Pali High football’s starting wide receiver junior Demare Dezeurn recently committed to the University of Oklahoma–whose football team is currently ranked number eight in the country–which he will be attending in the fall of 2027. 

Dezeurn has a four-star rating and is ranked No. 15 as a wide receiver nationally and No. 9 overall in California, according to 247 Sports.

Dezeurn said he chose to commit to Oklahoma because of the culture and environment of the school itself.

“I want to be developed as a man, not just as a football player,” Dezeurn said. “The culture around Oklahoma is second to none.”

Dezeurn has been playing football for 10 years, since he was 7 years old. A key part of his training is running track to build his speed, which he said he considers one of his biggest strengths.

According to Athletic Net, Dezeurn has set records for his speed, including the national freshman record in the 60-meter dash and the second fastest time in California in the 100-meter dash. 

Pali Varsity Football Head Coach Dylen Smith agreed with Dezeurn about the advantages to his speed: “His greatest strength is definitely his speed. He’s explosive to make a good play.”

Off the field, Dezeurn said he works to improve his performance during games by studying his opponents.

“I see what they like to do, then see what I need to do to get open and make plays,” he said.

Dezeurn said one of his goals is to play professional football in the National Football League (NFL) like many Oklahoma alums: “The ultimate goal is always to reach the NFL.”

Outside of football, Dezeurn said that he aspires to maintain good grades and to become a business owner in the future. 

“[I want] to be the greatest I can always be. Beyond football [I want] to have my own business or have my own real estate firm,” Dezeurn said.

Smith explained that what truly sets Dezeurn apart from the other players is his work ethic.

“Every rep he does is full speed. [He] doesn’t take any plays off or any jobs off. He never gives me any pushback, he’s always super hard-working,” he said.

Smith added that Dezeurn also serves as a role model to other players on the team, including junior Zain Agustin, a wide receiver for Pali’s junior varsity football team.

“Demare is just super fast,” Agustin said. “When I’m training, I just think that I want to be as fast as Demare.”