Fourth-round winner: Miami Hurricanes LB Shaq Quarterman drafted by Jacksonville Jaguars
Anyone who truly knows former University of Miami linebacker great Shaq Quarterman figured he’d be returning for his senior season, even before he was approached about it.
Quarterman is the quintessential Miami Hurricane, the most loyal of the loyal. He’s the man who forever works hard, produced abundantly and was thoughtful and respectful and classy no matter what the circumstance — whether that be during his finest moments or his most heartbreaking.
On Saturday, Quarterman likely added grateful to his long list of admirable traits after the Jacksonville Jaguars chose him in the fourth round — the 140th player taken overall —in the NFL Draft. He became the first Hurricane drafted in 2020, as the NFL made the announcement at about 1:50 p.m.
Quarterman is from Orange Park, a suburb of Jacksonville, so he’s staying home.
Four-year dominator
Quarterman, 6-0 and 234 pounds, came to UM from Orange Park Oakleaf High in 2016 and dominated this past season for a Canes team that disappointed with a 6-7 record. He had a team-high 107 tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss, earning All-ACC first-team honors from the Associated Press and the league. He finished a stellar career with 356 tackles, good for ninth place in Miami history.
In 2019, Quarterman had five pass breakups, seven quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.
He finished his career with 356 tackles, 46.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, one interception, 14 pass deflections, two forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and even a touchdown.
But among his most impressive accolades, Quarterman, despite significant shoulders injuries along the way, is the only Hurricane to ever start 52 games of his collegiate career without missing a single start.
Iron Man Shaq
“He doesn’t want to come out of the game,’’ UM coach Manny Diaz said of Quarterman toward the end of the season. “His conditioning level is as good as any player I’ve ever seen — certainly at the linebacker position. His ability to empty the tank and then somehow find the wherewithal and energy to reload it for the next play and continue to play at a high level is extraordinary.”
And when the season ended with UM’s upset loss to Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl, the two walked off the stadium, arms draped around each other’s shoulder.
“I’m a Cane for life, will always be,’’ said Quarterman, who had to pause for several seconds after the bowl to hold back tears when describing the moment. “I will be at every game I can be next year, but that moment, just a lot of people won’t understand it.
“Everybody has high aspirations, especially we did, and it’s a disappointment. When you set goals and don’t reach them, that’s as clear cut as it can be. It’s a disappointment, but it’s not a regret.”
When asked about his legacy, Quarterman said he hoped that one day he would be added to a poster “in the linebacker room with all the greats’’ such as “Ray Lewis, Jon Beason, Jon Vilma and D.J. Williams.’’
“I just want to belong,’’ Quarterman said. “I want to be put up there because I deserve to be there. I did what I was supposed to do. I held up to the standard and I held the chain. I didn’t let it break while I was here. If they put me on that list, I might cry. That’s all I need. That’s my legacy right there.’’
Now, a new chapter begins.
This story was originally published April 25, 2020 at 1:58 PM.
