Rising junior quarterback Dereon Coleman, entering his first full season as a starter at Jones High, committed to play for the Miami Hurricanes on Tuesday, his 17th birthday.

Coleman said his decision was thanks in large part to the UM coaches, who have been making a lot of noise in Central Florida recently and have already secured the commitments of the top three offensive linemen for the Sentinel's 2025 Central Florida Super60: Matt Buchanan, Jaden Wilkerson and Demetrius Campbell.

“Miami has been honest with me throughout the entire process I've had with them,” Coleman said. “As a kid where I come from and where I grew up, staying honest means a lot to me and my whole household. I know I can trust them on and off the field.”

Coleman, the No. 5 player in the Sentinel's 2026 Central Florida Super60, chose the Hurricanes over Oklahoma and Ole Miss.

“I'm not going to lie. It was a tough decision. In the end, it all made a difference,” Coleman said. “All the coaches respected my decision. I continued to communicate with them and they said I was very comfortable with my decision.”

Miami's primary recruiter for Coleman was offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Shannon Dawson.

“It's going great and we talk every day. He wants to talk to his quarterback every day,” Coleman said. “We're just getting to know each other a little better and talking a lot about things off the field, about family.”

Coleman split time as Jones' quarterback last year as a sophomore, sharing duties with senior Trever Jackson, now a walk-on at FSU. Coleman threw for 2,236 yards and 16 touchdowns on 116-of-183 passing (63%).

“After that one year, I just went crazy. Last year, everyone thought I was going to transfer,” Coleman said. “But I just stayed and competed and showed everyone who I really am.”

Coleman spent time with Jackson and said he learned a lot from his older teammate.

“It was really great. People don't know it, but Trever and I had a great relationship. We were a great quarterback room,” Coleman said. “He taught me how to be a leader. He taught me how to grow up, etc. I taught him a few things. We were never enemies.”

Coleman gained experience and the respect of his teammates in his sophomore year.

“They respected me a lot and listened to me, even the older ones,” Coleman said. “It's a good feeling when people look up to me and ask me questions when something goes wrong.”

“When they see that I'm not falling, the whole team just keeps going. That's what I love about it.”

Coleman and the Tigers have high expectations.

“We're going to win a ship… and get the ring,” he said.

He has high praise for Jones coach Elijah Williams.

“Coach Will helped me a lot off the field. I already had the skills. Coach Will helped me mature and did everything for me,” Coleman said. “He's like another father figure to me. He plays a father role in my life.”

Chris Hays can be found on X @OS_ChrisHaysHe can be reached via email at [email protected].