhett Lashlee's up-tempo spread than N'Kosi Perry, even acknowledging he's long been a Perry fan. He credited Perry for never getting a fair, consistent coaching staff behind him, but said the numbers and the eye test both favor King running this specific offense in 2020 — with Perry a real threat to compete again the following year.