Muschamp battling Miami for a talented linebacker

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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Nick de la Torre
A South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGC