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Coach’s Take: Recent 2027 Miami Hurricanes Commitment DeMarcus DeRoche Is ‘A Coach’s Dream’

by: Luke Chaney08/20/25LChaney_
DeMarcus DeRoche
Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons junior athlete DeMarcus DeRoche is ranked No. 133 overall in the country in the class of 2027. (Rivals)

2027 Cardinal Gibbon (Fla.) athlete DeMarcus DeRoche committed to the Miami Hurricanes on Tuesday night. Despite being listed as a wide receiver, the 6-foot-6, 200-pound DeRoche has the ability to play almost anywhere on the field.

To learn more about this local athletic specimen, CaneSport caught up with Cardinal Gibbons head coach Matt Dubuc, who raved about DeRoche’s Swiss Army knife ability.

“You don’t see guys that can typically line up at end, and then next thing you know, line up at linebacker. Next thing you know, he’s lined up as a slot, and you can line him up as an outside receiver. There’s not much he can’t do on the field,” Dubuc said. “Miami is going to get somebody, once they decide what he can play at the next level, who is going to be a pretty dangerous dude.”

ANALYSIS : New commit DeMarcus DeRoche can be the Swiss Army Knife of Miami Hurricanes 2027 recruiting class

DeRoche transferred to Cardinal Gibbons from Boyd Anderson (Fla.). As a sophomore with the Cobras, DeRoche caught 10 passes for 165 yards and totaled 11 tackles, five sacks, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble, according to MaxPreps. 

Dubuc plans on utilizing DeRoche in a similarly versatile way in 2025.

“We’re going to line him up in the red zone as a receiver. We might put him on somebody’s best [defensive back] in the red zone,” Dubuc said. “We might bring him off the edge and pressure as an outside linebacker, and the only thing he probably won’t do is play quarterback or offensive line.”

In addition to football, DeRoche is a star on the basketball court and runs the 200-meter dash in track. 

“He’s not a robot. Some guys look the part, but are very robotic. He’s not like that. He knows how to use his body, probably because of basketball. He’s got a long stride, maybe because of track,” Dubuc said. “He’s a guy that if you were going to go play in the backyard, he’s your first pick.”

As for his personality, Dubuc praised DeRoche’s humble attitude and commitment to his craft. He’s excited for the type of player and competitor that Miami is getting with DeRoche.

“Yes sir, no sir, very humble, not demanding, just wants to do his job, go out there and be part of the team. He’s really a coach’s dream,” Dubuc said. “I think [the Hurricanes are] going to get a guy that, even though he’s a big target and a good looking body and all that, I think they’re going to get a great grinder, a guy that’s willing to do anything, put his hand in the dirt to getting out on the edge and getting a go ball. Very unselfish is probably the best thing I could say about him.”

DeRoche makes his Cardinal Gibbons debut on Thursday, Aug. 21, against Archbishop McCarthy (Fla.).

CaneSport’s Take:

As DeRoche continues to put on more weight and add muscle, we think he’ll slot in as an edge rusher at the collegiate level, but he definitely has the fluidity to play tight end. His development will be fun to follow. The Hurricanes are getting a raw yet extremely gifted football player with DeRoche.

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