Redskins WR Trey Quinn on path from ‘irrelevance’ to stardom

Redskins wide receiver Trey Quinn wasn’t even the most talented player on his own college team before being drafted as Mr. Irrelevant in 2018.  While his rookie year wasn’t highly productive due to injuries, Quinn is continuing his path from ‘irrelevance’ to stardom at training camp in Richmond.

Washington Redskins WR Trey Quinn has become a fan favorite for the burgundy and gold in such a short period of time. The former Southern Methodist University product has done nothing but stand out in one way or another since being selected as Mr. Irrelevant by the Redskins in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft.  Whatever the young receiver is doing, it is working, and those who follow the team are starting to take notice.

Coming out of SMU in Dallas, Texas, Trey Quinn wasn’t even the most talented player on his own college team. That honor would go to Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton.  While Quinn was pick No. 256, Sutton went No. 40 overall in the second round.  Sutton even had a better rookie year than Quinn, finishing with 42 receptions for 704 yds and four touchdowns.  Quinn only played three games in his rookie year, tallying nine receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown.  Sutton’s quarterback with the Broncos in 2018 was none other than current Redskins QB Case Keenum.

Trey Quinn has taken an interesting path since hearing his name called last in the 2018 NFL Draft.  Being a Louisiana native, the second-year WR started his college career in Baton Rouge at LSU.  He didn’t stay long before transferring to SMU, where he ended up excelling on the football field for the Mustangs.  In his junior, year he amassed 114 catches for 1236 yards and 13 touchdowns.  Quinn is the type of player the Redskins front office has been targeting in the draft the past few years: A player who works hard, produces when called upon, and loves the game of football.

In this year’s training camp, Quinn has shined, much to the liking of the team’s fans.  Several video highlights of him in camp have surfaced displaying his workmanlike attitude and ability to catch the football even when covered.  The coaching staff, including head coach Jay Gruden, already knows what they have in the player.  Per Rhiannon Walker of the Athletic, Gruden mentioned that Trey Quinn has the inside (or slot) position “pretty much locked down”.

Quinn did not produce much in 2018 because of injuries, but he did not disappoint with his potential.  His most famous moment came in the Redskins 31-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving day.  In the third quarter, with the Redskins trailing 10-7, Quinn caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from QB Colt McCoy.  Quinn then proceeded to do a celebration dance that got him into the national spotlight.  His dance was found out to be ‘The Scarn’ from the popular television show ‘The Office.’

In the 2019 campaign, if Quinn can stay healthy, he will have the ability to produce at a high level due to his uniquely strong hands and excellent route running abilities.  Along with tight end Jordan Reed, Quinn can provide confidence to any quarterback that steps behind center for the team from the slot.  He does not have the size of ex-college teammate Courtland Sutton, nor the speed and wiggle of ex-Redskins slot WR Jamison Crowder, but Quinn is the type of football player that would make former Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan blush.  Mr. Irrelevant is on the direct path to relevance, and the 2019 season should be his for the taking.