Jaguars' Shaquille Quarterman's Youth Football Camp at Oakleaf Draws Hundreds
The last time Shaquille Quarterman was on Oakleaf High School's practice field, things were a lot different.
Before, the only voices Quarterman heard on Oakleaf's field was the direction of coaches and encouragement from teammates. But on Saturday, Quarterman heard the cheers and jubilance of over 300 local children, with Quarterman returning to Oakleaf to hold a youth football camp.
"It was great. From the beginning and registration, people showing up early, to the kids, they were very -- not even compliant. They wanted to get to work. And it was a tough day. This wasn't just a regular camp," Quarterman told JaguarReport at the conclusion of the camp.
"We really took them through a full experience, the NFL experience, you know, and they did not back down. They didn't shy down. You know, I've seen a lot of kids pick it back up when they had to take a break and they did great. So it was just overall a success."
Quarterman was a star linebacker for the Oakleaf Knights from the first day he stepped on campus, starting as a freshman in 2012 and spending the next four years raising Oakleaf's profile as one of the top linebacker prospects in the country, eventually being named Regional Defensive Player of the Year and committing to the Miami Hurricanes.
Fast forward to 2023, and Quarterman is entering his fourth NFL season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, his hometown team. The kid that came up through the ranks and poured his blood, sweat and tears on Oakleaf's field had grown into a NFL veteran linebacker, one whose forced fumble vs. the Tennessee Titans and Derrick Henry just a year ago helped propel the Jaguars on their late-season run.
Now, Quarterman serves as the ultimate role model for kids from Jacksonville, Orange Park, and other neighboring towns. For those on the Oakleaf High School varsity team at the camp on Saturday, Quarterman is a shining example of what is possible through hard work. For those playing youth football, Quarterman is a bigger-than-life superhero they can look to on more days than NFL Sundays.
"For me, it brings a tear to my eyes, man," Quarterman said.
"Because I remember being that age and really needing and wanting something like this. So to see that same look in those kids' eyes, but the difference is they are smiling throughout the whole camp, they are thankful, they're grateful. And at that age, you can tell that it's something that they need, you know, and they value. So me being able to be a bright spot in a day, and hopefully for the rest of their days is awesome."
"It's awesome. You don't see it enough. You know, he is the hometown guy," Oakleaf head coach Chris Foy told JaguarReport on Saturday.
"And you know, I actually coached against him in that in that championship season they had, I was at Fletcher [High School at the time. And so I know exactly what kind of player he was and what kind of young man he is. So I don't expect anything less from Shaquille."
Quarterman wasn't alone at Oakleaf on Saturday. He was joined by fellow Jaguars Devin Lloyd and Dequan Jackson, a fellow Jacksonville native. He was also joined by a host of former high school teammates and coaches from around the area, with Quarterman bringing the community together in a way that isn't often seen at local camps.
"I've never seen such a turnout," Foy said. "Not just with kids and parents but coaches and ex-coaches and his teammates are here. So it shows you just what kind of guy he is."
"Man, that's love. There's no other way to explain it, man," Quarterman said.
"A lot of people, I didn't even have to call to come out here, man. A lot of people wanted to be here. Yeah, you know, a lot of people had a hand in what this community became to be. It wasn't just me, you know, so when, when they just even heard about it, the magnitude the people that reached out, it left me in awe."
Among those who gained the most from Quarterman's camp, though, were those who walk the same halls today that he once walked. Dozens of Oakleaf football players took part in Saturday's festivities, taking the lead of the first-ever Knight drafted into the NFL.
"It is inspirational," Oakleaf junior Khi May-Parker told JaguarReport.
"Seeing what position he is in, it makes me want to keep working hard, just seeing that someone from my school can go and be in the league and come back and help people in the community now."
"It means everything. You know, it's more than just seeing the championship year on the wall for them. It's more than, you know, the stuff he gives to the program and the uniforms because he's always given back to this program. It's real now. It's real," Foy said.
"They all got a little Shaq in them right now. And that's important. I've only been here since December, and I've seen an overwhelming response in a sense of community. And that's what Shaquille exemplifies."
