Miami’s Jaquan Johnson answers a question during a news conference at the NCAA Atlantic Coast Conference college football media day in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
The preseason love for the Hurricanes continues … on defense.
Running back Travis Homer #24 of the Miami Hurricanes tries to get around the tackle of linebacker Matthew Thomas #6 of the Florida State Seminoles during the second half of an NCAA football game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
Miami Hurricanes linebacker Shaquille Quarterman (55) with Miami defensive coordinator Manny Diaz during opening day of Miami Hurricanes football practice in Coral Gables on Thursday, August 4, 2016.
CORAL GABLES — Linebackers Zach McCloud, Michael Pinckney and Shaquille Quarterman are listed as true freshmen, but don’t tell them that.
“I mean we aren’t freshmen, really. We’re just players,” Pinckney said Tuesday when asked what it’s like to play next to two other freshman linebackers. “The way we look at it, man, we’re just players out there trying to dominate and trying beat everybody else.”
There is one Miami Hurricanes tradition in particular that has freshman linebacker Shaquille Quarterman excited for the team’s season opener.
Jerrell Mabry (41), Darryl Sharpton (50) and Ross Abramson (86) run onto the field, through the smoke, before a game against Virginia Tech at the Orange Bowl Nov. 4, 2006. Running through the smoke before games is what Miami freshman Shaquille Quarterman is looking forward to the most. (Getty Images)
“Running through the smoke, that’s always been a dream,” Quarterman said. “I hear so many rumors about it, it just puts you in a whole different mode for the game. Running through the smoke is going to be very exciting.
“I heard that it gives you a type of energy. You may think you’re ready to go for the game, but as you run through the smoke, it’s a whole different setting.”
Quarterman and other freshmen spent time at the Hurricanes’ media day Monday talking about what they were excited for when the season starts on Sept. 3. And they all expect Miami to return to its former glory during their time in Coral Gables.
“It’s an honor to play here,” freshman defensive end Joe Jackson said. “I think we’re going to do something really great.”
“We’re trying to bring that back, by fighting on as a team, by going competitively every rep,” defensive back Malek Young said. “Our name’s going to be in some peoples’ mouths this year.”