Friday Night Lights is the biggest recruiting camp that the Florida Gators hold each offseason. While most of the attention is focused on the big name rising seniors, many underclassmen also attend the event and begin to build relationship with the coaching staff.
Recent University of Miami commit Shaquille Quarterman (6-1, 237, Orange Park, FL Oakleaf) was in attendance last Friday. Quarterman has been around the country participating in camps the past two weeks but he says Friday Night Lights has a different flavor to it.
“It’s always great to come out here and compete. That’s what Florida’s known for, to me,” he said. “The stature of competition here is always great. I went to the Auburn camp and the night before I went to the Georgia camp but I can honestly say that working out here is more of a test than working out over there against Alabama competition and Georgia competition.”
A rising junior, Quarterman has a long way to go before he has to make a final decision on where he will attend school. He pulled the trigger early and committed to Miami because of an opportunity he saw in the classroom as well as growing up a Miami fan.
“They offered everything that I wanted. Such as, academically, a major that I wanted they offer it,” said Quarterman. “Not only do they offer it but they’re one of the best at that. Ive always been a Miami fan growing up; I’ve been a diehard Canes fan since I was wee high, so it made it a little easier.”
It’s uncommon for a kid from Central Florida to grow up a Canes fan but recruiting prospects that grew up fans of a rival school is just part of the job in recruiting. Even though Quarterman is committed, he knows that there is a lot of time before he will sign a national letter of intent and just wants to keep enjoying the process. As far as this year goes, he’ll be looking for something very specific from the Gators.
“Yeah, I’m looking at that,” Quarterman said of how the team performs on the field this season. “I’m looking at the type of linebackers that they’re recruiting so I know where I stand.”
Quarterman listed Miami, Auburn and Florida has the three schools that are leading his recruitment now, and he plans to visit all three schools this season.
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