JACKSONVILLE – Josiah Scott cared little for details.
"My goal was just to get in the league," the former Michigan State cornerback said.
Mission accomplished.
"Now, it's time to stay in the league," he said.
The Jaguars selected Scott No. 137 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft Saturday, three selections before they took Miami linebacker Shaq Quarterman – a pair of leadership-oriented players who will add immediate depth to the back seven of the Jaguars' defense.
Jaguars Director of College Scouting Mark Ellenz discussed both fourth-round selections in a videoconference Saturday, describing the players in similar veins.
Ellenz on Scott: "He's a productive kid, tough. He has all the qualities we're looking for in a player."
Ellenz on Quarterman: "He's all about football – alpha male, leader, highly productive."
Quarterman, a two-time first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection and one-time second-team All-ACC selection in four years as a starter at Miami, played locally at Oakleaf High School in Orange Park.
"I think that's more just kind of a coincidence deal," Ellenz said. "It wouldn't matter if he wasn't from here. It's a bonus that he is because he's a quality kid and a really good football player. This kid's a four-year starter, real productive, smart, tough. All about ball.
"He's the kind of guy they don't mess with there. He's been running the show since he was a freshman."
Quarterman (6-feet-0, 234 pounds) finished this past season with 107 tackles, 15.5 for loss, one sack and one forced fumble. Ellenz said Quarterman's personality is such that he can lead even without being an immediate starter.
"This kid's presence and his passion for football – you can be a backup and still have a leadership role," Ellenz said. "This kid's makeup is really good."
He registered 76.5 tackles for a loss in college.
"He's a very instinctive player," Ellenz said. "He's a knowledgeable player. He finds the ball quickly."
Quarterman said being selected in Round 4 didn't bother him because he had to work in a similar fashion in high school and when arriving at Miami.
"The same thing happened out of high school," he said. "I had to come in as a freshman, put my head down and just put my work toward the plow. And I ended up all right. I became the leader that I was. I did the same thing at the University of Miami. My freshman year, I came in and put my head down and ended up starting for four years.
"I'm not changing much. I just want to help my team to the utmost."
Ellenz called Scott "really athletic, with really good quickness and speed. He ran well at the combine, which verified what we saw on the film. He's not the biggest kid, but he's tough."
Scott (5-feet-9, 185 pounds) was an ESPN freshman All-America selection. He played in 30 career games – all starts at corner – and finished his career with 98 tackles, 25 passes defended and seven interceptions.
Ellenz said Scott will compete for a nickel role and on special teams. And like Quarterman, Scott said where he was selected mattered not nearly as much as being drafted and getting the opportunity.
"That's kind of been my mindset the entire time," Scott said. "When you leave college early, you never know what to expect. I never filed for a grade. I was betting on myself. Going in the fourth round's good with me. Now, it's time to work.
"There's really not much to it with me. I'm ready to work and I'm excited."
