If all goes according to plan, Orange Park (FL) Oakleaf High School Class of 2016 LB and Cane commitment Shaquille Quarterman plans to be on UM's campus about a year from now.
"I'm trying to gradate early - I'm already working toward it," he said. "By the end of this year everything should be locked in."
Quarterman's former teammate, Darrion Owens, did the same thing when he became a Cane.
"Darrion, we stay in touch," Quarterman said. "He told me it's a matter of getting stronger, faster and even smarter in the game (to succeed in college). He told me it's a complete step forward from high school football, that everyone has your size, that the key is having better technique."
Quarterman says he talks "often" with Hurricane coach Hurlie Brown.
"It's great to talk to him," Quarterman said. "He asks about my family, it's not always about the X's and O's. I can't wait for him to coach me, teach me what he knows about the game."
Quarterman says he plans to take five official visits next year, and he says Auburn and Florida will be two of those.
"I'm not sure of the other ones," he said.
He adds that "I'm solid with Miami definitely."
Of what he likes about the Cane program, Quarterman said, "Just the tradition they have there, and the coaching staff they have and the players - they have everything there. I feel Miami's the perfect place for me. I love their defensive scheme and it feels like home."
So what went wrong for UM this year?
"They had a true freshman quarterback who did real well, but there are many games lost on certain big plays," Quarterman said. "They just have to work on doing the little things right."
He adds that "down the road they can be a great team, a championship team like they used to be, and I see them doing that."
"I'm trying to gradate early - I'm already working toward it," he said. "By the end of this year everything should be locked in."
Quarterman's former teammate, Darrion Owens, did the same thing when he became a Cane.
"Darrion, we stay in touch," Quarterman said. "He told me it's a matter of getting stronger, faster and even smarter in the game (to succeed in college). He told me it's a complete step forward from high school football, that everyone has your size, that the key is having better technique."
Quarterman says he talks "often" with Hurricane coach Hurlie Brown.
"It's great to talk to him," Quarterman said. "He asks about my family, it's not always about the X's and O's. I can't wait for him to coach me, teach me what he knows about the game."
Quarterman says he plans to take five official visits next year, and he says Auburn and Florida will be two of those.
"I'm not sure of the other ones," he said.
He adds that "I'm solid with Miami definitely."
Of what he likes about the Cane program, Quarterman said, "Just the tradition they have there, and the coaching staff they have and the players - they have everything there. I feel Miami's the perfect place for me. I love their defensive scheme and it feels like home."
So what went wrong for UM this year?
"They had a true freshman quarterback who did real well, but there are many games lost on certain big plays," Quarterman said. "They just have to work on doing the little things right."
He adds that "down the road they can be a great team, a championship team like they used to be, and I see them doing that."
