Miami QB commit Dereon Coleman is a performer, the latest show coming at Battle South Florida

FORT LAUDERDALE – Miami quarterback commit Dereon Coleman is a performer.

Always has been.

The latest show came this weekend in South Florida as the Orlando (Fla.) Jones standout led Defcon United to a tournament championship at Battle 7v7 South Florida.

Typically one of the most competitive and star-studded competitions of the year, it was Coleman who took his team to the top. No prospect played better and the future Hurricane was named On3’s Top Performer in the process.

“Dereon Coleman came into the playoffs on day two of Battle Miami with some serious juice after a strong day one performance,” On3 national analyst Cody Bellaire said. “And not only did he deliver, but he walked out a champion. 

“His natural whip and ability to deliver strike after strike allowed the Defcon United offense to light up the scoreboard all afternoon. His ability to manipulate the football and make throws that simply other quarterbacks can’t make really stood out on day two, especially in the windy conditions.”

At one point in his recruitment Coleman was leaning Oklahoma and nearly announced a verbal, but return visits to Miami and the way head coach Mario Cristobal, offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson and the staff made him feel important changed the pulse of the process.

And it looks like The U has a guy that can lead their offense in exciting fashion for years to come.

“His arm talent is special and he did things with the football that defenses simply couldn’t stop all weekend long,” Bellaire said. “He was the most dominant player here at Battle Miami, regardless of position.”

Coleman is used to dominating.

Small in stature, he was born to spin a football. Coleman has been blessed with an electric arm. A fluid athlete that has never shied from the moment. That latter part is his best trait and what separates camp and combine quarterbacks and winners on the field. As a sophomore he took Jones High to the state semifinals completing 63 percent of his throws for 2,236 yards and 16 touchdowns to just six interceptions.

The 5-foot-11, 160-pound Coleman blossomed as a junior hitting on 73 percent of his attempts for 3,412 yards and 28 touchdowns to just four interception. They went 14-1 losing in the state title game.

“Fantastic season,” Coleman stated before getting to the punchline. “We didn’t come out with what we wanted. We did everything we could. Balled out and love my brothers for playing with me. Everyone was 10 toes down.”

But Coleman doesn’t want that feeling he had in the 41-31 title game loss to American Heritage ever again. He certainly didn’t feel that way on Sunday hoisting a trophy.

“Now it’s senior season,” Coleman said. All of the off-season work with his teammates and coaches at Jones, his trainer Baylin Trujillo, and the time spent with Defcon United, is going towards winning his last high school football game this coming fall.

“I want to do better than what I did before,” Coleman said. “Actually win a state championship. Get bigger in the weight room. Get better.”

The development of Coleman’s game was easy to see during the season. He understands coverages better and works every level of the field.

“Being able to throw in the middle of the field way better than I was,” Coleman said.

Miami’s quarterback room is in good shape. Cristobal and Dawson secured On3’s top available player in the Transfer Portal in former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck to come in and take the reigns from Heisman Finalist and Davey O’Brien Award winner Cam Ward. Emory Williams and incoming true freshman Luke Nickel who carved up the Peach State en route to a pair of state titles the last two years provides strong depth.

Coleman is on the way and he sees an opportunity to compete in year one after Beck. He believes his play-style matches Ward’s and Dawson painted the picture as much.

“They finally got the quarterback that could run their offense and be the playmaker they needed,” Coleman said. “(Dawson) he explained it the same way he explained it to Cam. He told me everything he said to Cam was literally the same thing he said to me.”

As Coleman still develops physically it’s easy to say his best football is ahead of him. He’s a pass first signal-caller that has shown he can extend plays with his legs. He has 702 rushing yards and eight touchdowns over the last two seasons. Wiry strong right now and natural, it’s going to be exciting to track his development if you’re a Hurricane fan.

Coleman looks forward to representing Miami all off-season at these big events.

“I’m 1,000 percent locked in,” Coleman stated. “If you’re committed, you’re going to stay committed.”