[jcmanson]

Rockarius King
5’7” 177 Running Back
4.36 – 40
St. Stephen (SC) Timberland High School

ESPN Profile

Rivals Profile

Scout Profile

In an article from January:

Lately King has been very busy collecting several pieces of hardware to add to his trophy shelf. With that being said, he is hoping that it’s only a matter of time before he starts collecting a few scholarship offers. “I don’t have any offers right now,” King said. “But, I’ve been receiving letters/interest from Clemson, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Notre Dame so far.”

http://hssouthcarolina.scout.com/2/718268.html

[Rooster Cogburn]

OK, I'm lost. Why is he on here as a prospect. You got some info we don't have?

[jcmanson]

One report had him pegged as the #8 prospect in state of SC in class of 2009.

8. Timberland RB Rockarius King Nobody shows this young man the respect he deserves. Not from a recruiting standpoint anyways. He has been one of the most prolific running backs in the Palmetto State over the past few seasons despite his lack of size. King has shown big play capability time and time again and we're hoping some schools will ante up with scholarships and give him a chance. If gets taller by a few inches we're talking about at least a 3 or 4 star player on a national level.

[jcmanson]

OK, I'm lost. Why is he on here as a prospect. You got some info we don't have?

I don’t have any information other than what anybody else could have.

[Rooster Cogburn]

Got ya. Just didn't see a Liberty reference in the links. It would be nice to have a shot at getting him here.

[Sly Fox]

Thanks for the heads up on the kid, manson.

Does this kid have a great name or what? I wonder if his parents are Elvis fans?

Can you imagine the chatter on Coastalfans if we plucked a prime kid like this out of their backyard?

Check out the stats in his Scout profile:

Biography:
2006: As a sophomore, King ran for over 2300 yards and made it into the end zone 33 times. Went on to be name the Statewide Sophomore of the Year…

2007: Rushed for 1700+ yards and scored 20 touchdowns, despite missing 2 games. King currently owns the school record with over 5000 career rushing yards…

[Sly Fox]

Here is a story from the Charlestonl fishwrap prior to his junior season ...

Timberland running back Rockarius King packs power, endurance into 5-6 1/2 frame

By Philip M. Bowman
The Post and Courier
Friday, August 24, 2007


Timberland running back Rockarius King looked tired as he and the rest of the offensive players came to the sideline during last fall's playoff game against Myrtle Beach. Coach Art Craig came over to the 5-6 1/2, 170-pound running back and asked him if he was OK.

"I'm fine," said King, who was carrying the ball at a high rate and getting stronger — while wearing the defense down.

In a game that saved Timberland's season, King converted three fourth downs into first downs and capped an 18-play, 80-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run with just over a minute left in the third quarter to give the Wolves a 24-20 victory.

He finished with 43 carries for 204 yards.

Click Here for Full Story

[Sly Fox]

And another local story from this summer ...

King pegged as "go-to guy" in 2008

By Joe Anderson
Berkeley Independent



As Timberland moves toward its 2008 football season, all eyes are on star running back Rockarius King.


In his sophomore season, Rockarius, or “Rock” as his teammates call him, racked up over 2,700 all-purpose yards for the Wolves.


His junior year was no different. In Timberland’s first five games, King accumulated over 1,000 rushing yards and ended the season with over 1,700, showing no signs of slowing down.


“I hope to get ever better this coming season,” King said. “There’s no next season when it’s your senior year. You want to be the best possible player you can be and do whatever it takes to get your team to a state championship.”


What the 5’7”, 177-pound tailback may lack in size, he more than makes up for in strength and speed, bench pressing 350 pounds and running a 4.36 40.


“I want to score as much a possible this season,” he said. “You always want to have a good season when you’re out there on the field, but it’s even more important when it’s the last season you’ll play in high school.”

Click Here for Full Story

[jcmanson]

It appears he has grown an inch over the past year. Hopefully, he is still growing and gets another inch or two. Either way he would still be a huge pick up.

[Sly Fox]

Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton did OK at this kid's size. I wouldn't sweat that at all.

[Cider Jim]

Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton and PAmedic did OK at this kid's size. I wouldn't sweat that at all.

FIFY

[Sly Fox]

Rivals has a nice highlight videoposted on his profile.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

Wow... Big Time



I might have missed something, but why are we talking about him if we arent on his list?

[Sly Fox]

Chantster over on AGS (who knows what he is talking about for a CCU guy) mentioned that we had offered and that Rock was seriously considering a verbal commitment.

[LUconn]

He's got pretty good vision. He looks very fast in those videos but it's tough to tell if he's just a burner or if that's just high school football complete with bad pursuit angles. I think one kid tried to fall on him while both were running full speed.

[Sly Fox]

He appears more quick than fast to me. With his size and acceleration he is able to get through holes undetected. He posted a presonal best 10.79 in the 100 this spring. Otherwise he was usually clocked in the 11s. But in short distances it will be a rare kid who could outrun this kid.

[Rooster Cogburn]

Chantster over on AGS (who knows what he is talking about for a CCU guy) mentioned that we had offered and that Rock was seriously considering a verbal commitment.

Thanks. Why didn't you tell me that when I asked earlier jcmanson?

Anyway the highlight looks like a bigtime kid. If he committed to LU it would be HUGE!

[jcmanson]

Thanks. Why didn't you tell me that when I asked earlier jcmanson?

[Rooster Cogburn]

Thanks. Why didn't you tell me that when I asked earlier jcmanson?

You are Evil?

[jcmanson]

Not really. I just like to keep you guys guessing

[olldflame]

Imagine a 2009 backfield of SirChauncey and Rockerious. Then imagine the Sportscenter segment Kenny Mayne could get out of that.

[RagingTireFire]

You guys are wetting yourselves on the word of a Coastal poster? Please. Neither Scout nor Rivals lists anything from any school other than Clemson and South Carolina -- which, incidentally, why would Clemson and/or South Carolina be going after the #8 running back in their home state? They should be going after #1 and #2 and leave #8 to the Furmans and Woffords of the world. Presby gets the #30.

Honestly, I'm not all that impressed by the video, especially when you put him up against Holloway. Holloway looked a whole lot better against 5A Florida competition than this kid does against 3A South Carolina competition. Timberland isn't even a Big 16 school.

Anyway, that's my opinion. Y'all may return to your urination.

[jcmanson]

He's not the #8 RB in the state, he's the #8 player in the state regardless of position which comes in as the #2 RB. So, by your logic Clemson and SC should be going after him.

http://forums.palmettofootballtalk.com/ ... 2391064286

[jcmanson]

He made the AAA all-state first team as a junior. The other RBs who made the team: 2 were seniors and are playing at Vanderbilt and North Greenville respectively, the other was a junior.

[RagingTireFire]

http://forums.palmettofootballtalk.com/ ... 2391064286

That's a messageboard posting you're referencing which is no different than BJ's prognostication thread for accuracy. It's also wrong since Timberland is a 3A school, not 4A as described there. Additionally, the other information fails to impress me since you included the word "Vanderbilt" and shored that up with the words "North Greenville". Trust me, I see Vanderbilt-level talent on a nearly daily basis and I'll tell you a little secret: it ain't that great. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this kid can't play -- clearly he can -- but he doesn't look to me like the recruiting wet dream you guys are making him out to be.