Miami’s Elite 11 Dual-Threat QB with Cam Ward DNA and a 25-TD, 1-INT Senior Season
Dereon Coleman, a 6'1", 165-lb four-star QB from Orlando’s Jones High School, is Miami’s 2026 Class signal-caller ranked 19th nationally among QBs (On3) and 21st by 247Sports. His differentiator is a twitched-up arm paired with elite dual-threat production: 2,391 passing yards, 25 TDs, just 1 INT, and 503 rushing yards in his senior year. Coach Mario Cristobal explicitly compares his playstyle to ex-UM star Cam Ward, signaling high upside as a pocket-passer who can also run. Competing at the 2025 Elite 11 Finals, Coleman shows intense competitiveness and a calm under pressure—traits that make him a perfect fit for Miami’s aggressive, downfield scheme. No injury history reported; his intensity and accuracy (1 INT in 283 attempts) suggest immediate contributor potential.
