Dre Quinn

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-4, 228 lbs. Taller than 54% and heavier than 36% of 2026 Edge Rusher prospects in the SEC Scouts database (169 with a listed size).

Play Style

He is an upfield, penetrating rusher who wins with his get-off and reach. On passing downs he'd rather beat blockers to the edge than bull-rush them, and his motor shows up in his tackle totals from chasing plays down the line. He takes a lot of snaps inside at the 3-tech, where his quickness against guards creates pressure even when he doesn't finish. He is a pressure creator more than a sack finisher. The pressure-to-sack gap is the main thing to improve on film. He also played some tight end at Greater Atlanta Christian (7 catches for 129 yards as a junior, per 247), which fits the body control he shows as a rusher.

Strengths

• First-step explosiveness and length. 247's Andrew Ivins called him an 'explosive defensive end with all the ingredients to bake into a game-wrecker,' and he pressured quarterbacks steadily (21 QB hurries as a senior, per 247).
• Positional flexibility. He played both the 3-tech and the 5-tech at Buford, so he can rush from a two-point stance on the edge or slide inside on passing downs.
• High motor and pursuit production. 247 credits him with 92 tackles and 15 TFL as a senior (Ohio State's bio lists 71 tackles and 10 TFL), which reflects backside pursuit and effort, not just rushing the passer.
• Gained weight quickly. Going from 223 to 245 lb in one offseason at Ohio State without a reported loss of burst shows he can add strength, which speeds up when he could see the field.
• Tested against top competition. He played for Georgia's highest-classification programs (Greater Atlanta Christian, then Buford) and drew roughly 38-40 offers, with Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Texas as his finalists.

Areas to Improve

• Turning pressure into sacks. Ivins specifically noted that 'the pressure rate doesn't match the sack total.' He had 5 sacks against 21 hurries (247), or 2 sacks against 14 hurries (Ohio State bio). He needs a counter move and a better finishing angle at the quarterback.
• A deeper pass-rush plan. He wins mostly with his first step and length right now. At the Big Ten level he needs a dependable second move (long-arm to rip, inside counter) and better hand timing against longer offensive tackles.
• Holding the point against the run at his new weight. As a 5-tech in a 3-4 he needs to keep his pad level low and set the edge against double teams, especially while he adjusts to carrying 245+ lb.

College Projection

He is a true freshman rotational/depth defensive end at Ohio State in 2026, with no verified college stats yet. In a deep, talent-heavy defensive line room, expect a limited role this year, likely special teams and scattered snaps, with a possible redshirt under the four-game rule. A realistic path is rotational pass rusher in 2027 and competing for a starting spot in 2028 once his weight settles around 250-260 lb and his rush plan develops.

NFL Outlook

247 projects him as a Day 3 pick (rounds 4-7) and compares him to Bradyn Swinson. His combination of length and burst gives him a higher ceiling if the sack numbers catch up to his pressure rate. His draft stock depends on whether Ohio State turns him from a pressure creator into a finisher, and the 2027-28 seasons are the key window.

Best Fit

An attacking, one-gap front that lets him rush upfield from a wide technique on early downs and move inside to the 3-tech on passing downs. That's a good match for Ohio State's multiple four-man front and for the 3-4 flexibility he showed at Buford. A program with a strong strength staff and a defensive line coach who teaches pass-rush plans suits him best, because his physical tools are ahead of his technique.