Desmond King Bio
Desmond King II is an American former professional football cornerback, born on December 14, 1994, in Detroit, Michigan. He earned All-Pro honors in 2018 as both a defensive back and a punt returner. King played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was a unanimous All-American. He was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft and has also played for the Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Baltimore Ravens throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Desmond King attended East English Village Preparatory Academy in Detroit, Michigan, where he played as a defensive back and running back for the Bulldogs football team. During his high school career, he set a Michigan high school record with 29 interceptions and also established a school record for career rushing yards, accumulating 2,360 yards as a senior. His impressive performance earned him a three-star recruit rating from Rivals.com, leading him to commit to the University of Iowa for his college football career.
Path to American Football
At the University of Iowa, King played under head coach Kirk Ferentz. He made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2013, appearing in all 13 games and starting 12, becoming the first true freshman to start at defensive back for Iowa since 2002. King continued to excel in his sophomore year, starting all 13 games and recording 64 tackles and three interceptions. His junior season in 2015 was particularly notable, as he had 43 tackles and led the Big Ten with eight interceptions, earning him the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award, which is awarded to the best defensive back in college football. Despite being projected as an early-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, King chose to return to Iowa for his senior season, where he continued to receive accolades, including being named First-team All-Big Ten for the second consecutive year.
Desmond King Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Desmond King was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft with the 151st overall pick. He signed a four-year contract with the Chargers, competing for a role as the third cornerback during training camp. King made his professional debut in the Chargers’ season opener against the Denver Broncos, where he recorded a pass deflection. He quickly moved up the depth chart and earned his first career start as a nickelback, finishing his rookie season with 76 combined tackles, five pass deflections, and one interception. His performance earned him an overall grade of 86.5 from Pro Football Focus, ranking him among the top rookie cornerbacks.
Breakthrough (2018)
King’s breakout season came in 2018, where he recorded two solo tackles, three pass deflections, and intercepted two passes during a game against the Cleveland Browns. He also returned an interception for a 42-yard touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks, earning him the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award. King finished the season with 67 combined tackles, ten pass deflections, and three interceptions, solidifying his status as a top cornerback in the league. He was named to the Associated Press All-Pro Team, receiving first-team honors as a defensive back and second-team honors as a punt returner.
Notable Works and Milestones
Desmond King’s signature work includes his exceptional 2018 season, where he was recognized for his dual-threat capabilities as a cornerback and a punt returner. His accolades include being named a First-team All-Pro and winning the Jim Thorpe Award during his college career.
Desmond King Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Desmond King has received several nominations, including accolades for his performance as a cornerback and punt returner, showcasing his versatility and skill on the field.
Desmond King Awards Won
Desmond King has won multiple awards, including the Jim Thorpe Award in 2015, recognizing him as the best defensive back in college football, and being named to the Associated Press All-Pro Team in 2018.
Desmond King Family
Information regarding Desmond King’s family is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Desmond King has maintained a relatively private personal life, with limited public information about his relationships or children. He continues to focus on his career in professional football.