Name: Robert Quinn
Position: Defensive End
Number: 94
College: North Carolina
From: Ladson, South Carolina
High School Career: At Fort Dorchester High in South Carolina, Quinn earned high school All American honors and played in the U.S. Army All American game following his senior season…He was rated the No. 11 defensive end in the nation by ESPN.com coming out of high school and chose North Carolina over the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida and Tennessee…As a junior, Quinn posted 89 tackles and 11 sacks…senior year was shortened by injuries but he still finished with 54 tackles, five sacks and 10 tackles for loss before season-ending surgery…Was also a two-time state champion wrestler in the heavyweight division.
College Career: Was a dynamic pass rusher for the Tar Heels, racking up 86 tackles, 13 sacks, 25.5 tackles for loss ad eight forced fumbles in just 25 games… Had a breakthrough season in 2009 when he was first team All Atlantic Coast Conference as he finished second for the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award…While only a sophomore, he posted 52 tackles and 11 sacks in 13 games starting at right defensive end…That season had him on the preseason watch lists for nearly every major defensive award in 2010…Quinn was suspended by the NCAA for the 2010 season after taking improper benefits…Is often compared to former Tar Heel defensive end Julius Peppers.
Need to Know: Quinn was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor on which he had surgery in 2007. He has played with the tumor since with no signs of any lingering effects and has regular check ups on the condition.
He Said It:
“Of course, with it being six months or so now, missing games and out of practice. I’m like anybody, practice makes perfect. Of course, I don’t think it will be that hard to knock it off,” Quinn said during draft weekend.
They Said It:
“We didn’t really think there would be much of a chance to be there at (No.) 14. We had a good group of guys right up to the end, a pool of players that we would have been happy with. It was kind of like (LT Rodger) Saffold was last year, quite honestly. The grade we had on Quinn was significantly higher than the other players in the pool, so it wound up being a really easy decision. He made a great impression with the people in the building and it just seems like a real good fit, so we’re thrilled to have the guy,” Rams GM Billy Devaney said of Quinn.
“It’s going to take a little while. I think any young guy takes a little while, depending on the position. But I think we’re fortunate in that we do have some defensive ends that can help him out. He’s got a little bit of time and when he’s ready to go, he’ll be thrown in there. But we just think the quality of the player was…we were very fortunate to get,” Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo on Quinn’s timetable of development.
Outlook: Spagnuolo’s defense is based on the idea of creating and generating relentless, consistent pressure on the quarterback. That’s Quinn’s specialty so while he might not start right away as he learns to become a complete player from the likes of Chris Long and James Hall, Quinn will likely jump in right away in passing situations with the specific instructions to get after the quarterback.
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