Manvel star QB D'Eriq King verbals to UH

PEARLAND (FOX 26) - Manvel star quarterback D'Eriq King is the latest to join the University of Houston's "Htown Takeover" movement.

The Class of 2016 quarterback has been one of the area's premiere playmakers over the last several seasons. This year, he threw for 42 touchdowns to only five interceptions. King also rushed for eight more scores.

Up until just over a week ago, King was verbally committed to TCU. UH's momentum, however, was too hard to ignore, with the Cougars at 12-1 in Tom Herman's first year as head coach and headed to the Chick Fil-A Peach Bowl on New Year's Eve to face Florida State.

“It’s very exciting how far UH has come in a year," King told FOX 26 Sports. "Just imagine how far they’ll go in a couple of years. So it’s very exciting right now.

“The changes Coach Herman’s making and (offensive coordinator) Major Applewhite’s making, it was just like, ‘Wow.’“

King is clearly very enamored with both Herman and Applewhite and what they can do for his future.

“Coach Herman & Coach Applewhite are two great coaches, especially offensive-minded coaches, quarterback coaches," King explained. "That was a big deal to me and just to be coached by the best, coached hard, is a great deal.”

Another factor was current UH quarterback Greg Ward. King sees a UH offense that can be a perfect fit for his dual-threat skills.

“The quarterback they have now, Greg Ward, I feel me & him kind of play similar, if not almost the same," King said. "So it’s a perfect fit for me.”

King is just the latest of several Houston-area stars to join in the movement that has become known as the "Htown Takeover." He is very excited to continue the trend of keeping the hometown talent and hometown pride in Houston.

“It’s very cool," King said. "Just to play with the best players in the area, it’s a great deal to me. (Westfield WR) Tyrie Cleveland, (Westfield DT) Ed Oliver, (Katy DB) Collin Wilder, I played against all those guys. And now we’re on the same team, which is huge.”