Robert Quinn

OLB, DE · North Carolina
A two-time state heavyweight champion in high school, Quinn's biggest fight before arriving at Chapel Hill was recovering from brain surgery for a benign tumor in October of his senior season. Quinn said he was experiencing a lot headaches, and the final straw for his parents was a series of three blackouts. Quinn said he broke down sobbing when doctors initially told him of the tumor and that his football career was likely over. But after a strong recovery, Quinn said he hasn't had a headache since the surgery and gets an MRI about every six months. Cleared to resume his football career, "El Roy" wasted no time making an impact for the Tar Heels. Quinn took over the starting job the second game of his freshman season when Darrius Massenburg suffered a knee injury and went on to be named the ACC's Brian Piccolo Award winner as the league's most courageous player. He collected 34 tackles, 6.5 tackles for losses, two sacks and forced two fumbles in 12 starts. Quinn's career really began to take off with a first-team All-ACC sophomore season as he increased his impact plays. He finished 2009 with a league-high 19 tackles for loss and was second in the ACC with 11 sacks to go along with six forced fumbles. With Quinn's train apparently headed for even bigger stardom in 2010, his college career veered off the tracks when he got caught up in the agent scandal that rocked the UNC program. Quinn was suspended for the season by the NCAA, and he decided it was time to move on to the NFL. NFL scouts were able to grill Quinn about his role in the scandal during team interviews at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, while team doctors carefully researched his brain surgery. "The tumor really made me appreciate just the little things in life," Quinn said. "Don't take anything for granted. Live life to the fullest. And the suspension really made me mature and watch the people who come around me. If they're really in the best interest for me or what I can do for them or what they want from me. So really just watch my surroundings or people I bring around me."

strength

Improving in this area and has the frame to handle an additional 10-15 pounds of muscle without a significant loss in quickness or speed. Good, not great strength at the point of attack. Lacks the sand in his pants to hold up against the run, though he does wrench himself free when he has space to operate. Good strength to drag down the ballcarrier.

explosion

Perhaps his best asset. Can explode off the snap and fly by offensive tackles. Opponents have to gameplan around his burst off the edge. Good use of hands to pop the offensive lineman and shed the block. Arrives with a bang as a tackler. Forced eight fumbles in only two seasons.

tackling

Good lateral agility and balance to break down in space and make the open-field tackle. Generally wraps up, though he'll go for the strip and miss tackles. Only average instincts but gets to the football quickly when he locates it.

intangibles

Fluid athlete who appears capable of handling the transition to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Was occasionally asked to drop into coverage while at UNC. Despite his 2010 suspension, those close to the UNC program describe Quinn as a quality person and teammate and are endorsing him to NFL teams. Had his senior season at Ft. Dorchester High School shortened due to brain surgery to remove a benign tumor. Was originally told that the tumor and resulting surgery could end his football career. Has had no known complications following the surgery. Didn't start his first career game but did start the other 25 in his two seasons.

run defense

Too light to hold up at the point of attack on rushing plays designed to go directly at him. Possesses good upper-body strength and explosive hands to shed blocks, but can be engulfed and driven off the ball. Doesn't do a good enough job keeping contain, too often slicing inside and losing his gap integrity when he incorrectly judges the speed of the ballcarrier. Good lateral agility, flexibility and balance to change direction and pursue. Good straight-line speed and effort to pursue.

pass rush

Inconsistent off the snap. Is often among the last linemen off the ball, though he has such an explosive burst he can still beat the tackle with speed even when late and can leave his opponent grasping at air when he anticipates the snap correctly. Possesses a rare combination of burst and flexibility to dip under the reach of the tackle. Good agility and balance to turn the corner and has very good closing speed. Possesses a good rip move and the footwork to jab-step outside and cut back inside to split the gap; otherwise shows surprisingly little technique.

Combine: 4.62 40-yard dash; 22reps at 225 pounds; 34-inch vertical; 9'8" broad jump; 4.40 short shuttle; 7.13-cone drill.

SuperPrep All-America

Ranked the No. 7 player in South Carolina by SuperPrep

Member of South Carolina's Shrine Bowl team and the U.S. Army All-American Game

Member of recruiting analyst Tom Lemming's All-America team

Ranked the No. 3 player in South Carolina and the No. 18 strongside defensive end in the country by Rivals.com

Rated the No. 11 defensive end in the country by ESPN.com

Ranked the No. 19 defensive end in the country by Scout.com

Member of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100

Senior season was shortened after undergoing brain surgery for a benign tumor

Made a full recovery and will be able to resume his football career

Had 54 tackles and five sacks, 10 TFL and 21 quarterback hurries before the surgery

Coached by Steve LaPrad

Two-time defending state heavyweight champion.

Son of Maria and James Quinn

Born May 18, 1990

Nickname is "El Roy"

People say he looks like Cheeseburger Eddie from the movie "The Longest Yard"

Favorite TV shows are "Law & Order" and "House"

Listens to music before games

Would like to guest star on WWE

Would like to visit Puerto Rico

Favorite NFL team is the Dallas Cowboys

Enrolled in the General College.

Physical Attributes:

Proj Rd: 1.0
Height: 6-4
Weight: 265.0
Forty: 4.6
Arm: 10.125
Hand: 34.0
Wingspan: --

Pro Day Results:

Cone: 6.99
Bench: 24.0
Shuttle: 4.31
10: 1.64
20: 2.74
40: 4.6
BJ: 10'05"
VJ: 33.0

Combine Results:

Cone: 7.13
Bench: 22.0
Shuttle: 4.4
10: 1.61
20: 2.67
40: 4.62
BJ: 09'08"
VJ: 34.0