CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- The University of Miami's three starting linebackers, all freshmen, do pretty much everything together.
“We live together,” Mike Pinckney said. “Only thing we don’t do is go to class together.”
To which Shaq Quarterman interjected, “That’s probably a good thing.”
Quarterman, Miami’s freshman starting Mike linebacker, fittingly is in the middle. If these are the Three Stooges, he’s Moe. Coach Mark Richt calls Quarterman a leader in training, a freshman who has earned the respect of the guys around him.
To one side is Pinckney, the team’s freshman starting Will linebacker, the comic relief. On the other is Zach McCloud, the Hurricanes’ freshman Sam linebacker and the quiet one, if there is such a thing.
Normally, this would be a big issue for a team hoping to compete for a division title. Normally, the idea of starting three true freshman linebackers wouldn’t add up to a No. 10 ranking. But so far, none of that seems to matter.
Miami’s defense ranks second nationally in yards per play, ninth in yards per rush and second in points allowed.
“We dominated everybody,” Pinckney said.
Which, of course, is true. The problem, as Pinckney also is quick to point out, is that the Hurricanes’ schedule hasn’t exactly been difficult thus far.
But that’s not really an issue. The way Pinckney sees it, the opponent is inconsequential. It’s about Miami’s effort, about his effort, about the effort of his pals in the linebacking corps. In fact, the trio has a little inside joke going this season, calling every team they play “the Tigers.”
The Florida A&M Tigers scored three points against them.
The Florida Atlantic Tigers scored 10, and so did the Appalachian State Tigers.
Georgia Tech’s Tigers did a bit better, finding the end zone three times, but no matter. Miami still won handily.
And up next, on Saturday night, Miami’s archrivals.
“Florida State Tigers -- with a spear,” Pinckney said.
“Maybe Kittens,” McCloud laughed, a joke that sums up what this group is all about.
They’re young, they’re talented and, given Miami’s recent history against Florida State, they may be a bit overconfident.
“They don’t know that they don’t know,” Richt said. “They’re good dudes. They’re really good. But they don’t know. They haven’t really been hit in the mouth real hard yet. It’s coming. We’ll see how they react, how tough they are.”
Still, there’s a lot to like about this group, and it’s easy to see why they’re a confident crew.
While Georgia Tech’s offense won’t be their biggest test this season, the option scheme can create havoc for young linebackers. Miami’s trio handled it with ease.
Quarterman had eight tackles and a fumble recovery. Pinckney had four tackles, a sack and an interception. McCloud didn’t have a tackle, but he helped keep Georgia Tech under five yards per carry. All in all, a solid game in their first ACC test.
“They don’t all play their best in every game,” defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said. “They’re learning the grind of college football. But will they play fast? The answer to this point has been yes.”
There is, of course, a learning curve, and Quarterman admits the linebackers aren’t quite sure how far along that curve they are. But when the lessons get tough, it has been nice to have one another to lean upon.
Quarterman and Pinckney committed to Miami at the same time and became fast friends. McCloud joined the crew a year later, a bit more reluctant to join the madness.
“I didn’t know what to think of Mike,” McCloud joked. “He’s a sketchy character.”
All three enrolled early in January, moved in together, went through spring practice and offseason conditioning together. On more than a few days, they’d quite literally lean on one another to make it home after a particularly grueling workout.
“We were dragging each other back to the room,” Quarterman said. “I think that’s when we really jelled.”
The friendship can be a double-edged sword, of course. They tend to egg each other on -- asked who talks the most, McCloud and Pinckney point at each other, then burst out laughing -- and they’ll push one another’s buttons when they can.
“I don’t know if Mike’s the funniest,” McCloud said, “but I guess he does some funny things.”
And there’s that confidence. A freshman alone might cower in the back of a meeting room, be hesitant on the field. Put three of them together, however, and it’s a whole other story.
“They’re goofballs, but they’re really talented and good kids,” Richt said.
How long the good times last remains a big question for Miami. The trio of linebackers could well hold the key to the Canes’ defense, and in turn to their chances at a Coastal Division title -- and to their first win over Florida State since 2009.
And if those growing pains start to hurt a bit more than they have so far, well, they’ve got one another. There’s strength in numbers, and this is a strong unit.
“They're tight,” Richt said. “They're buddies. They believe in each other. They support each other.”
