Jeff King

Much of the success that the Hokies have attained in the short passing game and outside running attack has to be credited to the clutch catching and bone-jarring blocks delivered by King over the last two years. King has not only excelled at tight end, but has also performed with flair on special teams, boasting three blocked kicks during his career. He was also allowed to feature his athletic skills earlier in his career as a member of Virginia Tech's basketball team. At Pulaski County High School, King was a Prep Stars All-American and rated the third-best tight end in the Atlantic Region. The Associated Press and the state's coaches named King first-team Group AAA All-State. The Roanoke Times and Super Prep rated him the No. 12 prospect in Virginia. He added honorable mention All-South from The Orlando Sentinel and twice earned All-Timesland accolades. King led his team to the Group AAA, Division 5 state semifinals in 2000. He finished his senior season with 278 yards receiving and eight touchdowns and also registered eight sacks as a defensive end. He set a school record with 101 pancake blocks that season. King was an outstanding basketball player who compiled over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds during his career. He averaged 25 points and 14 rebounds as a senior on the way to All-District and All-Region honors. He also competed in the shot put for the track team with a best effort of 54-7 as a junior. King was also a member of the National Honor Society. King redshirted in 2001 at Virginia Tech. He played in 14 games as a reserve in 2002, with his only reception good for a 19-yard touchdown. He spent most of the 2003 campaign as a reserve, catching six passes for 109 yards (18.2 avg) and a score. King was named second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference as a junior. He caught 25 passes for 304 yards (12.2 avg) and four touchdowns. He also lettered in basketball, appearing in 16 games for the Hokies. King again captured second-team All-ACC honors in 2005. He produced a career-high 26 catches for 292 yards (11.2 avg) and six touchdowns. He had a touchdown in four straight games, setting a school modern era record. In 53 games at Tech, King started 28 times, finishing with 58 receptions for 724 yards (12.5 avg). His 11 touchdown catches set a school career record for tight ends. He also made seven tackles (6 solos) and blocked three kicks.

king has good overall frame width with room to add additional bulk. he has good chest thickness, long arms with adequate hand size and minimal softness around the midsection. he shows good agility, balance and acceleration, but lacks a sudden burst off the snap or the second gear needed to elude after the catch.

King can release with his strength, displaying effective arm rip and swim moves. He does not have the timed speed to shake off coverage and when he breaks high in his stance, he cannot generate a burst. He is most effective when working in the short area, King has a knack for getting his head turned around to locate the ball when operating underneath.

positives

Has a wide frame with good leg drive and power and room to add needed bulk...Tough, physical blocker with the ability to cut off linebackers at the second level and the hand placement skills to lock on and sustain when working on the edge...Has a good feel for coverage, working back quickly when the pocket collapses...Shows courage and desire, along with excellent leaping ability to reach and pluck the ball while operating in a crowd...Times his leaps well to excel as a kick blocker...Does a good job with route execution, knowing where the sticks and chains are...Has the body control and loose hips to adjust to the ball in flight...Has soft hands to receive the ball with ease...Shows a strong and physical leg drive to gain yardage after the catch...Looks comfortable extending for the ball and has the ball adjustment skills to get his head around quickly and locate the ball when operating in the red zone.

he is a secure ball carrier after the catch, having put the ball on the ground only once during his career. he runs with a normal stride and does not take false steps coming out of his breaks. he does not have the speed to separate, but can utilize his leg drive to power through tackles. he is very tough going over the middle for the ball. he maintains focus with defenders zeroing in on him and will extend and leap to get to the pass at its highest point. he also uses that leaping ability very well as a kick blocker.

When blocking in-line, King could use more bulk, but he shows quickness getting out to the edge to seal off the pass rush. He shows good desire as a blocker and with added strength he could develop better consistency in attempts to gain leverage. He might struggle some to make reach blocks, but fights to keep contact. In 2005, he showed better anticipation skills when getting downfield to locate and wall off the linebackers.

negatives

Good cut blocker and pass protector, but needs to add more bulk and lower body strength to face up to defensive linemen when blocking in-line...Lacks the burst coming out of his breaks to gain separation...Runs with a normal stride, but is not considered a deep threat because of adequate timed speed...On rare chances getting past the second level, he will generally get caught from behind due to his marginal acceleration and inability to shake off coverage,

his marginal sustained speed prevents him from being used on deep patterns, but he does a nice job of tracking the ball and making the catch. with little burst and adequate acceleration, he is easily caught from behind when trying to go long distances. he seems to excel when operating in the red zone, as he uses his body to shield the ball and sinks his hips to drop his weight when attempting to break arm tackles.

One thing you see on film is his good job of executing in his routes. Even though he does not have great speed, he can settle in and get small working underneath and has the body control and balance to come back quickly for a poorly thrown pass. His production in the red zone and leaping ability will make him a valuable situational performer at the next level.

No injuries reported.

Campus: 4.81 in the 40-yard dash

500-pound back squat

370-pound bench press

35-inch vertical jump

32 ½-inch arm length

9 ½-inch hands.

Attended Pulaski County (Va.) High School, playing football for head coach Joel Hicks

Prep Stars All-American and rated the third-best tight end in the Atlantic Region

The Associated Press and the state's coaches named King first-team Group AAA All-State

The Roanoke Times and Super Prep rated him the No. 12 prospect in Virginia

Added honorable mention All-South from The Orlando Sentinel and twice earned All-Timesland accolades

Led his team to the Group AAA, Division 5 state semifinals in 2000

He finished his senior season with 278 yards receiving and eight touchdowns and also registered eight sacks as a defensive end

Set a school record with 101 pancake blocks that season

An outstanding basketball player who compiled over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds during his career

Averaged 25 points and 14 rebounds as a senior on the way to All-District and All-Region honors

Also competed in the shot put for the track team with a best effort of 54-7 as a junior

Member of the National Honor Society.

Graduated in May 2005 with a degree in Finance and is presently enrolled in graduate school, taking courses in Health and Physical Education

Son of Lynn and Jerry King

Born Jeffrey W. King on 2/19/83 in Pulaski, Virginia.