BigDikCane
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Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is pleased with the leadership that has emerged on the defense going into the 2017 season.
Diaz told The Joe Rose Show on 560 WQAM that there is leadership on every level of the defense.
“One difference we are seeing from a year ago is that last year anything that had to be corrected had to come from us,” Diaz said. “Now, we are on the way out to make a correction and the player is already on the way to do it. The pack mentality is already taking over. The pack is starting to correct the pack. That is something you have to have to really be great.
In the secondary, Miami is led by junior safety Jaquan Johnson.
“We are getting great leadership from Jaquan Johnson,” Diaz said. “He has become the veteran back there and he has done a great job of leading the guys.”
Sophomore linebacker Shaquille Quarterman has also grown into being more of a vocal leader for the entire defense in his second season.
“You can see the transformation,” Diaz said. “He has had the respect of the locker room since he has been here, but you can tell now that his ability to grab the microphone and get in front of some guys and challenge some guys is really changing.”
Diaz mentioned senior Chad Thomas as the player on the defense line who has done a nice job of being more of a leader.