Durability, production, and a motor that never stops. Three things that every NFL team wants in a linebacker prospect, and three things that Miami’s Shaquille Quarterman brings to the table.

One of the most experienced and productive linebackers in the 2020 NFL draft class, Quarterman recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his experience at the NFL Scouting Combine, why it was important for him to finish what he started at Miami, and what kind of player he’ll be at the next level.

JM: You had a great senior season. You posted 107 total tackles, 15.5 of which went for a loss. What is it about your game that lead to that sort of production?

SQ: I just think that my mentality was at such a high level this year. My coaches put me in such a great position to succeed. They’ve always put me in a position to be a successful linebacker. All I had to do was go out there and do it. I really have to give all praise to our coaching staff. They helped me prepare for this season.

JM: You made 52 starts without missing a single game. It’s amazing how durable you’ve been.

SQ: I honestly just listen to my mentors: Jon Beason, Jon Vilma and D.J. Williams. All three of them played the linebacker position at such a high level, and they’ve given me such great advice. They taught me the importance of taking care of your body. They showed me that longevity and being available is the key to success. I took their advice and I just ran with it.

JM: What was your experience like at the NFL Scouting Combine?

SQ: It was definitely interesting, to say the least. I really enjoyed it. It was a process, and there are parts of the process that were grueling, such as waiting around for hours at the hospital for the medical checks. I really enjoyed it, though. When it finally came time to compete, it felt a little like the recruitment process in high school. You’re just going out there alongside your peers and performing in front of all 32 teams. It gave me a chance to show that I belong.

JM: What do you think is the overall impression that you left out there?

SQ: I felt like I was well-received out there. There were a lot of people that weren’t giving me that much attention prior to the combine. We didn’t have a very good season, and that can sometimes lead to a guy getting overlooked. I feel like I showed up to every event and performed at a high level. I turned a lot of heads in the bench press.

I worked my hardest all the way until the end. I think my energy remained at a high level throughout the on-field drills, as well. I had a great time getting to know a lot of the coaches. There were so many great people there.

JM: Did you have a lot of formal interviews out there?

SQ: I had a couple of informals. I enjoyed them. I also met formally with the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants.

JM: That’s great. Do you have any private visits coming up?

SQ: I’m actually meeting with the Bills tomorrow (March 10th), and the Giants in early April. I’m taking a visit to Houston to meet with the Texans, as well. Those are the three that we currently have scheduled.

JM: What’s your favorite part about playing the linebacker position?

SQ: My favorite part about playing linebacker is definitely quieting the crowd down. You can do a lot of damage as a linebacker. Making a big play on defense really quiets the home crowd. I love that. If you’re playing on the road and force a turnover, that’s such a great feeling. The entire stadium minus our fans just stop making noise. They go dead silent. You can hear a pin drop. That’s such an amazing feeling. I just love making that impact on the game.

JM: What was the strangest question you were asked at the combine?

SQ: Truthfully, I didn’t really get any strange questions. Everything was straight forward. We just talked about our defense and football in general. I had talked to a bunch of my ex-teammates who have gone through the process and they told me about all the strange questions that they were asked. I didn’t get any though. I guess I’ve been well behaved (laughs).

JM: Who are some of the best players you’ve played against throughout your time at Miami?

SQ: Dalvin Cook definitely comes to mind. I really enjoyed playing against him. He’s such a great player. Jonathan Taylor was another one. Those two guys were a lot of fun to play against.

JM: You’ve had so many great teammates throughout your time at Miami, but if you were going into battle tomorrow and could only bring one with you, who would you bring and why?

SQ: Michael Pinckney. We’ve been together for four years straight. He means a lot to me. We came in at the same time. We’re actually from the same city. We got to finish what we started. It means that much more to us. I remember when I first got to Miami as a freshman, I was talking to an older player that told me you don’t always get to finish with who you started with. I started to realize over time that that was the honest truth.

Michael and I got to start and finish together. Michael and I stayed together through it all. We played side by side. We sat next to each other in the meeting room. We never switched it up. He’s definitely a special guy.

JM: When a team uses one of their draft picks on Shaquille Quarterman, what kind of guy are they getting?

SQ: They’re getting a guy that’s all about the team. I’m gonna follow the standard that’s set by the organization and represent them with a smile on my face. That’s what I did in high school, that’s what I’ve done at Miami and it’s what I’m gonna do at the next level as well. I’m dependable and accountable. I’m also a great football player at the end of the day. I’m all about the team. You can’t go wrong with drafting a guy like that.