Quinn Meinerz (born November 15, 1998) is an American professional football guard for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Wisconsin–Whitewater.

Quinn Meinerz
No. 77 – Denver Broncos
Position:Guard
Personal information
Born: (1998-11-15) November 15, 1998 (age 26)
Hartford, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:320 lb (145 kg)
Career information
High school:Hartford Union (Hartford, Wisconsin)
College:Wisconsin–Whitewater (2017–2020)
NFL draft:2021 / round: 3 / pick: 98
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× All-WIAC (2018, 2019)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 7, 2024
Games played:52
Games started:46
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Meinerz grew up in Hartford, Wisconsin and attended Hartford Union High School, where he was a member of the football, track and field, and wrestling teams.[1] He was named honorable mention All-State as both an offensive and defensive lineman as a senior. Meinerz chose to play college football at NCAA Division III Wisconsin–Whitewater over St. Cloud State and Wisconsin–La Crosse.[2]

College career

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Meinerz played in two games as a freshman before becoming a starter as a sophomore, when he was named first team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).[3][4] Meinerz was named first team All-WIAC and a first team Division III All-American by the Associated Press.[5] The 2020 NCAA Division III football season was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic and he spent the year training at his family's hunting and fishing camp in Ontario.[6] Meinerz played in the 2021 Senior Bowl.[7][8]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 2+78 in
(1.90 m)
320 lb
(145 kg)
33+38 in
(0.85 m)
10+18 in
(0.26 m)
4.99 s 1.73 s 2.88 s 4.58 s 7.54 s 32.0 in
(0.81 m)
9 ft 3 in
(2.82 m)
All values from Pro Day[9][10][11]

Meinerz was selected 98th overall in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos.[12] He was the highest drafted football player in school history and the first since 2007.[13][14] In Meinerz rookie season on the Broncos, he played in 15 of the 17 regular season games and started every game after Week 9, totaling 9 starts on the season.

On July 17, 2024, Meinerz signed a four-year, $80 million extension, keeping him under contract through the 2028 season.[15]

References

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  1. ^ Valdovinos, Matthew (January 29, 2021). "Quinn Meinerz, C, UWW – NFL Draft Player Profile". ProFootballNetwork.com. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  2. ^ Torres, Ricardo (March 6, 2021). "Division III star Quinn Meinerz prepared for NFL draft in Canada wilderness, learned center in backyard". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  3. ^ McKillen, Thomas (December 13, 2019). "Hartford's Meinerz Selected All-Region for UW-Whitewater Football". Express News. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  4. ^ Gill, Amy (September 4, 2019). "Meinerz taking over o-line leadership for Warhawks". WKOW. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  5. ^ Miller, Jack (January 28, 2021). "'Getting borderline ridiculous': UW-Whitewater's Quinn Meinerz is making name for himself at Senior Bowl". Daily Jefferson County Union. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  6. ^ Warner, Jonathan (January 28, 2021). "NFL prospect Quinn Meinerz had himself a DK Metcalf moment at Senior Bowl practice". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  7. ^ Bentley, Coleman (January 27, 2021). "If you show up to the Senior Bowl looking like this, you better damn well go number-one overall". Golf Digest. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  8. ^ Trapasso, Chris (January 29, 2021). "Senior Bowl 2021: Jamie Newman, Quinn Meinerz among these prospects with most to prove". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  9. ^ "Quinn Meinerz Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  10. ^ "2021 Draft Scout Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  11. ^ "Quinn Meinerz 2021 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  12. ^ Heath, Jon (April 30, 2021). "Broncos select OL Quinn Meinerz in 3rd round of the NFL draft". Broncos Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  13. ^ "Quinn Meinerz makes Whitewater history at the NFL Draft". Channel3000.com. May 1, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  14. ^ "Broncos draft Whitewater's Meinerz; highest pick in school history". Fox6Now.com. April 30, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  15. ^ Gordon, Grant (July 16, 2024). "Broncos, guard Quinn Meinerz agree to four-year, $80 million extension". NFL.com.
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