Why Oklahoma is 'Dream School' for 2026 QB Target Dereon Coleman
Even before Seth Littrell and company extended an offer to Dereon Coleman, Oklahoma piqued the talented 2026 quarterback's interest.
Despite living in Florida, Coleman told AllSooners that he grew up an OU fan, and was excited to receive an offer from the Sooners.
"That conversation felt like a dream come true because OU was always a dream school, like my favorite school," Coleman said. "The conversation went well. … OU is a quarterback school, it’s a winning school. I know what OU could do for me."
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 160 pounds, Coleman is a promising QB prospect with plenty of upside and athleticism. According to the Jones (FL) standout, Littrell and other coaches have highlighted how quick Coleman's release is.
"It made me feel good. What he said, my quick release, I’m a winner," Coleman said. "I was very vocal when he came to watch me throw, had the guys straight. I got a chip on my shoulder."
The coveted sophomore has already picked up more than 15 offers, including one from Oklahoma on Feb. 7. In addition to the Sooners, Nebraska, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas A&M and others have already offered the 2026 signal caller.
Despite a handful of other SEC schools in the mix for Coleman, OU seems to stand out, as the young quarterback mentioned that he will be in Norman for the team's spring football game and possibly for another visit this spring.
"I’m going to come up there in April or March," Coleman said. "Sometime this spring, but I know for sure I’m going to be at the Spring Game."
At Jones, Coleman was teammates with 4-star 2024 quarterback Trever Jackson, who picked up an offer from Oklahoma when Jeff Lebby was still on staff.
Getting to play with and learn from such a talented signal caller, Coleman mentioned that Jackson helped him improve multiple areas of his game.
"He’s the one that helped me build my leadership," Coleman said. "Helped me be more vocal to the team. So yeah, he helped a lot."
Additionally, Coleman works with Orlando-based QB specialist Baylin Trujillo, who trains a handful of other coveted passers like fellow 2026 quarterback Noah Grubbs.
After picking up his OU offer, Coleman wrote a thank you to his trainer on social media.
"Appreciate you coach! You manifested this when I was 12 when you bought me that OU hat," Coleman wrote in response to a social media post made by Trujillo.
With Jackson heading to Florida State, Coleman should take over as the team's primary star and could have a huge fall on the recruiting trail.
That is, if OU is unable to secure a commitment from the standout sophomore before his junior season starts.
Just one day after receiving an offer from Littrell, OUInsider reporter Parker Thune placed an official prediction that Coleman would end up choosing the Sooners.
If Brent Venables and company are able to land the fast-rising QB, it would be a massive addition to Oklahoma's 2026 recruiting class that currently boasts Cibolo Steele (TX) 4-star running back Jonathan Hatton.
Coleman told AllSooners that he and Hatton have a good relationship, and that he could see himself and Hatton as teammates down the line.
"I actually talk to him every day. Actually, I just got done talking to him right before I called you,” Coleman said. “After I posted the offer, I saw his Twitter, they told me he was already committed. I was like, ‘That dude’s going to be my teammate, I need to build a relationship with him.' ”
If Coleman does end up committing to OU, it would be Littrell's first quarterback pledge since taking over as the Sooners' offensive coordinator.
With former 5-star recruit Jackson Arnold set to start for Oklahoma this season, 4-star QB Michael Hawkins Jr. behind Arnold and 4-star gunslinger Kevin Sperry on board in the 2025 class, Coleman could continue what has been an impressive stretch of talent at the quarterback position for OU.
Additionally, the Florida native mentioned that he isn't concerned about the distance between Oklahoma and the Sunshine State, acknowledging that leaving home was part of playing college sports.
"I feel like (leaving home is) actually a nature to college, because you’re going to have to go away from home if you want to keep playing football,” Coleman said. “So yeah, I don’t really care about leaving Florida."
If the Sooners are able to make a good impression on Coleman at the team's Spring Game, OU could have its leader in the 2026 class on board early in the recruiting process.
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