The Miami Hurricanes only signed one high school quarterback, who could potentially carry the program's legacy.
Obviously, the biggest story around Miami Hurricanes football has been the insanity of the College Football Playoffs and the Selection Committee's rankings. However, this season marks a closed chapter for multiple players, including redshirt senior Carson Beck, who's expected to re-declare for the NFL draft.
He had a great season coming back from an offseason UCL injury, which required surgical repair. The former Georgia Bulldog played in all 12 games, completed 263 out of 352 passes, 74.7 percent, for 3,072 yards, recording 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
After the Hurricanes' victory against the Syracuse Orange, with a final score of 38-10, Beck surpassed 10,000 career passing yards. He's currently 91st on the all-time list.
As the Hurricanes concluded the season with a four-game win streak, Beck completed 89 of 112 passes, 79.5 percent, for 1,125 yards, recording 11 touchdowns and one interception. It was his best stretch of the season since joining the South Florida program.
The Jacksonville native did an outstanding job in following up on Cam Ward's Heisman-caliber season, but who's next?
The Hurricanes currently have four other quarterbacks on the roster who are unproven in both an internal and a college football perspective. However, as Signing Day recently passed, perhaps that is where the answer lies.
In the Hurricanes' 2026 class, which is ranked within the top-10 from multiple outlets, the program successfully recruited quarterback Dereon Coleman. He's a Florida native, originally from Orlando, committed in 2024, and went to Jones High School.
Coleman is the lone quarterback of the 2026 class and a four-star recruit, according to multiple outlets. In his senior year, he led Jones to an 11-2 record, completed 174 out of 288 passes, 76.3 percent, for 2,391 yards, recording 25 touchdowns and one interception.
Mario Cristobal sees a resemblance to him with another great Hurricanes quarterback:
"He reminded us a lot, actually, of Cam Ward in so many ways, because of the different arm angles he can get the ball out in," he said. "Exceptional football IQ, great human being, competitor, just always wins. You never find him getting trapped or sacked. If he's not extending a play, it's because he ran a play to the script and the way it was designed to go. He can improvise, he can extend, the off-script stuff is excellent, and he has all the intangibles of what you want for a quarterback. Another guy, whose best football is ahead of him."
The Hurricanes' last two starting quarterbacks have come from the transfer portal, which could affect Coleman's opportunity on the field. However, Cristobal alluded to the situation being "unique":
"We did bring [Ward and Beck] in," he added. "One ended up being the top pick of the draft and this other one has done really, really well. If not for one game, [he'd] would probably be in the conversation of being a Heisman finalist. We don't ever shy away from the truth and reality. Here, you end up on the field in so many different ways. We have walk-ons that have earned playing time. We have first-year guys come in and take the position of a junior or senior. We've had guys that have been hurt, rehabilitated, not many people thought much of, and all of a sudden, they're taking a starting spot or getting significant reps. We don't discriminate when it comes to playing time and contributing to the team here. If you can play and you're doing the right things, on and off the field, we're going to find a spot for you."
Coleman may have a legitimate shot at being the Hurricanes' starting quarterback next season, depending on the rest of the competition. However, it should be no surprise if the upcoming freshman manages to pull off the same stunt wide receiver Malachi Toney did this season.
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