2015 RB Signee Sihiem King

[Rhavicc]

I know there are some here who have a knock on this kid, saying he's too small to compete in the SEC. Well, I decided to look some things up on the kid, and I found out that he was actually selected to the 2nd team All-USA (By USA Today).
So, who are the RB's in his company in the first team and second team you're wondering?

1st team: Damien Harris
1st team: Soso Jamabo
2nd team: Jacques Patrick
2nd team: Ke'Shawn Vaughn
2nd team: Sihiem King

Those are the 5 running backs selected to All-USA teams (there is only the first team and the second team). The rankings of the players?

Damien Harris: #1 RB (5 star)
Soso Jamabo: #2 RB (5 star)
Jacques Patrick: #3 RB (5 star)
Ke'Shawn Vaughn: #30 RB (4 star)
Sihiem King: Unrated by Rivals/#79 RB per 247sports Composite (3 star)

For the naysayers, you don't get put in the company of the top 3 running backs in the country if you're not a capable RB. You don't receive the Georgia offensive player of the year unless you're a capable RB, and to beat it all, in the highest division of Georgia football.
The kid is in excellent company, and we got a steal in every sense of the word. Be happy, this kid will be sharing the backfield with Boom Williams.
Oh yeah, and at one point earlier this season, he was in contention for Gatorade National Football Player of the Year, so yeah, the kid can play football pretty well.

This post was edited on 2/9 11:20 AM by Rhavicc

 

[Sawnee Cat]

I think he will be the best player we sign in this class on the offensive side of the football. He will be a star barring injury.

 

[greginky1957]

I hope that he makes everyone forget about that other running back whose name I refuse to mention.

 

[JHB4UK]

I think he will be a fantastic player for us even if it isnt most of the time at running back. I see him doing a lot of kick returns & slot receiver play, get the ball on jet sweeps & reverses.

 

[Rhavicc]

Originally posted by JHB4UK:
I think he will be a fantastic player for us even if it isnt most of the time at running back. I see him doing a lot of kick returns & slot receiver play, get the ball on jet sweeps & reverses.

I see him being a scat back in a RB trio of Boom Williams, Mikel Horton, and Sihiem King. Kemp may need to make a move to the defensive side of the ball, or to a WR spot.
Some people don't realize that Boom is much more of a balanced back than a scat back as he was mostly perceived to be. He has out-of-this-world speed and change of direction, but he's really strong too (I believe his bench press in high school was 340, and his squat was ~500). King gives us an extra scat back to work with.
You don't just take a All-American RB, and move him to WR, does more harm than good.

 

[Comebakatz3]

How did he do as a receiving back in high school? Did he show an ability to catch the ball? I am not condoning moving him to wide receiver, we don't have the depth to move him, but I would think that it would be good to get him the ball in open space and for him to be a very capable safety valve is he is able to catch the ball efficiently.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Originally posted by Rhavicc:
I know there are some here who have a knock on this kid, saying he's too small to compete in the SEC. Well, I decided to look some things up on the kid, and I found out that he was actually selected to the 2nd team All-USA (By USA Today).
So, who are the RB's in his company in the first team and second team you're wondering?

1st team: Damien Harris
1st team: Soso Jamabo
2nd team: Jacques Patrick
2nd team: Ke'Shawn Vaughn
2nd team: Sihiem King

Those are the 5 running backs selected to All-USA teams (there is only the first team and the second team). The rankings of the players?

Damien Harris: #1 RB (5 star)
Soso Jamabo: #2 RB (5 star)
Jacques Patrick: #3 RB (5 star)
Ke'Shawn Vaughn: #30 RB (4 star)
Sihiem King: Unrated by Rivals/#79 RB per 247sports Composite (3 star)

For the naysayers, you don't get put in the company of the top 3 running backs in the country if you're not a capable RB. You don't receive the Georgia offensive player of the year unless you're a capable RB, and to beat it all, in the highest division of Georgia football.
The kid is in excellent company, and we got a steal in every sense of the word. Be happy, this kid will be sharing the backfield with Boom Williams.
Oh yeah, and at one point earlier this season, he was in contention for Gatorade National Football Player of the Year, so yeah, the kid can play football pretty well.


This post was edited on 2/9 11:20 AM by Rhavicc

My advice because I was skeptical at first...Go bring up the 6A Georgia state championship game...

 

[WildCard]

For all the hand wringing about losing Harris, there are plenty of talented and productive RBs in college football that were not 5* prospects. If I were a college coach and the Football Fairy granted me one 5* prospect per year RB would be pretty far down on my list.

Peace

 

[sluggercatfan]

Originally posted by Rhavicc:

Originally posted by JHB4UK:
I think he will be a fantastic player for us even if it isnt most of the time at running back. I see him doing a lot of kick returns & slot receiver play, get the ball on jet sweeps & reverses.

I see him being a scat back in a RB trio of Boom Williams, Mikel Horton, and Sihiem King. Kemp may need to make a move to the defensive side of the ball, or to a WR spot.
Some people don't realize that Boom is much more of a balanced back than a scat back as he was mostly perceived to be. He has out-of-this-world speed and change of direction, but he's really strong too (I believe his bench press in high school was 340, and his squat was ~500). King gives us an extra scat back to work with.
You don't just take a All-American RB, and move him to WR, does more harm than good.

ALL these guys are PLAYMAKERS ...It is the coaches RESPONSIBILITY to get these guys on the field and FEED THE BALL TO THEM

 

[DACats86]

(1) Watch the offense he played in at Colquitt County - exactly the same that WVU runs
(2) Look at the size/speed of RBs that have excelled at WVU
(3) Remember who UK's (new) OC is...
(4) IMO, Boom and King will flourish in the WVU system - more getting them the ball in space

 

[Deeeefense]

I'm pretty sure he got a very late offer from Florida and maybe Auburn but they aren't included on his profile page becasue they were very late.

Also I have always been a fan of the shorter running backs like Emit Smith, Barry Sanders, Mark Higgs etc. The physics of the shorter backs favor them in my opinion for a few reason, they have a lower center of gravity which allows them to shift directions quicker, and provides for better balance - the stocky ones are among the hardest to tackle for this reason. Secondly they have an advantage in getting their pads down low, and third they are hard for defenders to see right after the ball is snapped. The Robinson kid for Mississippi State just tore up or defense this year. He's the same height 5'9", thicker than King but King has a few years to catch up with him. Put another 20 pounds of good weight mostly lower body on this kid and he could be a terror IMO.








This post was edited on 2/9 12:37 PM by Deeeefense

 

[Rhavicc]

Originally posted by DACats86:
(1) Watch the offense he played in at Colquitt County - exactly the same that WVU runs
(2) Look at the size/speed of RBs that have excelled at WVU
(3) Remember who UK's (new) OC is...
(4) IMO, Boom and King will flourish in the WVU system - more getting them the ball in space

(5) Dawson is the lead recruiter for Sihiem King at Kentucky, as was he at WVU. Dawson really wanted this kid, and Dawson got him.

 

[Smashcat]

IMO, Boom and King will flourish in the WVU system - more getting them the ball in space

I certainly hope at the end of the season we can agree that Dawson was the perfect hire.

 

[Rhavicc]

I believe Dawson will be a good fit for UK, and I think Dawson will definitely agree that UK is a good fit for him by season's end.
He'll love having a RB like Boom, and having a stud like King coming in. He has two very good QB's (One of the best QB situations in the SEC), plus Towles' fundamentals will certainly improve under a very good QB coach like Dawson. Dawson also has a ton of big, physical, fast, athletic receivers, and a line with size and a year of experience under their belt. I think he'll be satisfied with the tools he has to use.

 

[jauk11]

Originally posted by Comebakatz3:
How did he do as a receiving back in high school? Did he show an ability to catch the ball? I am not condoning moving him to wide receiver, we don't have the depth to move him, but I would think that it would be good to get him the ball in open space and for him to be a very capable safety valve is he is able to catch the ball efficiently.

I forgot the number but he had a huge number of receptions for a RB, a big weapon at that position, I think it might have been something like 90 plus for his career. He looked very good at catching passes in his highlight film, watch it, definitely a weapon there that should fit in our offense very well.

And I never saw him drop a pass in his highlight film, LOL.

 

[How Blue Can You Get?]

Op, I agree that he was a good pickup and think he has a chance t be really good player for us, but I dont think its crazy tor fans to be skeptical. Let me play devils advocate for a moment. If he is good enough to be in the co of three other backs why wasnt he offered by similar schools, and why was his rating so much lower? Is it simply his size? I know it is a different position, but I remember people giving similar arguments about demarco robinson, and while demarco was much improved by his final year, his size def set him back during his career here. Again, I do have a real good feeling about the kid, and size wont hold him back if he's good enough, but taking a smallish rb/receiver can be a gamble, especially in the sec...but if anybody knows how to use him, its Dawson

This post was edited on 2/9 1:10 PM by How Blue Can You Get?

 

[jauk11]

If he turns out to be nearly as good as Robinson was here then a great find. AND he is CONSIDERABLY bigger.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Originally posted by How Blue Can You Get?:
Op, I agree that he was a good pickup and think he has a chance t be really good player for us, but I dont think its crazy tor fans to be skeptical. Let me play devils advocate for a moment. If he is good enough to be in the co of three other backs why wasnt he offered by similar schools, and why was his rating so much lower? Is it simply his size? I know it is a different position, but I remember people giving similar arguments about demarco robinson, and while demarco was much improved by his final year, his size def set him back during his career here. Again, I do have a real good feeling about the kid, and size wont hold him back if he's good enough, but taking a smallish rb/receiver can be a gamble, especially in the sec...but if anybody knows how to use him, its Dawson

This post was edited on 2/9 1:10 PM by How Blue Can You Get?

Just to compound on this a bit... there are several running backs of similar size to King in the top 100 running backs. Jordan Stevenson is 5'9" and 188 pounds. He is going to Wisconsin but also had offers from Alabama, Ohio State, and Texas (among others). He is actually the 27th best overall back. Devonte Williams is 5'9 171 and is going to Indiana, and is the 62nd ranked running back. Most of the running backs in the top 75 are at least 2 inches taller, but that isn't that big of a difference. I don't really understand why King is not even ranked in the top players in Georgia. Were he 5 foot 5 I might understand it more, but it is not like he is all that much smaller than what people typically look for in a running back. So, is his size really what is holding his ranking back? I would think that even with his size he would be at least one of Georgia's top 75 players, but he isn't listed as such. Why is that?

 

[Comebakatz3]

Excuse me... I was actually just looking at running back rankings. I didn't even look at all purpose backs, which is what King is. Looking at those it is even less clear that his size is holding him back. Taj Griffin is the #1 APB in the country, and 8th best prospect in Georgia. He is 5'9" and 172 pounds. What puts him so far above King? There are 20 APBs ranked by Rivals and of those 20 at least 7 are right around 5'8-5'9 and less than 185 pounds. King isn't one of the top 20, and in fact isn't even in the top 75 players in GA, despite having amazing numbers in that state and being considered for Gatorade Player of the Year, and being a high school all american by USA Today. So, what held back his rankings?

 

[Hacksaw Cat]

I love these quotes from him after the UK offer. We got us a playa!!

http://usatodayhss.com/2015/all-purpose-back-sihiem-king-of-colquitt-county-ga-commits-to-kentucky

Getting a UK offer "was like shocking, and I lit up like a light bulb," he said. "I was pumped. That's a big step for me. I know I have to man up because I'm playing against the best competition in the country in the SEC. I just have to get my mind right and do what I do best."

"To be honest with you, I love my size," he said. "I've been small all my life, and if I wasn't my size, I couldn't do the things I can do - the cutbacks, quickness. Any running back can break tackles."

 

[mrschwump]

Backs of this size can be effective but they have a very narrow margin of error. He's not going to get 20 touches a game, runs, pass receptions or ST but he can be used selectively to help his team. Other than UK looks like his best offers were Ga Tech and WV. Cincy and Wash St also supposedly offered. Other offers were mostly mid-major types. No other SEC team offered, that's a worry.

 

[UKwannabe]

Originally posted by mrschwump:

Backs of this size can be effective but they have a very narrow margin of error. He's not going to get 20 touches a game, runs, pass receptions or ST but he can be used selectively to help his team. Other than UK looks like his best offers were Ga Tech and WV. Cincy and Wash St also supposedly offered. Other offers were mostly mid-major types. No other SEC team offered, that's a worry.

King said himself that Florida and Auburn offered after he committed to Kentucky.

 

[TNTUK]

^He was also 6A player of the year in GA.

 

[mrschwump]

Originally posted by UKwannabe:

Originally posted by mrschwump:

Backs of this size can be effective but they have a very narrow margin of error. He's not going to get 20 touches a game, runs, pass receptions or ST but he can be used selectively to help his team. Other than UK looks like his best offers were Ga Tech and WV. Cincy and Wash St also supposedly offered. Other offers were mostly mid-major types. No other SEC team offered, that's a worry.

King said himself that Florida and Auburn offered after he committed to Kentucky.

Just going by his Rivals page and yes, I know it's not always kept up to date.

 

[Rhavicc]

Originally posted by How Blue Can You Get?:
Op, I agree that he was a good pickup and think he has a chance t be really good player for us, but I dont think its crazy tor fans to be skeptical. Let me play devils advocate for a moment. If he is good enough to be in the co of three other backs why wasnt he offered by similar schools, and why was his rating so much lower? Is it simply his size? I know it is a different position, but I remember people giving similar arguments about demarco robinson, and while demarco was much improved by his final year, his size def set him back during his career here. Again, I do have a real good feeling about the kid, and size wont hold him back if he's good enough, but taking a smallish rb/receiver can be a gamble, especially in the sec...but if anybody knows how to use him, its Dawson

This post was edited on 2/9 1:10 PM by How Blue Can You Get?

There really is no comparison that can be made for a WR and a RB. 5'8 size can hurt a wide receiver significantly more than it can hurt a RB in most styles.
I can't place why his ranking is what it is. Maybe it will change, maybe it won't, but it's not like his star rating will change how well he plays football. It isn't some sort of black magic, it's a bunch of talking heads collaborating and saying "mehhh, we'll give this kid this many stars, let's move on to player #1,148".
So I'm not going to start hand-wringing over it, because we all seen what the kid can do. If Rivals, 247, ESPN, and Scout update the rankings on him, terrific, if not though, it is what it is, we have enough evidence to show that he plays with the best of them.

 

[CatDaddy4daWin]

yup Jrow confirmed that Florida and Auburn both offered...so there's your SEC offers. Think he is perfect for our offense. Some other pro styles like OSU or Bama probably not so much.

 

[sluggercatfan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGcVPm9Z7vI...

Sit back and enjoy...this is our man

 

[Deeeefense]

Originally posted by Hacksaw Cat:
I love these quotes from him after the UK offer. We got us a playa!!


"To be honest with you, I love my size," he said. "I've been small all my life, and if I wasn't my size, I couldn't do the things I can do - the cutbacks, quickness. Any running back can break tackles."

Well there's at least one other person that agrees with me.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Kid is a good player who should do well in a spread offense, but that isn't the offense he played in in HS. He played for one of the top coaches in the state, Provst or something like that. He got there from Hoover Alabama and I don't know anything about him other than what I read. The coach supposely has some of the same issues Petrino, so he is a slime ball, but one heck of a coach.

 

[Rhavicc]

Player that quick and elusive with the kind of field vision he has shown does well in the spread way more often than not. Dawson really recruited the kid hard at both UK, and WVU, so that's definitely good enough for me. Also, considering another spread offense in the SEC (Auburn) offered him, ya have to feel like he has plenty to offer for our offense. We have a very solid backfield, and should have a very solid offense overall.

 

[DaBossIsBack]

Originally posted by Grumpyolddawg:
Kid is a good player who should do well in a spread offense, but that isn't the offense he played in in HS. He played for one of the top coaches in the state, Provst or something like that. He got there from Hoover Alabama and I don't know anything about him other than what I read. The coach supposely has some of the same issues Petrino, so he is a slime ball, but one heck of a coach.

Uhh Propst runs the spread. He is notorious for it. In fact, he studied some under Mumme and Leach.

 

[ARC Dog]

Lol Grumpy you've never seen Colquitt play I suppose.

 

[C1180]

Originally posted by DaBossIsBack:

Originally posted by Grumpyolddawg:
Kid is a good player who should do well in a spread offense, but that isn't the offense he played in in HS. He played for one of the top coaches in the state, Provst or something like that. He got there from Hoover Alabama and I don't know anything about him other than what I read. The coach supposely has some of the same issues Petrino, so he is a slime ball, but one heck of a coach.

Uhh Propst runs the spread. He is notorious for it. In fact, he studied some under Mumme and Leach.

I just watched the entire Archer- Colquitt County championship game. Colquitt County runs a HUNH offense similar to the one ran by UK.

King is short but he is not small the kid is very muscular. I love the kids effort. He took some big shots by a decent Archer defense and just kept getting up and playing the next play. He was a marked man and still had over 100 yards rushing and several nice gains off passes.

Archer had a great player named Singletary I believe that went both ways. They said he had been offered by UK. I didn't catch if it was for 15 or 16.

 

[seccats04]

If Georgia Tech offered him, then I'm sold. They know a thing or two about RB's and they won 10 or 11 games this year and didn't sign a single 4 star in their whole class, so they know how to evaluate talent.

 

[SaguaroCat]

We already have Boom and Horton and Kemp.

King Doesn't have to be a star. He just needs to be a good back on the scout team. And take two or three carries in the third quarter. And block or run down field on special teams.

Anything else is gravy.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Originally posted by C1180:

Originally posted by DaBossIsBack:

Originally posted by Grumpyolddawg:
Kid is a good player who should do well in a spread offense, but that isn't the offense he played in in HS. He played for one of the top coaches in the state, Provst or something like that. He got there from Hoover Alabama and I don't know anything about him other than what I read. The coach supposely has some of the same issues Petrino, so he is a slime ball, but one heck of a coach.

Uhh Propst runs the spread. He is notorious for it. In fact, he studied some under Mumme and Leach.

I just watched the entire Archer- Colquitt County championship game. Colquitt County runs a HUNH offense similar to the one ran by UK.

King is short but he is not small the kid is very muscular. I love the kids effort. He took some big shots by a decent Archer defense and just kept getting up and playing the next play. He was a marked man and still had over 100 yards rushing and several nice gains off passes.

Archer had a great player named Singletary I believe that went both ways. They said he had been offered by UK. I didn't catch if it was for 15 or 16.

King had 129 yds on 32 carries and 2 tds...Dylan Singleton is for 2016

...Watched the game myself and came away smiling...

 

[jauk11]

Originally posted by Grumpyolddawg:
Kid is a good player who should do well in a spread offense, but that isn't the offense he played in in HS. He played for one of the top coaches in the state, Provst or something like that. He got there from Hoover Alabama and I don't know anything about him other than what I read. The coach supposely has some of the same issues Petrino, so he is a slime ball, but one heck of a coach.

Not good at remembering names but I am pretty sure this is the same coach that ESPN has had his story on one of their 30 for 30 or similar programs several times, I have seen it and parts of it at least three times, it will probably be on again. Pretty unbelievable story really, he lived a double life at Hoover splitting his time with his wife and pretty much grown kids and his girl friend until she got pregnant and had their child, and ended up marrying her.

ESPN's story was pretty much from his side of the story, but at least he had the child and didn't have her put in jail.

 

[Deeeefense]

Originally posted by SaguaroCat:
We already have Boom and Horton and Kemp.

King Doesn't have to be a star. He just needs to be a good back on the scout team. And take two or three carries in the third quarter. And block or run down field on special teams.

Anything else is gravy.

In 2007 we went down to Arkansas and lost the 1st, 2nd and 3rd string running backs in the first half to injuries. The had to reach down the bench and tap a true Freshmen by the name of Derrick Locke to come in and carry the mail. The CATS won.

You can never have enough running backs - 3 will not get you through the season unless you are extraordinarily lucky.

 

[Trubluepopeye]

I think it could be very exciting with Sihiem and Boom both on field at same time. The defenses will need to guard against the corners on both sides with these guys in game. Not to mention he and Boom on each side of field on kick off return. Lets lace them up and get going.

 

[jte123]

Doesn't this guy just win on name alone - Soso Jamabo. lol Go Big Blue. Thoughts on JOJO this season.