| April 24, 2005 | « Previous Story | HOME | Next Story » | Posted at 07:09 PM |
Eric KingA starter since the early stages of his freshman year, King is a solid cover cornerback with great catch-up speed, leaping ability and natural hands. He is called by the coaching staff a "take charge" kind of player who makes sure everybody is doing what their supposed to in terms of lifting and running.
King was a multi-sport standout at McDonogh (Woodstock, Md.) High School. He played defensive back for the Eagles, earning first-team all-state, all-metro and all-county honors. He tallied over 1,200 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns and also had five interceptions and 45 tackles as a senior. King was a part of six conference championship teams -- three in football and three in basketball. He also competed in track and was the private school champion in both the 100-meters and long jump. King excelled in the classroom as well, appearing on the Honor Roll.
King started seven games as a redshirt freshman at Wake Forest, recording 55 tackles (46 solos) with six pass deflections and a fumble recovery in 2001. He collected 63 tackles (51 solos) with two fumble recoveries, three interceptions and seven pass breakups in 2002.
King became the school's first defensive back since 1987 to earn first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors as a junior. He registered 59 tackles (49 solos) and led the conference with 18 passes defensed (15 pass breakups, three interceptions) while also recovering three fumbles. He added second-team All-ACC honors as a senior, when he registered 40 tackles (29 solos) with two sacks, six stops for losses and 11 pass deflections in 2004.
For his career, he started 42 of 46 games, recording 217 tackles (175 solos) with two sacks and 11 stops for losses of 47 yards. He returned seven interceptions for 143 yards and deflected 39 passes. He also recovered six fumbles.
ANALYSISPositives: Has a small frame, but shows good muscle definition … Durable athlete who missed only one game during his career due to injuries … Well-respected leader who does the little extras to succeed … Has very good overall speed and foot agility … Has the leaping ability to get to the ball at its highest point and make the interception … Best when playing in zone coverage, as he makes plays in front of him and shows a quick break on the ball … Quick to recognize route progressions and has excellent range.
Negatives: Frame has reached maximum growth potential … Has good field smarts, but just gets by in school … Has marginal man coverage skills (see 2004 Clemson game vs. Airese Currie), as he takes extra steps in transition and is slow to turn and come out of his backpedal … Because of this, receivers can out-run him, negating his foot speed … Not very physical working near the line and will not explode behind his tackles … Lacks desire to support vs. the run … More of a shoestring type of tackler, lacking wrap-up technique.
1998 -- Underwent right shoulder surgery in August.
2004 -- Missed the Miami game with a left hamstring pull.
2005 -- Could not complete the agility tests at the Combines when his left hamstring tightened.
Campus: 4.4 in the 40-yard dash … 300-pound bench press … 440-pound squat … 330-pound hang clean … 4.18 20-yard shuttle … 11.36 60-yard shuttle … 6.92 three-cone drill … 38-inch vertical jump … 10-foot-6 broad jump … Right-handed. Combine: 4.49 in the 40-yard dash … 2.66 20-yard dash … 1.62 10-yard dash … Bench pressed 225 pounds 12 times … 31-inch arm length … 9¼-inch hands.
A multi-sport standout at McDonogh (Woodstock, Md.) High School … Played defensive back for the Eagles, earning first-team all-state, all-metro and all-county honors … Tallied over 1,200 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns … Also had five interceptions and 45 tackles … Was a part of six conference championship teams -- three in football and three in basketball … Also competed in track and field … Was the private school champion in both the 100-meters and long jump … Excelled in the classroom as well, appearing on the Honor Roll.
Majoring in Communications … Son of Eric King, Sr. and Deborah Murray … Father, Eric, played professional basketball in Venezuela … First got into sports by playing soccer … Chose Wake Forest because of its "great education and athletic program -- the best of both worlds." … Born May 10, 1082 in Baltimore, Md. … Resides in Woodstock, Md.
