2019 NFL Draft: Scouting Miami linebacker Shaquille Quarterman
As a new college football season begins, the Miami Hurricanes defense will be led by linebacker Shaquille Quarterman, a 2019 NFL Draft prospect to watch.
Shaquille Quarterman is arguably the most valuable player on the Miami Hurricanes defense and a 2019 NFL Draft prospect that everyone should keep an eye on. In fact, ESPN’s Mel Kiper has him ranked as his No. 2 inside linebacker prospect in this class.
Quarterman is also on the watchlist for two of college football prestigious awards, the Butkus and Bednarik Awards.
While that’s all great, let’s take a look at what the linebacker could bring to the NFL game.
What Shaq Quarterman does well
Shaq Quarterman brings size and durability to the linebacker position. He’s a 6-1, 240-pound Inside linebacker who has started every game since becoming a Hurricane. As a freshman, he totaled 84 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. In his sophomore campaign, he followed up with 83 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
He’s known for being a general on the field, the voice of the Hurricanes defense. Quarterman is a vocal leader with high energy and a non-stop motor. He shows on film as a downhill backer who shows no fear when taking on offensive lineman and plays with aggression, crashing down hard on plays.
When the play is going away from him, he has the speed and short-area quickness to make a play. Moreover, he’s a solid blitzer who gets skinny up the middle. Quarterman isn’t bothered by trash and does a solid job getting around it. He scrapes down the line and displays a nose for the ball.
In pass coverage, he’s effective in zone. He moves quick making sharp cuts and does a solid job playing the ball. Quarterman is an every-down linebacker with scheme versatility.
What he can improve on
Quarterman has the tendency to dip his shoulder and crash into offensive lineman. When he does, he takes his eyes off the play, essentially preventing himself from making a play on the running back.
He must learn to use his hands more and extend his arms to stack and shed, in addition to keeping his head and eyes up. Quarterman needs to slow down as well — he plays too fast and runs himself out of plays. He can also break down more and wrap up, as he had a few missed tackles, especially against Clemson.
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Overall outlook
If Quarterman can show that he’s able to stack and shed and tackle more consistently, he’ll be a late first-, early second-round pick. Right now, it appears his best fit is at strong-side linebacker in a 4-3. If a 4-3 team wants him inside, he’ll have to be kept clean. He’s also a solid fit as the take on backer in a 3-4 defense. He reminds me of Avery Williamson, newly of the New York Jets.