Linebacker Shaquill Quarterman has been one of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ standouts during the preseason. As a rookie in 2020, he appeared in 12 games but he didn’t make much of an impact, totaling just six tackles.
But the new coaching staff has clearly been pleased with his progress this offseason. His play during camp was one of the primary reasons the team felt comfortable trading linebacker Joe Schobert, and now Quarterman is likely to see a much bigger role than he did in 2020.
Quarterman said that one of the guys he’ll be playing behind, star linebacker Myles Jack, has been helpful during his development. He said that Jack has been like a mentor to him since he joined his hometown team. Quarterman is an Orange Park native and graduate of Oakleaf High School.
“Myles [Jack] has been a very big help in my process and becoming a Jaguar,” Quarterman said. “He’s the first person I go to for any type of advice since I got the call that I was coming back home. He is really showing me how things are done as a pro, and I really appreciate that. I’ve gotten a chance to hang out with Myles, get to know him outside of just the building, and I really do appreciate him as a savvy vet taking me underneath his wing.”
For his part, Jack is just following the blueprint that was set for him. According to Quarterman, longtime Jacksonville linebacker Paul Posluszny played the same role with Jack when he was coming into the league.
“He’s definitely mentioned how Poz used to run things and the things that he’s been able to learn from him,” Quarterman said. “The big brother program, he’s really seeing how it’s affected him and his transition into the league and him just becoming who he’s been and being a great linebacker. So, him seeing that in me and trying to teach me the same things, it means a lot.”
Quarterman totaled 14 tackles in the preseason, and he will likely be the first linebacker off the bench to spell starters Jack and Damien Wilson. The former fifth-round pick out of Miami is expected to do big things in an increased role in 2021.