How Former WR Jamarcus King Became the No. 1 JUCO CB Recruit

For someone who didn't play cornerback in high school, Jamarcus King has turned into a player who could one day dominate the position at the FBS level.

Representing Prichard, Alabama, King was a wide receiver at Blount High School before continuing his football career at Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kansas. Upon arrival at Coffeyville, former defensive backs coach James Colzie III, now the defensive coordinator at the University of British Columbia in Canada, decided to test King's talents on the other side of the ball.

"I'd played [cornerback] maybe five or six times in high school, but I was just out there playing around," King said. "When I got to Coffeyville the summer of 2014, the coaches said they were going to move me to cornerback.

"I was like, 'Cool.' Anything to get me on the field and not have to redshirt."

Turns out, King was better than expected at the new position. And after a freshman year full of postseason accolades, King is now the nation's top-ranked junior college cornerback and a wanted target by several FBS programs.

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— Mark King (@Mark_Kingg) December 12, 2014"

King, a 6'2", 180-pound cornerback, has 17 reported offers—Miami being the latest on Friday—and is looking into securing a full official visit schedule. He will visit Baylor this weekend and is looking at potential visits to Tennessee, Louisville, Auburn, TCU and Miami. King originally verbally committed to Auburn in June but decommitted in September to explore additional options.

A shutdown defender, King has excellent size and makeup speed to play the position. In 11 games, King has 37 tackles, three interceptions and a team-high 10 pass breakups, according to the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference website. He was a first-team all-KJCCC cornerback and also a second-team NJCAA All-American last season.

"I cover the fade ball very well," said King, who has been clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.45 seconds. "I give all the credit to my DB coaches. Coach Colzie and [former defensive coordinator] Coach [Mitchell] Pate molded me to a cornerback."

The transition from receiver to cornerback, King said, wasn't as difficult as some may think. Instead of escaping from an island, he now has to contain the island. Both positions battle for the football in the air. Both positions rely on quickness, speed and athleticism.

And both positions require an athlete to play smart—either that, or become a highlight on a Hudl tape.

"I think with me, being a smart receiver helped," King said. "You've got to know your routes and how to beat the DB. Once I got to the other side of the ball, I could tell what routes receivers were running. You've just got to make the play first.

"For me, it was quick and simple. But again, I had great coaching."

And with that, FBS schools are hoping King will give them his verbal commitment soon. He said he hasn't made official visit dates for any school outside of Baylor, but he knows he's looking for a team that will allow him to be a playmaker.

King added that even though he decommitted from Auburn, the Tigers are still very much in contention. A decision, however, won't be rushed.

"I want to go to a team that has good D-linemen who get to the quarterback," he said. "That'll give me a good chance to catch picks. I want to be at a place that throws a lot in the conference. The recruiting process is tough, but I want to make the right decision."

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles