Blocking tight ends rarely get the media attention that they deserve, but with quality pass protection and drive blocking at a premium in the National Football League, Quinn's prowess in the trenches has not gone unnoticed by the scouts that have spent quite a bit of time reviewing his game film. With so many NFL tight ends basically pass catchers, a player that performs like an offensive lineman at that position could have a long career ahead of him.

"Big Rich," as his teammates call him, grew up hoping to one day be another Jerry Rice. Mom's home cooking and dad's gene pool quickly eliminated that thought by the time he got to Maple Heights High School, where he grew into becoming the 15th-ranked tight end in the country, according to Rivals.com.

Quinn was also a member of Super Prep's All-Midwest Team. The two-time All-Conference and All-District selection led his team to a 10-2 record and a berth in the playoffs as a senior. Named the team offensive MVP, he recorded 32 catches for 468 yards and 10 touchdowns that year, adding 12 receptions for 254 yards and one touchdown as a junior.

With his size and frame, the Maple Heights High basketball coach recruited him for his team in 2004. In his only season on the hardwood court, he led the conference in rebounds. Prior to enrolling at Maple Heights as a junior, he played two seasons of football at Butler High School, located in Huntsville, Alabama.

Quinn enrolled at the University of North Carolina in January, 2005. He took part in spring drills, going on to play in nine games that season. He saw the bulk of his playing time on special teams, recording one solo tackle vs. Maryland. Scheduled to start in 2006, he suffered a right shoulder blade fracture a week before the season opener vs. Rutgers. Expected to miss three months, the coaching staff decided to grant him a medical hardship.

With Butch Davis having taken over as the Tar Heels' head coach, the offense changed dramatically in 2007. Davis used a lot of multiple receiver formations, relegating the tight ends to mostly blocking chores. Quinn started seven of 12 games, as he caught just four passes for 27 yards (6.8 avg) and a touchdown. He continued to excel on special teams, even returning three short kickoffs for 39 yards. He also displayed solid blocking skills, grading 84.7 percent for blocking consistency.

As a junior, Quinn was named All-American honorable mention by Scout.com. He started all but the Virginia Tech game at tight end, as he collected eight passes for 97 yards (12.1 avg) and one touchdown. He led the team with an 85.5 percent grade for blocking consistency and produced 11 touchdown-resulting blocks in the process.

GENERAL REPORT: GRADE: 6.40

Body Structure: Quinn has a well-built frame with a proportionately athletic body. He has room on his frame to carry at least another 15 pounds of bulk and displays good upper and lower body muscle definition. He has large hands, long wingspan and good thigh and calf thickness.

Athletic Ability: Quinn is a good athlete with fluid motions and above average balance. He may lack the foot speed to gain acceleration or generate a sudden burst, but does show adequate movement skills upfield. He has a good vertical jump and does a nice job of timing his leaps and extending for the high passes. He runs with a smooth stride and shows adequate change of direction agility when blocking for the ground game into the second level, but lacks the suddenness or quick feet to gain separation after the catch. GRADE: 6.6

Football Sense: Quinn is a good student who is quick to learn and retain plays. He has very good football instincts, showing urgency getting into his routes and stalking linebackers to block when working in space. He learns and retains plays well and will not have problems dealing with the mental aspect of the game. GRADE: 6.5

Character: Quinn is a mature athlete who comes from a supportive family and shows very good responsibility. He is a good student who is compliant and says the right things. He is well-respected by his teammates and coaches, honoring with being one of the team captains for the 2008 season. GRADE: 6.3

Competitiveness: Quinn is very tough and aggressive as a blocker. He shows a determined attitude to compete and generates good strength to combat the defenders in the trenches. He's the type of guy that will stick his nose in the pile and one that will not hesitate to get very physical with his opponent. GRADE: 6.4

Work Habits: Quinn is one of the team's hardest workers. He is not the type that needs stroking by the coaching staff in order to perform and has no problems with hard coaching. He responds well to criticism and will do whatever it takes to improve his play. He worked hard to rehabilitate from his 2006 fractured shoulder blade and is the type that will play until the whistle. GRADE: 6.2

ATHLETIC REPORT: GRADE: 6.12

Release: Quinn releases cleanly off the line, using his size and reach to keep defenders at bay. He is very active with his hands and has the power to run through the jam. He has good eyes reading the zone and does a nice job of sitting down in the soft spots. He shows only adequate foot speed in his route. While he does not have a sudden burst on his release, he runs with a normal stride once he gets into his patterns. GRADE: 6.5

Acceleration: Quinn comes off the ball aggressively and consistently gains advantage by using his size to power through. He is an effective inside and short-area receiver, as he shows good timing and ability to catch the ball in traffic. However, he is not a deep threat due to a lack of speed. GRADE: 5.8

Quickness: Quinn shows short-area quickness and once he gets into his routes he runs with a normal stride, but lacks explosion. He compensates by using his strength and hands to push off the defenders at the line of scrimmage. He is best when used on control and inside patterns, as he has above average lateral agility to quickly gain position. GRADE: 5.6

Route Running: Quinn does not run crisp patterns in the short area, using his power to combat defenders when going across the line of scrimmage. He is effective settling in the zone, using his size to shield the ball from the defender, but his timed speed is adequate at best. He shows good body control adjusting to the ball in flight, but had limited opportunities at UNC to display his soft, natural hands. GRADE: 5.3

Separation Ability: Quinn will struggle to separate upfield, but is effective going across the field and operating in the hook/curl zones. He needs to be crisper coming out of his breaks, as he rounds his cuts often (does not make square cuts). GRADE: 5.2

Ball Concentration: Quinn is a very tough player over the middle of the field. He squares his shoulders, secures the ball, stays low in his pads and drives hard with his legs to gain yardage after the catch. He maintains good focus on the ball and is alert to get back to help when the quarterback is flushed out of the pocket. Nothing will prevent this guy from getting to the passes thrown directly at him, but he needs to refine his footwork, as he will take too many soft angle cuts. GRADE: 6.4

Ball Adjustment: Quinn has not really had many opportunities to show if he can get downfield and adjust to the ball in flight, as he is used more on controlled routes, hooks and curls. He has at least adequate body control, but is not a quick-twitch type of athlete. He makes good body adjustments going for the ball, especially staying at a proper pad level to scoop up the low throws. He is a good jumper, showing proper reach and pluck agility. He will sacrifice his body and take the hit to get to the pass at its high point, relying more on his pinpoint timing that a pure leap. GRADE: 5.7

Leaping Ability: Quinn is a former basketball player with good timing and leaping ability. He has the wingspan and reach to get to the ball at the high point. He is a quick leaper who knows how to plant and jump to get better extension. GRADE: 6.5

Hands: Quinn has large, soft hands and does a nice job of looking the ball in. His punch and hand placement are very effective when blocking, doing a nice job of locking on and steering his man wide from the play. The offensive system that UNC uses relegates the tight end to mostly dump-off and safety valve duties as a receiver. He has large mitts for hands, settles in the zone nicely, does a good job of selling his short-area routes and will secure the ball before turning upfield. He can easily catch the low ball and you will never see him fumble. He can extend for the ball well, but has not had a chance to show if he can catch with his back to the quarterback. GRADE: 6.4

Run After the Catch: Because of so few receptions past the short area, he has not provided scouts with a chance to see him run with the ball. GRADE: N/A

Blocking Ability: Quinn is an aggressive in-line blocker with good initial quickness and hip snap on contact. He shows good overall technique with his hand placement and works to finish, consistently sustaining his blocks. For the running game, he gets to the second level well, doing a nice job of fitting in space. He will consistently position and wall off the defender, showing above average leg drive and hand punch to sustain when blocking in-line. He faces up with size and power when blocking downfield. Just look at the job he did blocking for the ground game vs. Georgia Tech in 2008. He will stalk, wall off and finish with lots of power behind his hand jolt. GRADE: 7.8

Compares To: JOHN OWENS, Seattle -- Quinn is the unquestioned best that this tight end draft crop has to offer as far as blocking ability goes. He has had limited opportunities as a pass catcher and has just adequate timed speed. He will never be the type that will stretch the field and his receiving skills might never develop, but having him on the field is akin to playing with six offensive linemen.

OVERALL GRADE: 6.17

--Report by Dave-Te' Thomas

Quinn started 19 of 34 games at North Carolina, catching 12 passes for 124 yards (10.3 avg) and two touchdowns … Gained 37 yards on four kickoff returns (9.3 avg) and recorded two solo tackles … Registered 139 knockdowns, 18 touchdown-resulting blocks and 18 downfield blocks, grading 85.08 percent for blocking consistency.

Super Sleeper Team selection by The NFL Draft Report … All-American honorable mention by Scout.com … Started all but the Virginia Tech game at tight end … Gained 97 yards on eight receptions (12.1 avg), including one touchdown … Recovered an onside kick for a 2-yard loss and made one solo tackle … Graded 85.46 percent for blocking consistency, as he delivered 78 knockdowns, eleven touchdown-resulting blocks and ten blocks down field.

McNeese State … Quinn registered no receptions in North Carolina's 35-27 win over McNeese State, but collected six knockdowns, redirecting up the middle of the line to flatten defensive end Kenton Alleyne on a fourth quarter 5-yard touchdown ruin by tailback Greg Little, as the team generated 384 yards.

Rutgers … The tight end shoved defensive end Jamaal Westerman to the ground as receiver Brandon Tate took a reverse 12 yards around the right side for a third quarter 12-yard scoring scamper … Early in the fourth quarter, on 1st-&-goal from Rutgers' 6-yard line, Quinn was flagged for a 10-yard holding penalty during Shaun Draughn's 5-yard run to the goal line, backing up the Tar Heels' offense.

Virginia Tech … The North Carolina tight end recorded no receptions in the Tar Heels' narrow 20-17 loss to Virginia Tech, but made the Martin brothers pay dearly on a 50-yard touchdown run by Greg Little, taking down big brother Orion at the line of scrimmage and then chop blocked younger brother Cam down field to clear away the final obstacle on the UNC tailback's scoring burst (Cam would leave the game with an ankle sprain on the play).

Miami … Quinn caught two passes for 24 yards in North Carolina's 28-24 comeback victory over the Hurricanes … Near the end of the first quarter, Quinn caught a 10-yard pass, his first catch of the season and fifth of his career, from quarterback Mike Paulus for a first down … At the 5:07 mark in the second quarter, the North Carolina tight end hauled in a 14-yard toss from quarterback Cameron Sexton at the Tar Heels' 35-yard line.

Connecticut … The North Carolina offense was penalized 5 yards when Quinn was flagged for a false start on second down at the Tar Heels' 38-yard line … He made up for that miscue by upending rush end Cody Brown on a 1-yard touchdown run by tailback Ryan Houston late in the first quarter.

Notre Dame … Quinn caught one pass for 15 yards in North Carolina's 29-24 win over the Fighting Irish … In the third quarter, North Carolina quarterback Cameron Sexton completed a 15-yard pass to Quinn, who picked up a first down at the Notre Dame 15-yard line.

Virginia … Quinn caught one pass for 4 yards and made one tackle in the Tar Heels' 16-13 overtime loss to Virginia … On a drive that started at the 2:20 mark in the first quarter, Quinn tackled Virginia's Byron Glaspy after the safety picked off North Carolina QB Cameron Sexton at the Cavaliers' 17-yard line and returned the interception 35 yards … In the second quarter, on 3rd-&-10 from the Tar Heels' 48-yard line, Quinn caught a 4-yard pass from Sexton to move the ball into Virginia territory, but the tight end was unable to convert the first down.

Boston College … Quinn contributed one catch for 7 yards to North Carolina's 45-24 win over No. 23 Boston College … At the end of the first quarter, Quinn dropped a first-down pass from Tar Heel quarterback Cameron Sexton … Just before halftime, Sexton completed a 7-yard pass to the North Carolina tight end, moving the ball into Eagle territory.

Georgia Tech … Though Quinn registered no receptions in North Carolina's 28-7 victory over Georgia Tech, head coach Butch Davis acknowledged the tight end's contribution to the Tar Heels' 186 rushing yards, saying, "On the keys to running the ball well: Certainly the running backs are part of it, but the offensive line, Richard Quinn, Bobby Rome the fullback … you've got to give them certainly some credit." … Quinn produced a season-high eight knockdowns … In the fourth quarter, he cleared a path used by tailback Ryan Houston for a 2-yard touchdown run, as the tight end locked on and drove defensive end Michael Johnson eight yards off the line of scrimmage … On UNC's next drive, he joined with fullback Bobby Rome to drive Johnson into linebacker Anthony Barnes, resulting in a 3-yard scoring scamper by Houston.

North Carolina State … Quinn had a forgettable performance vs. N.C. State, failing to come up with a third-down pass in the red zone and losing a fumble during a kickoff return in the second half in the Tar Heels' disappointing 41-10 loss to the Wolfpack … Early in the second quarter, on 3rd-&-10 from the N.C. State 19-yard line, North Carolina T.J. Yates' pass to Quinn fell incomplete, forcing the Tar Heels to settle for a 37-yard field goal … At the 1:19 mark in the third quarter, Quinn fielded a kickoff from N.C. State's Bradley Pierson, returning it 6 yards before the ball was knocked loose by J.C. Neal, who recovered it at the North Carolina 21-yard line. On the next play, N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson completed a 21-yard touchdown toss to wide receiver Owen Spencer to increase the Wolfpack's lead to 31-10.

Duke … Quinn caught two passes for 42 yards and one touchdown in North Carolina's 28-20 victory over their biggest rival, Duke … The touchdown, a 32-yarder, was the second of Quinn's career and his longest play from scrimmage as a Tar Heel … His 42 receiving yards also marked a career high … In the second quarter, the Tar Heel tight end hauled in a 10-yard pass from quarterback T.J. Yates for a first down at the North Carolina 42 … With 1:16 remaining in the third quarter, Yates found Quinn open for the 32-yard score, hitting the tight end in stride to increase the Tar Heels' lead to 28-20 … Near the end of the game, on 3rd-&-11 from the Duke 36-yard line, Yates threw incomplete to Quinn, forcing the Tar Heels to punt on fourth down.

West Virginia (Meineke Car Care Bowl) … Quinn finished his North Carolina career with one catch for 5 yards in the Tar Heels' narrow 31-30 loss to West Virginia in the Meineke Car Care Bowl … In the third quarter, QB T.J. Yates hid behind Quinn, as the tight end clobbered linebacker Pat Lazear on the UNC passer's 4-yard bootleg for a touchdown that ended an 8-play, 62-yard drive … At the start of the fourth quarter, on 3rd-&-10 from the North Carolina 41-yard line, Yates, while feeling pressure by WVU's Cody Nutter, threw incomplete to Quinn, forcing North Carolina's punting unit on to the field … Later in the quarter, Quinn hauled in a 5-yard pass from Yates at the North Carolina 35, setting up a third-and-short.

Quinn appeared in all twelve games, starting at tight end vs. James Madison, East Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Miami, South Carolina and Wake Forest … Caught four passes for 27 yards (6.8 avg) and one touchdown … Gained 39 yards on three kickoff returns (13.0 avg) … Collected 61 knockdowns and seven touchdown-resulting blocks, finishing with an 85.67 percent blocking consistency grade.

Quinn's first career reception was a 2-yard touchdown vs. Virginia … Added an 11-yard grab vs. Miami and returned a kickoff 19 yards in the South Carolina clash … Pulled in a 6-yard pass vs. Wake Forest, followed by an 8-yard gain off a screen pass in a 16-13 decision over Maryland … Gained 20 yards on a pair of short kickoff returns vs. Georgia Tech.

Missed the entire season after fracturing his shoulder blade in fall practice (8/29), a week prior to the season opener vs. Rutgers.

The reserve tight end enrolled at North Carolina in January, 2005 and participated in spring drills … Played in nine games, seeing action mostly on special teams … Recorded one tackle on special teams vs. Maryland.

2006: Missed the entire season after he fractured his right shoulder blade in a final practice (8/29) in August camp before the season opener.

Combine: 4.88 in the 40-yard dash … 1.62 10-yard dash … 2.84 20-yard dash … 4.62 20-yard shuttle … 7.53 three-cone drill … 32.5-inch vertical jump … 9'11" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 24 times.

Attended Maple Heights (Ohio) High School as a junior and senior, playing football for head coach Jeff Rotsky … Rated the 15th-best tight end in the country by Rivals.com … Member of Super Prep's All-Midwest Team … Two-time All-Conference and All-District selection … Led his team to a 10-2 record and a berth in the playoffs as a senior … The team offensive MVP recorded 32 catches for 468 yards and 10 touchdowns that year, adding 12 receptions for 254 yards and one touchdown as a junior … Also lettered in basketball as a senior, leading the conference in rebounds … Spent his freshman and sophomore seasons playing football at Butler High School, located in Huntsville, Alabama.

Exercise and Sports Science major … Son of Yolanda and Richard Quinn, Sr. … Born Richard Emanuel Quinn, Jr. on 9/06/86 … Resides in Maple Heights, Ohio.