Saarbrücken, Germany- Kyle King’s storied career in Belton drew to close with the conclusion of the 2022 season. But after a year in which he was a All-America selection by the AFCA, the AP, and D3football.com, King’s football career is far from over.
The Milano, Texas native will leave behind the Lone Star State, and the United States as a whole, on the next step of his journey to the professional level.
On Tuesday, it was announced that King had signed with the Saarland Hurricanes of the German Football League, a team that has finished above .500 in four of the last five seasons.
King wrapped up his collegiate career following this past season, in which he broke season program records for passing yards (3,676), completions (260), and passing touchdowns (41).
He finished as UMHB’s all-time career leader in passing yardage (6,971), surpassing Zach Anderson by just 33 yards. His 82 touchdown passes from 2020-22 also ranks No. 1, and his career completion percentage of 64 percent is No. 2 behind Luke Poorman. King, a native of Milano, Texas, who initially began his career at Howard Payne in 2018, then worked his way up at UMHB, beginning with a year on the JV roster, proved an inspirational story as he rose to stardom in Belton. He was 26-2 as the Crusaders’ starting quarterback, and an All-America selection by the AFCA, the Associated Press, and D3football.com this past fall.
Located in Saarbrücken, a city of about 180,000 situated on the far western border of Germany the team was formed in 1982. The Hurricanes’ home stadium is Ludwigsparkstadion, which seats 35.053, and will soon be full when the 2023 campaign kicks off on May 20.
The GFL permits each team to sign just four Americans, and with King’s signing, two of those roster spots have already been taken up. On Jan. 7, the organization announced defensive back Johnathan Roebuck would be returning for a second season. Roebuck is a D-II alumnus having played at Concord University.
King is the third member of the 2021 Stagg Bowl title team to sign a professional contract, as cornerback Keith Gipson played for the USFL’s Pittsburgh Maulers this past spring and receiver Brenton Martin signed on Dec. 9 with the Wroclaw Panthers of the European Football League.
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