Virginia Cavaliers safety Coen King has been named to the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 list. He will join teammates Brennan Armstrong, Kameron Butler, Nick Jackson, Anthony Johnson, Billy Kemp IV, and Keytaon Thompson. A best-in-class event, the Shrine Bowl has hosted top college talent and NFL hopefuls since 1925.
Coen King’s Cavalier Career
Coen King has been a Hoo since 2018.
In 2018, King appeared in one of Virginia’s 13 games. His debut with the Cavaliers was on special teams against North Carolina. King was one of 13 true freshman to see playing time during the 2018 season. He retained red shirt status under new NCAA rules.
The 2019 season saw eight appearances by King, all on special teams. During the Orange Bowl he had one tackle against the Florida Gators.
During 2020’s abbreviated season King appeared in eight of the Cavs’ 10 games. He had four starts for the season. In his first career start against the Louisville Cardinals, he made six tackles. He made five tackles against Boston College and led UVA with 10 tackles at Virginia Tech.
In 2021, King played in all 12 of Virginia’s games with seven starts. He was eighth on the team in tackles, with 41. In the win over Louisville, King forced and recovered a fumble and had a season high of eight tackles. Against Georgia Tech, he made six tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss, and he had six tackles against BYU.
Off the field, King was selected for the 2021 ACC All-Academic Team.
Breaking It Down
Virginia’s lineup in the coming season is promising, for the Cavs and for the players as individuals.
King’s strengths will be tested, improved, and showcased under Virginia’s new defensive coordinator John Rudzinski. At 6’0″, 200 lbs., King’s impact on the defense will be magnified this season thanks in large part to a significant uptick in snaps.
Now, King will join six of his teammates on the 2023 Shrine Bowl 1000 list. So what does this mean for the 2023 NFL Draft?
2023 NFL Draft Buzz
Coen King is a critical component of the Cavs’ defense. He is one of Virginia’s top two safeties. Though the defense has lacked in production, King spent last season proving his ability to cover the slot. He is also highly capable of covering space at safety, and he is quick to react, closing on the ball in any space and coming downhill in the run game.
If King continues to deliver for the Cavs in 2022, a future in the NFL is a realistic possibility.
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