Miami vs. Florida: Top 2020 NFL Draft prospects to watch
5. Shaquille Quarterman, LB (Miami)
Around this time last year, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper had Miami linebacker Shaquille Quarterman as his No. 2 inside linebacker prospect. With that type of hype, 2019 was thought to be Quarterman’s final season with the Hurricanes. Of course, he returned to school and now has the opportunity to grow further as a player.
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Pro Bowl linebacker and former Hurricane Jon Beason has worked closely with Quarterman, per the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and the other linebackers. Quarterman is built like a truck, measuring in at 6-1, 240 pounds. He’s not unlike Beason in regards to their similar size and instincts with.
Quarterman lives behind the line of scrimmage thanks to his ability to blitz and fight through contact. He’s dropped a few passes but has shown the ability to drop into coverage as well. Still, he’s not the elite cover guy to warrant the distinction of being called versatile. That’s an area where he hopes to improve in 2019.
Nevertheless, he’s an ideal fit as a take-on linebacker in any system. A team running a 3-4 or hybrid could use Quarterman’s services. If he can show improved hands and ability to stack and shed an elite level, he could become a lock as a top 100 prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft.