During his press conference discussing the 2026 Miami class, Hurricanes' head coach Mario Cristobal compared quarterback signee Dereon Coleman to the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Cam Ward. Ward had a record-setting 2024 in his only season with Miami.
The ability to perform off script and use different arm angles was the reason Cristobal compares Coleman to Ward. Coleman has completed 71.4 percent of his pass attempts for 8,039 yards, 69 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 1,205 rushing yards, 12 TDs and two 100-yard games per MaxPreps in his high school career.