5 signees moving in; Quarterman takes epic trip
It was quite a weekend for Hurricane LB signee Shaquille Quarterman.
First he starred in the Army All-American game Saturday in San Antonio, Tex., as the East's leading tackler with six (three solo).
He was among the first recruits to hop in the car with his family afterward, beginning the long drive home to Jacksonville.
Sixteen hours later ... with some sleep in the back seat ... Quarterman arrived at his house. An early enrollee, he quickly packed up the car with his college stuff and then got right back in for another ride.
Another five-and-a-half-hours and he was scheduled to arrive on UM's campus just before 5 p.m. Sunday. That's just in time for a team meeting at 5.
"I'm the last one to get on campus," Quarterman told CaneSport just before arriving at UM. "Zach (McCloud) was the first one to move in. Pat Bethel moved in. Mike Pinckney has been in Miami since Friday, moved in yesterday. And Jack Allison has moved in."
McCloud says it was a no-brainer for him to graduate high school early and arrive on campus in time for spring practice.
"It's very beneficial," he said. "You come in early, get accustomed to stuff on the field, classes, getting started a semester early. Plus on the field you get used to the playbook as opposed to when regular freshmen come in and have to get ready for classes and jump right into practice. We have more room to learn."
Quarterman hopes to play right away at UM, and certainly his Army performance showed he can compete well against the best talent in the country.
"It was a great opportunity and a great measuring stick also," he said of the Army practices and game. "I always wanted to see where I measured up against the top athletes in my class. After yesterday I feel pretty good about where I am."
What makes him a great player?
"I think it's all about effort," Quarterman said. "Where I played in high school, that's what we prided ourselves on - even if you're not the biggest or strongest or fastest as long as you give 100 percent effort you can never be judged by giving your all. That sets me apart, I don't hesitate to go get the ball when the play's away from me as much as if it comes to me."
* Quarterman says he spoke with new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz yesterday for the first time.
"He sounds like a really good guy," Quarterman said. "We didn't get to talk very long but he said I should have the mentality that I have to fight for my playing time like anyone else, that I should not expect to ride the bench or even be on the bench. If I play right away is going to be based on how bad I want it."
* Quarterman's roommate in Texas was fellow commitment Tyler Byrd, who also starred in the game with an interception and blocked extra point he returned into the end zone.
"We didn't ask (to room together), it just happened that way," Quarterman said. "He's a great guy. Away from football he's a great friend to have and I'm glad to have him with me at Miami."