A recurring series where we will profile every player on Maryland's roster, counting down to kick-off against William & Mary on September 1. Thanks to OBNUG for the idea.
Today we profile a receiver who missed all of last season due to NCAA eligibility issues.
Nigel King, Freshman (RS), Wide Receiver, #3
via grfx.cstv.com
Stats:
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 210
Major: Broadcast journalism
Twitter: @NK3_
Collegiate Stats: N/A
High School Stats (Senior Year): 38 catches for 732 yards and eight touchdowns
Recruiting Ratings: Three stars by Rivals (#12 in Nc., #46 WR), Scout (#99 WR), 24/7, ESPN (#49 WR)
High School: Oak Ridge Military Academy
Hometown: Raleigh, Nc.
High School Highlights:
None that we could find.
How'd He Get to College Park?
Nigel King began his high school career at Wakefield High, transferring to Oak Ridge before his senior season. During his junior year at Wakefield, he posted the impressive numbers of 900 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns…despite missing six games due to a hip injury. King was also offered by LSU, UNC, South Carolina and West Virginia, while he received interest from Auburn, Florida, and Oregon. Make no mistake about it – he’s a top talent.
Wide receivers coach Lee Hull added to his recent recruiting haul by landing King, one of the bigger gets in the 2011 class. King stayed strong with his commitment through the coaching turmoil, graduating early from high school and enrolling at Maryland last semester, participating in the Terps’ spring practice. However, due to NCAA Clearinghouse issues, he was unable to participate in a large portion of activities and was ruled ineligible for the season.
King almost ended up at LSU – after taking an official visit to Baton Rouge and receiving a scholarship offer, he was ready to commit to the school. However, wide receivers coach D.J. McCarthy resigned, and King changed his mind.
Nickname:
Nigel "D" King. The king stay the king.
Career Highlight:
In 2010 on his birthday, he had 232 yards with two touchdowns and an interceptions.
Career Lowlight:
Missing last season.
Dream Season:
King wins the starting job, earning all-conference freshman honors.
Nightmare Season:
King finishes third in the battle and does not see much playing.
2012 Prospectus:
Nigel King is in a three-way battle at WR-Z, with Marcus Leak and Tyrek Cheeseboro. Leak is the most experienced of three, Cheeseboro is the fastest, but King may very well be the best. We talked two days ago about how they all bring something different to the table, and for King it's a rare combination of strength and speed that translates to raw power out of the receiver position.
We're 99% sure he's redshirt freshman (UMTerps has him as such, and last year when the NCAA made their ruling Randy Edsall said King would just redshirt), but for what it's worth his official school profile says he has three years of eligibility. So that's something to keep an eye on.
We've said it before and we'll say it again, but while there will likely only be one starter at this position (and that's not a given), all three players will get their shot at playing time. It will likely be situational, and our guess is Leak as the possession guy, Cheeseboro when they need a deep threat, and King just about the rest of time.
Up Next:
Our next player's father played football at a college who successfully appealed to the NCAA to prevent their mascot name being cited as hostile.
curterp gets his second.
Standings:
Terpsonfire -10
Maryland1206 - 9
kbuts151 - 6
Dirty_Terps - 5
bubbasparks - 4
ClickClack62 - 3
Terpsfinish - 2
curterp - 2
T Free - 1
Mdak06 - 1
clevesanterp - 1
CSB Jack - 1
fballplyr92 - 1
Everybody else - 0