Shaquille Quarterman

Shaquille Quarterman's Biography

Shaquille “Shaq” Quarterman, born on October 28, 1997, is a noted American football player. He currently plays as a professional football linebacker for the renowned Carolina Panthers, a team of the distinguished National Football League (NFL). Prior to entering the NFL, Quarterman played college football at the University of Miami in Florida.

Quarterman comes from a humble background, with his roots tracing back to Orange Park, Florida. He attended high school at Oakleaf, where his knack for football first began to stand out. As a junior, he was a force to be reckoned with, posting an impressive tally of 137 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks for the Knights.

His remarkable talent on the field did not go unnoticed, with ESPN, Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports all rating him four stars, and listing him as one of the top 10 inside linebacker recruits in the country. His commitment to football remained steadfast, and he pledged to play college football at the University of Miami during his junior year.

Quarterman’s senior year saw him rise to greater heights, recording 101 tackles and receiving the esteemed title of Regional Defensive Player of the Year by The Florida Times-Union. His exceptional performance also earned him a place in the All-America Bowl following the season. On completing high school, Quarterman had an overall record of 412 tackles, of which 23.5 were for loss, as well as six sacks.

Upon joining the University of Miami, he was quick to establish his ground, and was named a starter at inside linebacker for the Hurricanes in his freshman season. Starting each of the 13 games, he scored second-highest on the team with 84 tackles, 10 of which were for loss, and three sacks. His performance did not go unrecognized, with the league’s coaches naming him the third-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and an honourable mention by the media. In recognition of his impressive freshman year, ESPN and Pro Football Focus named Quarterman a freshman All-American.

The ensuing year saw Quarterman, as a sophomore, once again finish second on the team with a commendable 83 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. He was bestowed with the title of second-team All-ACC after his successful season.

During his junior year, he was given the accolade of first-team All-ACC following a stellar season where he recorded 82 tackles, 14 of which were for loss, with six sacks, and one interception, among other stats. After the season, he considered bypassing his last NCAA season to participate in the 2019 NFL Draft, however, he eventually decided to return to Miami for his senior year.

As a senior, Quarterman began the season with heightened expectations, named a preseason All-American by the Associated Press and a number of other media outlets. His name also added onto the watchlists for the prestigious Butkus and Chuck Bednarik Awards. The talented linebacker finished the season with 107 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble, leading to him once again being named first-team All-ACC.

Quarterman made his major debut into professional football in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, being picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played his first official NFL game on September 13, 2020, in a season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, participating on special teams. Unfortunately, an injury led to him being placed on reserve in November, but he made a remarkable recovery and was back in action by December.

In later years, Quarterman signed briefly with the Philadelphia Eagles on August 5, 2024, but was waived within a week. He then signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on August 12, 2024, only to be released later the same month.

On October 15, 2024, Shaquille Quarterman found his current home with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad. His journey, detailed and intense, full of remarkable achievements, remains a testament to his dedication to the sport of football.