Nigel King Transferring From Terps Program
On a day where the university lost one of their top targets in basketball, Maryland got some more bad news concerning a top target in football as well. Junior wide receiver Nigel King has decided to transfer from the program and was granted his release, a source within the program confirmed. King’s departure from the university comes at a time when Maryland had a definite jam at the wide receiver position. TerrapinTimes.com was the first to report the story.
King, the Raleigh, NC., native (from the same area Terps basketball star Dez Wells hails from), caught 33 passes for 450 yards last season and four touchdowns, but missed time following a meniscus tear in his knee and was not fully recovered until later in the season. King, at 6’3″, caught a total of 42 passes and 575 yards for five touchdowns during his career at Maryland. It is unclear where King has decided to transfer to at the time.
What is clear, however, is that King was probably well aware of the logjam at his position for the foreseeable future. The writing was on the wall for at least one receiver, given that Maryland had a depth chart bursting at the seam with talent. King was replaced by Marcus Leak on the preseason depth chart, too, and was going to be competing with Diggs, Long, Jacobs, and Etta-Tawo for catches this year. Obviously something had to give.
It’s unfortunate to see someone like King have to leave the program, because he really is a talented player, but it makes sense. King can probably thrive at another program rather than wallow away with the Terps. It’s likely a personal decision, and considering the kid has done little wrong during his time at Maryland, the departure isn’t on the most negative note ever.
For Maryland, it means they have a more clear picture of who is going to be catching the majority of balls for their team. Stefon Diggs and Deon Long remain the prominent options, then Leak and Jacobs, and the other Jacobs brother. It’s still a crowded picture, and it’s really no less talented. King was good, but for Maryland it’s surprisingly replaceable. These are good problems to have in Maryland’s deepest aspect of their roster.
Happy trails, Mr. King!
Update: A professional response from King, via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ NK3_/status/ 495328859416707072