NFL Draft: Former Basketball Player Quinten Rollins Translating Game to Football Field

Sep 13, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jehu Chesson (86) is tackled by Miami (Oh) Redhawks defensive back Quinten Rollins (2) at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

There are always a couple of stories about players from other sports making the transition to the football field in college, but none seem to have such early or quick success as that of Quinten Rollins at Miami, Ohio.

Rollins is currently second in the country with four interceptions on the season, but there’s something more to his story — he hasn’t played football since high school. A senior guard on the Red Hawks’ basketball team, Rollins signed up to play safety this fall and has earned himself some legitimate NFL publicity thanks to notching four interceptions in three games.

What’s ironic about his basketball playing career at Miami is that he was known for stealing the basketball away, notching two games with seven steals (that’s a lot) in his college career.

Rollins has plenty of opportunity left to impress NFL scouts. He is finished with his college basketball career, but he can certainly find a future in football. At 6’1″ 203 pounds, he has pretty good size for a defensive back and becomes a really intriguing prospect with basketball athleticism and a nose for taking away the ball.

So far this season, he has also notched 18 tackles and four pass breakups, so you know he’s not just a one-trick pony.

In high school, Rollins was named the Co-Athlete of the Year in football and was a four-year letterman. He probably could have played college football all four years but opted to play basketball. He approached the university about playing football this year, and they reviewed his film and gave him a shot.

With freakish athletic ability and clearly a natural gift for playing the game, this is a sleeper prospect that scouts won’t be sleeping on much longer. Learn this kid’s name, because he’s probably going to become one of the most intriguing defensive back prospects in the country as the season progresses.