New Bears on the Block: Redshirt Junior Grad Transfer RB King Doerue

The Bears added significant depth to the running backs room in the offseason after losing a trio of backs to the transfer portal and the last of those additions was redshirt junior running back King Doerue‍. The Amarillo, Texas native retained a season of eligibility in the 2020 covid season as well as in 2022 when he played in the four game limit in his fourth season. The 5’10/205 RB rushed 309 times for 1,145 yards and 10 touchdowns, along with 47 receptions for 381 yards receiving and three touchdown catches through the air in 32 games with 16 starts in four seasons.

"It was great," Doerue said of his former program. "Purdue opened a lot of doors for me. It was a great experience. I got my degree from there. Coaches were nice. They were great. And my teammates, everything about the places great.

“They just found ways to put me in space so they threw flat routes and swing routes and stuff like that. That's part of my skill set."

Doerue showed some impressive power in his highlights but he considers himself more versatile than just a short yardage power back.

"I would say I'm more I'm balanced," Doerue noted. "I can do a little bit of everything.".

The change in programs has been fairly substantial, from the S&C program to the weather but the former 3 star Texas prep has been embracing his new home.

"Yeah, it's been great," Doerue said. "You know it's hot in Texas. But up here it's hot, but we've got a little breeze ao I just feel like the weather is perfect. I had to adjust a little bit because it's my first time on the west coast but it's been great. I love it. The weather, the area, it's just great. I like it here."

Asked about some of the difference’s between Purdue’s program and Cal’s, grad transfer RB has been happy so far with the transition.

"Our strength staff does a great job," Doerue noted. "We've been put through a lot of great workouts and I feel it in my body, I feel my body changing, I feel my knee coming down faster and stronger. So they're doing a great job. And just the environment here is just great. My teammates, they welcomed me with open arms and they've helped get me adjusted to the new system, the new playbook. So it's just been great overall."

With new offensive coordinator Jake Spavital’s arrival, the S&C staff has put a bigger emphasis on cardio to play at a faster pace on both sides of the ball.

"Yeah, we've been running," Doerue said with a smile. "Good thing we have that breeze I was talking about."

Following his transfer from Purdue, Doerue pursued one of his passions back in his community of Amarillo, running a camp for young players and being a role model to show them that they could have a future like him and his former teammates who have gone on to athletic success if they work hard and pursue their dreams.

Doerue parlayed a successful prep career at Tascosa High School in Abilene to an impressive offer list, pulling in offers from in-state programs Baylor, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and TCU along with Notre Dame, Ole Miss and more.

"The main reason for my camp is I just want to make an impact on my community just show kids back home that if I went out there and did it, they can, too," Doerue said. "So I had one of my former teammates, David Bell come out, he's in the NFL now so just putting NFL players in front of them. And also my friends who play college ball as well, I put in there, too, just to show that it's real. Like you can do it too like these guys, you guys are in that position so y'all can do it, too. And it went great. It's my second year. Had about 90 to 100 kids and had about five or six sponsors. So it went really well. I just want to make a good impact on the community.”

The feedback he’s gotten from players and families cements that he’s spending his time well with the kids he’s coaching.

"I feel like it gives a lot of kids confidence, because that's what we try to do at the camp as well," Doerue said. "Like, just hype them up, give them the confidence that they need, because you never know what a kid is going through. So we just want to inspire the kids and I get a lot of feedback from parents as well, like their kids can't wait to the camp so that's great to hear.

"Go Bears!”

Related:

Bears Add Purdue Grad Transfer RB King Doerue

New Bears on the Block: Cal Grad Transfer RB Isaiah Ifanse