Quarterman and McCloud looking to build on first season

Quarterman and McCloud looking to build on first season

Peter Ariz
Peter Ariz
Miami's three standout freshman linebackers were one of the top storylines from the 2016 season.

Shaq Quarterman, Mike Pinckney, and Zach McCloud led what turned out to be an explosive and reliable core who thrived in Manny Diaz's scheme. Year two brings a new perspective for the group after a season of experience.

"It's paying off big-time. We get to learn at a better pace because we know the basics and know we can get to the ins-and-outs," McCloud said. "We get to be more comfortable because we're more familiar with the calls and everything. We pay attention more to the small details that we couldn't really focus on last year."

"Knowing the playbook more and all the time I've put into it, it definitely feels like I can play more freely," Quarterman said.

Miami brings in freshman linebacker Bradley Jennings, Jr. who McCloud said is already assimilating well into the bunch. Waynmon Steed is on campus but still recovering from a knee injury, while DeAndre Wilder arrives in the summer. McCloud however, is focused on improving is own game.

"My biggest competitor is myself. I watch film every day and the stat sheet and try to make sure those numbers are going up and the negative numbers are going down," he said.

Even with the taste of success last season, the group is lined up to take another step forward in their sophomore season.

"As a unit, we want to keep up with the standard that we've decided to live by," Quarterman explained.

"With the guys that played in the past, we have a standard we have to play towards. We're not there yet, but we'll get there," McCloud said.
 

Comments (44)

[MENTION=3894]Peter Ariz[/MENTION]

Is Owens ready to keep the 3rd LB spot, or will Pinckney get it back?
 
[MENTION=3894]Peter Ariz[/MENTION]

Is Owens ready to keep the 3rd LB spot, or will Pinckney get it back?

No chance Pinckney loses that spot. But I think Owens could work his way back into the rotation if he shows progress with the knee.
 
When it's all said and done, these three will end up as one of the best linebacker cores in the history of college football!
 
[video=youtube;Qw5OwgDtFNs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw5OwgDtFNs[/video]
 
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[MENTION=3894]Peter Ariz[/MENTION]

Is Owens ready to keep the 3rd LB spot, or will Pinckney get it back?

Owens was never a starter. Pickney started the entire season.
 
[MENTION=3894]Peter Ariz[/MENTION]

Is Owens ready to keep the 3rd LB spot, or will Pinckney get it back?

No chance Pinckney loses that spot. But I think Owens could work his way back into the rotation if he shows progress with the knee.

Thanks for the response.

Hopefully, Owens adds quality depth!
 
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The transformation of the front seven in about 18 months is truly remarkable. :U5PyXda:
 
Pinckney is out for the first half of the Bethune game right?
 
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[MENTION=3894]Peter Ariz[/MENTION]

Is Owens ready to keep the 3rd LB spot, or will Pinckney get it back?

Owens was never a starter. Pickney started the entire season.

Owens was getting 1st team reps on Tuesday with Shaq and McCloud. Pinckney was with the 2s.

Sounds like the staff trying to tame the young bull a little bit. Similar to when they took away his press privileges after he mouthed off before the GT game (which I loved).
 
[MENTION=3894]Peter Ariz[/MENTION]

Is Owens ready to keep the 3rd LB spot, or will Pinckney get it back?

Only way Owens takes Pinckney's job is if Pinckney somehow gets decapitated between now and September. Even then, I'd give headless Pinckney a slight edge.
 
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@Peter Ariz

Is Owens ready to keep the 3rd LB spot, or will Pinckney get it back?

Owens was never a starter. Pickney started the entire season.

Owens was getting 1st team reps on Tuesday with Shaq and McCloud. Pinckney was with the 2s.
It's called getting guys work...

Newcomers & guys who were injured last year are all getting 1st team reps, to see of they're healthy, in shape & up to game speed.

It doesn't mean he's going to be the starter, just because he's getting some reps with the 1st team.

It's literally the 2nd Spring practice of the year, the Staff hasn't even decided on the Depth chart yet.
I can guarantee you Pinckney will be the starting WLB come Week 1.
 
Y'all crack me up.

Donaldson practicing with the 1s ... It's because he's gonna be a starter.

Owens practicing with the 1s ... It's just because he's getting work.

Thanks to the guys who reminded me about Pinckney's suspension for the 1st half because of his targeting call. I had forgotten about that, and it makes sense.

So, yeah ... Owens will likely be starting Game 1.

And, no ... He likely won't be holding the spot beyond that.
 
Don't sleep on Owens. Before the injury, he was our best LB after Grace. If he is full go and back to form, he'll see as many reps as the other 3 regardless of if he's "4th man" or whatever. The competition will be great for all of them, so it is only a good sign that he's running with the 1s.
 
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