NE Florida News

Dallan “Deebo” Coleman has made his decision. The star 6-6 shooting guard has signed a letter of intent to enroll at Georgia Tech in the fall of 2021.

Coleman had narrowed his choices to Texas Tech, Old Miss and Georgia Tech before announcing on Oct. 28 he would join the Yellowjackets. 

“I’m excited, I’m committed, I’m ready to get there,” he said in a social media post. “Go Yellowjackets.”

Coach Ran Coleman | Twitter

The Callahan (Florida) West Nassau County senior is ranked as the 11th best shooting guard and 67th best prospect in the country by 247Sports.com.

Ran Coleman, his father and head coach, told NE Florida News it’s been an unusual process because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This recruitment has been different than previous years since coaches couldn’t come off campus to recruit,” he said. “Sometimes Deebo was doing three to five Zoom calls a day at about 45 minutes to one hour each. Most coaches were very respectful about time and asking when were good times to call or text.”

Coach Coleman said he tells his players to appreciate the fact that college programs are interested in them.

“Don’t take it for granted and value the position you’re in,” he said. “Explore what you want from a school, don’t get caught up with name of school, go where you can see yourself being a student there first. Keep a tight circle.”

Coleman said coaches can best serve their players by telling the truth.

“You can actually help universities recruit your players by being honest about the player (height, weaknesses, character); if you are not credible, that will spread quickly amongst the college ranks,” he said. “Maintain relationships, don’t burn bridges.”

The process can have its ups and downs, Coleman said.

“Coaches don’t always return emails, calls, texts when you are trying to reach out to them about players, but that’s the nature of the beast,” he said. “I’m sure they receive tons of calls.”

West Nassau High School Athletic Director Randalyn Bryant said interest in Deebo Coleman has been high for some time.

“Deebo is by far the most heavily recruited athlete we have had come through West Nassau, and he was already deep into the process when he moved here as a freshman,” Bryant said. “I did have a softball player a few years ago that had several schools after her, but not of the same notoriety as Deebo.”

Bryant, also the school’s head softball coach, told NE Florida News the pressure can be overwhelming for a high school student.

“I think student-athletes get too caught up in the ‘D1 or bust attitude,’” she said. “The realistic goal should be to get your education paid for. Such a small percentage of athletes make it to the professional level, and at the end of the day, a degree should be what you are aiming for. I think they feel pressured to attend a big name school, when they should find a school they can be successful at in the classroom and on the court/field.

“As an athlete, you have to get out of bed every morning and do the work ... find somewhere that you can be both happy and successful.”

Bryant said she tells students to talk to others who have experienced the transition from high school to college.

“I always advise our student-athletes to find someone who has been there,” she said. “In our small town we have a lot of people that want to tell them what they should do, but have never lived the life of a college student-athlete. I think you should find someone who has been where you want to go, and take their advice.

“I understand family is important, but I think you also need a realistic view,” she said. “I also always advise them to go away from home. Callahan will be here when you get back. Go away for at least a year and give it a shot.”

Bryant said universities could improve recruiting by doing a little more homework.

“I always think that universities and/or coaches should take the time to talk to the high school coaches,” she said. “I respect travel ball coaches, but having a child every day in a school setting is a totally different view. If your livelihood depends on this child you are recruiting, then I would invest a little more time in finding out what the kid is like on a daily basis.”

Bryant has advice for students who are not heavily recruited. It’s up to them to create interest, she said.

“This day and age you have to sell yourself. Camps are really the best option for coaches to see you in person and in the smallest group,” Bryant said. “I know social media is huge right now, but if you have a list of your top five schools, then I suggest you find a way to attend one of their camps. It gives you an opportunity to see the campus, get in front of the coach, and see if it is a good fit for you.”

Coach Coleman said he encourages players to not get caught up in the hype or get discouraged if they fail to immediately receive scholarships offers.

“Don’t give up, keeping working hard, reach out to schools and coaches, create any highlights through media outlets that could help you reach schools, remember it doesn’t take a lot of schools ... just one school,” he said. “Parents, family members, previous coaches, trainers can all be advocates for the student-athletes.”

Bryant admits to a “love/hate relationship” with social media.

“I do feel like it can serve its purpose, but I also feel like it has sucked culture out of some teams,” she said. “Win or lose, all kids care about these days is if they have enough highlights to post to social media. It has created a very selfish culture and eliminated the whole we win as a team and lose as a team concept.

“It is beneficial to college coaches that cannot be there to watch the athletes in person, but it has created a whole new issue for high school coaches. It is a double-edged sword,” Bryant said. “While I do want our student-athletes to move on to the next level if that is their goal, it also pains me to see a highlight tape from a loss posted the next morning.”