Shaquille Quarterman Bio
Shaquille Quarterman is an American professional football linebacker who has played in the National Football League since 2020. Born on October 28, 1997, in Orange Park, Florida, he emerged as a standout defender during his collegiate career at the University of Miami, where he earned multiple All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Quarterman in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and he has since built a reputation as a reliable and versatile linebacker across multiple NFL organizations.
Early Life and Background
Shaquille Quarterman grew up in Orange Park, Florida, where he attended Oakleaf High School. During his junior season with the Knights, he recorded 137 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. His outstanding performance earned him recognition as one of the top 10 inside linebacker recruits in the nation by ESPN, Scout.com, Rivals.com, and 247Sports, all of whom awarded him a four-star rating. He committed to play college football at the University of Miami during his junior year of high school.
As a senior at Oakleaf High School, Quarterman recorded 101 tackles and was named the Regional Defensive Player of the Year by The Florida Times-Union. He also participated in the All-America Bowl following the season. Over his entire high school career, he accumulated 412 tackles, including 23.5 for loss, along with six sacks, demonstrating his consistency and playmaking ability at the prep level.
Path to the NFL
Quarterman enrolled early at the University of Miami and immediately earned a starting position at inside linebacker for the Hurricanes going into his freshman season. He started all 13 games and finished second on the team with 84 tackles, including 10 for loss and three sacks. His impressive debut earned him third-team All-ACC honors from the league’s coaches and honorable mention recognition from the media. Additionally, he was named a freshman All-American by ESPN and Pro Football Focus.
His sophomore season saw continued success, as Quarterman again finished second on the team in tackles with 83, along with seven tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He earned second-team All-ACC recognition for his performance. During his junior year, he elevated his game further, recording 82 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception, two pass breakups, six quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery, which resulted in first-team All-ACC honors. After contemplating entering the 2019 NFL Draft, he chose to return to Miami for his senior season.
In his final collegiate year, Quarterman was named a preseason All-American by the Associated Press and received consideration for both the Butkus and Chuck Bednarik Awards. He recorded 107 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble, earning first-team All-ACC honors for the second consecutive year and solidifying his status as one of the premier linebackers in college football.
Shaquille Quarterman Career
Jacksonville Jaguars (2020–2023)
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Shaquille Quarterman in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 140th overall pick. He made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020, in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, primarily playing on special teams. Quarterman appeared in 13 games during his rookie season, contributing on defense and special teams before being placed on injured reserve in November 2020. He was activated from injured reserve in December 2020 and continued to develop his craft within the Jaguars’ defensive scheme.
Over his four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2020 to 2023, Quarterman served as a rotational linebacker and core special teams contributor. His tenure with the organization allowed him to gain valuable NFL experience and adapt to the speed and physicality of professional football. Throughout his career, he has accumulated 60 total tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery at the NFL level as of 2024.
2024 Team Transitions
Quarterman began the 2024 NFL season with significant roster movement. On August 5, 2024, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, though he was waived just six days later. He subsequently signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on August 12, 2024, but was released later that month and re-signed to the practice squad. He remained on the practice squad until October 9, 2024, when he was released.
On October 15, 2024, Quarterman joined the Carolina Panthers practice squad. He was released on October 29, 2024, before signing with the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad again on November 6, 2024. The Chargers promoted him to the active roster on November 16, 2024, giving him an opportunity to contribute on defense for the remainder of the season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Shaquille Quarterman is known for his physicality and instincts as an inside linebacker. His college career showcased his ability to diagnose plays quickly and fill running lanes, evidenced by his consistently high tackle totals at Miami. He demonstrates strong pursuit skills and the ability to disrupt plays in the backfield, as shown by his 15.5 tackles for loss during his senior season. His experience playing in multiple systems has allowed him to adapt his style to different defensive schemes and team needs throughout his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Quarterman’s most notable achievements remain his collegiate accomplishments, particularly his three consecutive All-ACC selections from 2017 to 2019, including two first-team honors. His 2019 senior season, in which he recorded 107 tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss, stands as a highlight of his football career. In the NFL, his milestone moments include his fourth-round draft selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars and his eventual promotion to the Los Angeles Chargers active roster in November 2024.
Shaquille Quarterman Career Wins
While Shaquille Quarterman’s professional career has focused on defensive contributions and special teams play rather than individual statistical accolades, his college career at the University of Miami produced numerous victories and honors. He played a key role in the Hurricanes’ defense during seasons that saw the program compete for conference championships and bowl game victories.
College Highlights
At the University of Miami, Quarterman earned first-team All-ACC honors in both 2018 and 2019, along with second-team recognition in 2017. He was named a freshman All-American during his debut season and received consideration for prestigious national awards such as the Butkus Award during his senior year. His 15.5 tackles for loss during the 2019 season represented the highest single-season total of his collegiate career and demonstrated his disruptive presence in opposing backfields.
Professional Achievements
Through his first four-plus seasons in the NFL, Quarterman has appeared in games with multiple teams, contributing primarily on special teams and as a rotational linebacker. His professional statistics include 60 total tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery as of the 2024 season. His ability to remain on NFL rosters through roster transactions reflects his value as a dependable depth player and special teams performer.
Shaquille Quarterman Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
While specific details about Shaquille Quarterman’s family background are not publicly available, his development as a football player was fostered during his upbringing in Orange Park, Florida. His success at Oakleaf High School and subsequent collegiate career at the University of Miami suggests a strong support system that enabled his athletic development throughout his youth and teenage years.
Personal Life
Shaquille Quarterman continues to pursue his professional football career as of 2024, having played for multiple NFL teams throughout the season. Born and raised in Orange Park, Florida, he maintains connections to his home state while continuing his football journey with the Los Angeles Chargers organization. Further details regarding his personal life remain private, as he focuses on his athletic career at the professional level.
2025 Season Performance
As Shaquille Quarterman enters the 2025 season, he will look to establish himself as a consistent contributor with the Los Angeles Chargers organization. Following his mid-season promotion to the active roster in late 2024, he enters the new season with an opportunity to compete for expanded defensive roles and playing time. The Chargers’ defensive scheme and coaching staff will likely determine his specific responsibilities heading into the campaign.
The linebacker position remains competitive across the NFL, and Quarterman’s ability to contribute on special teams while developing as a defensive player will be essential to his chances of making the final roster. His experience with multiple organizations in a short period demonstrates his resilience and adaptability, traits that will serve him well as he competes for a permanent spot on the Chargers’ roster.
Quarterman’s professional career trajectory suggests a player who has yet to reach his full potential at the NFL level. With continued development, improved technique, and opportunities within a stable defensive system, he could emerge as a more prominent contributor in the coming seasons. The 2025 season represents a critical juncture in his career as he works to solidify his role and demonstrate the consistency that characterized his collegiate performance at Miami.