Justin King (American football)

Infobox NFLactive
name=Justin King


caption=
currentteam=St. Louis Rams
currentnumber=32
currentposition=Cornerback
birthdate=birth date and age|1987|5|11
birthplace=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=186
debutyear=
debutteam=
college=Penn State
draftyear=2008
draftround=4
draftpick=101
pastteams=
* St. Louis Rams (2008-present)
status=Unsigned Draft Pick
statweek=
statseason=
statlabel1=
statvalue1=
statlabel2=
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nfl=

Justin Thomas King (born May 11, 1987 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a cornerback for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted in the fourth round by the Rams in the 2008 NFL Draft. [cite web | url = http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_564606.html | title = PSU's Connor picked by Panthers, WVU's Slaton picked by Texans | author = Sam Ross, Jr. | accessdate = 2008-04-27 | publisher = Pittsburgh Tribune-Review] He played college football at Penn State University.

High school

King was a highly rated high school football recruit playing football for Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. King was the Gatorade Pennsylvania player of the year as a senior. He was rated as highly as the top cornerback recruit in the country in 2004, and the top football recruit in the state of Pennsylvania. He played in the 2005 U.S. Army All-American Bowl with fellow Nittany Lion Derrick Williams. King's stepfather, Terry Smith, was a receiver for Penn State from 1988 to 1991.

Penn State

King arrived at Penn State as one of the most highly touted prospects in the football program's history. He made an immediate impact as a true freshman, playing on both offense and defense in 2005. That season he averaged 12.6 yards per rushing attempt, racking up 277 yards on 18 carries.

By 2006, he was the team's starting cornerback, playing all thirteen games. His first career interception came versus Ohio State and snapped eventual Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith's streak of 153 attempts without an interception. [http://www.gopsusports.com/football/schedules/recap.cfm?gid=4408] . King was named second team all-Big Ten by the conference coaches that season, [http://www.gopsusports.com/docs/home/112106/teams.pdf] and was named to the 2006 Academic All-Big Ten team.

Following his junior season, King declared himself eligible for the 2008 NFL Draft, forgoing one year of college eligibility. King, an academic All-Big Ten selection, finished his degree in Letters, Arts, and Sciences in two and a half years.

NFL

Despite questions over King's decision to declare himself eligible for the 2008 NFL Draft following his junior season, King made a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine. His 4.31-second time in the 40-yard dash was the fastest time for a defensive back, and second-fastest of all prospects, second only to running back Chris Johnson of East Carolina.

King was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the 4th round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He signed a three-year contract with Rams, only to suffer a torn ligament in his hallux in the first preseason game versus the Tennessee Titans. He is reported to be out for the season.

External links

* [http://warroomreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=142&Itemid=51 2008 NFL Draft Scouting Report]

* [http://www.gatewaygators.com/football/videoclips.asp GatewayGators.com - highlights from Justin King in high school]

References