Quarterman, Johnson earn preseason honors

The Miami Hurricanes continue to make their presence felt on the preseason accolades front.

Tuesday, defensive back Jaquan Johnson was selected to the Athlon Sports preseason first-team All-American team. Linebacker Shaq Quarterman was chosen to the third team.

A senior safety, Johnson led the Hurricanes with 96 tackles and tied for the team lead with four interceptions. Johnson, who decided to return for his final season instead of enter the NFL draft, has 160 tackles and six interceptions in his 39-game career. Last year he was named a secondteam All-American by Sports Illustrated.

A junior, Quarterman has started all 26 games since his arrival. Last year he was second on the team with 83 tackles, including seven for losses. He also had 2.5 sacks.

Quarterman and Johnson join center Tyler Gauthier as Hurricanes to earn preseason honors. Gauthier was placed on the “watch list” for the Rimington Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top center.

The Hurricanes open preseason camp in August. Last year they won the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference, finishing 13th in the final Associated Press poll under coach Mark Richt.

UM, which ended last season on a three-game losing streak and fell to Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl, opens the season Sept 2 against LSU in Dallas.