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It took most of us by surprise when Nigel King announced he would forgo his senior year at Kansas to test his draft stock, but given the flashes of ability he showed last year, it's certainly not impossible that his dream will come true. At the beginning of the season, King's nickname around these parts was "The Kid Who Transferred From Maryland." But as the year went on, Nigel King made sure every Kansas fan knew his name.
2014 Stats
30 receptions
537 yards, 1 TD
Had a 3 game stretch in November in which he amassed 14 catches, 297 yards and a TD
Pro Day/Combine Results
Height/Weight: 6'3", 210 lbs
40-yard dash: 4.54 seconds
225 lb bench press: 15 reps
Vertical jump: 39.5 inches
Broad jump: 10'8"
20-yard shuttle: 4.36 seconds
Strengths (per NFL.com)
Good size on the outside. Hands are adequate. Catches the ball away from his body and demonstrates good concentration in traffic. Has enough strength to win battles for the ball in traffic. Offers a presentable target for quarterback. Makes proper hot adjustments against blitz. Position blocker in run game, taking proper angles to help leverage running back's outside track. Gets into safe spots within zone and readies himself.
Weaknesses (per NFL.com)
Can get caught up hand fighting against press corners off the release. Below-average athlete for the position. One-speed receiver who is unable to explode out of breaks to create instant throwing window for quarterback. Can't be relied upon to get separation over the top on verticals. Prolonged gear down into break, allowing cornerbacks to squeeze short routes. Must improve arm extension on high-point attempts rather than letting ball get into his body.
Prediction
Nigel King is very unlikely to get his name called this weekend, but has a solid shot at ending in up a camp this summer. NFL.com gives him a 4.9, in the range defined as "should be in an NFL camp." Not what most guys are going for when they leave college early, but given that King had finished his degree, he may have felt like now was the time to put his name in, rather than risk a catastrophic injury. His size gives him some appeal as a next level receiver, but the lack of speed will probably prevent him from becoming a starting quality WR in the League.