CORAL GABLES — Quarterback Dereon Coleman picked the Hurricanes on July 5, 2024, and he never wavered.
He watched the class grow from a small group to 30 people following linebacker Karsten Busch’s signing on Wednesday. Earlier that day, Coleman officially became a Hurricane, sending in his paperwork on the first day of the Early Signing Period.
Coleman drew high praise from his future coach, Mario Cristobal, after he signed with UM.
“He reminded us a lot, actually, of Cam Ward in so many ways,” Cristobal said, “because of the different arm angles he’d get the ball out and exceptional football IQ. Great human being, competitor, just always wins.”
Comparing a high school senior to Ward, who set several program records during a Heisman Trophy-finalist season before becoming the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, is a high bar to set. But Cristobal thinks highly of the Orlando Jones High star.
“You never find him getting trapped or sacked,” Cristobal said. “If he’s not extending a play, it’s because he ran the play to the script and the way it was designed to go. But he can improvise. He can extend (plays). The off-script stuff is excellent and he has all the intangibles of what you want for a quarterback.”
Coleman, who is rated a four-star prospect and the No. 19 quarterback in 247Sports’ composite rankings, has had a dominant senior season. Entering Friday night’s state semifinal game, Coleman has 2,391 passing yards with 25 touchdowns and one interception. Coleman also has added 503 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
“(Coleman) finally threw (an interception) the other day,” Cristobal said. “He was so upset he couldn’t speak for a long time.”
Local running back Javian Mallory a key part of class
Four-star West Boca Raton running back Javian Mallory is the sole running back in the Hurricanes’ 2026 class. But the local star has shown he can carry a heavy load.
Mallory is a key part of the Bulls’ playoff run, and he is trying to lead his team to its second straight title. He has rushed for more than 1,100 yards and has 14 touchdowns.
Now he is excited to join the Hurricanes’ running back corps.
“I go down there in January, and I fit right into the running back room,” Mallory said. “They like big, physical, downhill backs who’ve also got speed with them. I can’t wait to go down there and learn from those other guys, pick up other good habits. They can learn off of me a little bit, and we just continue to make Miami great.”
Cristobal said the staff likes multiple aspects of Mallory’s game, and he thinks the West Boca star can compete for playing time early.
“He’s special,” Cristobal said. “He’s smart, he’s big, he’s tough, he’s strong — a lot like some of the backs that we have right now. He’s got that extra gear, great out of the backfield and catching passes in the screen game. He can detach when you throw him the ball, as well. He’s very advanced at this protection detail, as well. So a guy that we expect to come in right away (and) compete for playing time.”
Mallory said his relationship with the coaching staff has “grown tremendously” since he committed.
“I feel like they have my best interests at heart,” Mallory said, “and they genuinely wanted me there not just because of what I can do on the football field but because of who I am outside the football field, my personality, my care. I feel like I fit in perfectly with them.”
