Trey Quinn doesn’t understand disbelievers.
He threw a no-hitter in the Little League World Series. And yet, college recruiters were more interested in his football skills.
Quinn set a national prep record in career receiving yards with 6,566 yards for Barbe High in Lake Charles, La. He scored 70 touchdowns with 23 alone his senior year along with 1,967 yards.
The golden ticket for every kid playing ball in Louisiana is an LSU scholarship. Quinn didn’t flinch when choosing his home state school over powerhouses Clemson and Auburn along with Texas. Unfortunately, LSU coaches didn’t believe in him. Despite playing as a true freshman, Quinn caught just 13 passes. With only five receptions as a sophomore, Quinn transferred to Southern Methodist University.
After sitting out one year, Quinn caught a nationally-leading 114 passes for 1,236 yards and 13 touchdowns.
And still the NFL didn’t believe. Well, maybe Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden, who advocated spending the last pick in the draft obtained earlier in a trade with Atlanta on the receiver.
Maybe Quinn is Mister Irrelevant to the rest of the nation that earns a trip to Disneyland along with a Rolex watch and Lowman Trophy. But, the seventh-rounder looked good enough in rookie camp on Friday to merit a serious look during the preseason.
Take that, talent evaluators that said Quinn might simply be a one-year college wonder. Quinn snorts in disbelief over how he came one selection away from not being drafted.
“I thought I was the best receiver in the damn draft,” he said.
Rookie practices are simple drills after only one day with the playbook. But there was Quinn catching balls in the slot where he’ll seek a role come fall. It all looked so simple, so natural even around the best players Quinn has ever seen.
“I’ve always wanted to be around elite athletes,” he said. “This is what I’ve put my life towards.”
Finding a role won’t be easy. Josh Doctson, Jamison Crowder and Paul Richardson have the top roles, but Gruden has always been willing to try young players. If Quinn can gain a special teams role, his chances of making the final 53 are fair.
“Anywhere they want me. Anywhere that’s an open spot, I’ll take it,” he said. “I’ll line up at running back or something. Special teams.”
So Quinn just stares down second-guessers over his chances this fall. He expects to make the roster.
“Absolutely,” said Quinn of his certainty. “You should, too.”
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter @Snide_Remarks.
