Two springs ago, Shaquille Quarterman, Michael Pinckney and Zach McCloud were trying to make the quick adjustment to college football.
As early enrollee freshmen working their way through spring drills, they were looking to keep pace, impress their coaches and work their way into potential starting jobs.
Months later, the trio made history, becoming the first group of true freshmen to start at linebacker for the Hurricanes.
These days, as the veterans of Miami’s defense, the group is being called on to provide more than big hits between the lines.
With the Hurricanes’ defensive line undergoing massive changes after the graduations of Chad Thomas and Trent Harris and the departures of RJ McIntosh and Kendrick Norton — both of whom opted to bypass their senior years to enter the NFL draft — Miami defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is counting on his group of veteran linebackers to give the Hurricanes stability and strength up front.