D3 offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz is making money at the Senior Bowl
The Senior Bowl is a great opportunity for all players to come in and prove themselves against top-tier competition. However, it is extra important for players who come from smaller schools. We have watched these prospects coming out of Power 5 schools face off against other draft prospects but guys coming from the FCS and lower levels simply have more to prove at this kind of an event.
Every year, there always seems to be a small school prospect or two who flies up the board with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl. Wisconsin-Whitewater offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz stands out as the guy who is making that rise this year.
Meinerz was a two-year starter at Wisconsin-Whitewater and a first-team All-American in 2019. Due to COVID, his team did not play the 2020 season but the time off has not hurt Meinerz a bit. He has gone under the radar as a 2021 NFL Draft prospect throughout most of the process but he is making his mark in Mobile.
Meinerz is the only Division III prospect at the Senior Bowl this year and he has been the talk of practice through the first two days. He has been lining up at both guard and center and is shining against high-level college interior rushers. Meinerz clearly plays with a mean streak, consistently looking to dominate his opponent and typically succeeding so far.
This dominant rep against Pittsburgh edge rusher Patrick Jones II received a ton of attention on Wednesday, and for good reason:
Wisc-Whitewater OG/C Quinn Meinerz continued his dominant play today.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 27, 2021
Lots of disrespect on this rep vs. Patrick Jones: Stuns w/ outside hand, feet stay balanced and knees bent through contact. And then he finishes.
Stock continuing to climb📈📈📈📈📈 pic.twitter.com/q1Skc8A580
Make no mistake about it, Quinn Meinerz is making himself a lot of money at the Senior Bowl this week. He entered the week as an interesting small school guy who was likely a late Day 3 pick. After seeing Meinerz shine against this level of competition, do not be surprised if he ends up being an early Day 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
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This rise feels ridiculously similar to Ali Marpet. Just like Meinerz, Marpet was a dominant Division III offensive lineman who showed up to the Senior Bowl and shined. He was taken in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has grown into one of the premier offensive guards in the entire league. Will Meinerz follow in the footsteps of Marpet? Only time will tell, but I sure am not going to be betting against this guy.