UM’s Shaq Quarterman is named one of ESPN’s top 50 players.

CORAL GABLES — Hurricanes junior linebacker Shaq Quarterman is one of Miami’s top leaders, both on the field and in the locker room.

He’s also, according to ESPN, one of the 50 best players in the nation.

Quarterman, a secondteam All-ACC selction, on Monday took the No. 48 spot on the network’s preseason list of the top 50 players in college football.

He was the only Hurricane to earn a spot on the list, with ESPN describing Quarterman as having “the potential for an All-America type season.”

Last fall, Quarterman was a second-team All-ACC selection after finishing second among Miami defenders with 83 tackles. He has started all 26 games the Hurricanes have played since he arrived at Miami, was voted a preseason All-ACC selection and is on the preseason watch list for both the Butkus Award and the Bednarik Award.

He is also a player the Hurricanes may have to find themselves recruiting to stay in Miami. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. listed Quarterman the No. 2 linebacker prospect among underclassmen eligible for the NFL draft.

Quarterman says his focus is squarely on the season ahead — not his future in the NFL and beyond.

“I don’t think about the end of the season. [Defensive coordinator Manny] Diaz likes to say, I don’t know if he likes me saying it, but you don’t worry about the guy with the gun when there’s a guy with a knife right in front of you,” Quarterman said. “I’m focused on LSU, playing them in Dallas. That’s what I’m focused on right now.”

While Quarterman was the only Hurricane to appear on ESPN’s top player rankings, several players Miami will face this season — or could face this season — made the list.

Florida State running back Cam Akers, who rushed for 1,024 yards last season to set a new Seminoles freshman record, was ranked No. 21, while LSU linebacker Devin White was No. 27. FSU cornerback Levonta Taylor was No. 34 on the list, Boston College running back AJ Dillon was No. 36 and LSU corner Greedy Williams took the No. 37 spot.

Clemson, the reigning ACC champion and the preseason team picked to face the Hurricanes in this year’s conference championship game, had five players appear on the list.

They included defensive end Christian Wilkins (No. 4), defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (No. 5), defensive end Clelin Ferrell (No. 12), defensive end Austin Bryant (No. 24) and wide receiver Tee Higgins (No. 40).