SpoSat: Quinn overpowers life’s obstacles, ACC blockers

As far as coach Butch Davis can see, Robert Quinn doesn’t have any discernible gear but his first.

“The first thing you know about Robert Quinn is that he goes a hundred miles an hour on every snap,” Davis said.

In reality, the figure might be closer to 18.14 mph.

Quinn first opened eyes with his ascent from third-string defensive end to starter.

Jaws dropped when he broke Julius Peppers’ record in the 40-yard dash for defensive ends — clocking in at 4.51 seconds.

But where he’s really captured attention is when players didn’t expect see him at all.

 “We’ll be watching film and be like, Rob, dag, you stole my tackle,” E.J. Wilson said. “He’ll be running from the other side and be right there when you think you’re about to make a tackle.”

Quinn, a sophomore, has emerged as one of the key pieces in UNC’s highly touted defense.

After four games, Quinn ranks fourth in the ACC for sacks and second for tackles for loss.

“He has that unique speed and size,” said defensive line coach John Blake. “Sometimes God makes us with a lot of gifts. He’s taking advantage of those gifts.”

But his God-given gifts aren’t what continue to push Quinn in his first gear.

It’s what was taken away.

“I almost lost football,” he said. “Now I have the opportunity to go play, and I’m trying to make the best of it.”

In 2007, Quinn received emergency brain surgery for a tumor.

Despite worries he might not live, Quinn survived. And despite cautions that he might not ever play football again, he starts.

 “In the back of our mind, we’re like, ‘Wow, this guy is coming out here and working hard,’” Wilson said. “This guy almost lost his life. Not only football. His life.”

“It’s a lot bigger than what’s going on between the sidelines. He’s coming out and playing everyday, why can’t we do the same?”

Quinn said he hasn’t been surprised by his own speed­— just where he has ended up.

“My freshman year I was third string,” Quinn said. “All of sudden I was starting. It was unbelievable. I’m doing the most I can with it.”

In three games, Quinn’s already proved to do just that.

In UNC’s win against the East Carolina, Quinn delivered two sacks for a loss of 17 yards.

And in a near loss to Connecticut, Quinn’s rush to the quarterback resulted in a holding call, the subsequent safety and a UNC victory.

All that remains to be seen is if Quinn can reach his goal of 13 sacks on the season.

But despite all his successes, Quinn admitted his surgery never escapes his consciousness.

“It’s a tumor in my head,” he said. “I’m always thinking about it.”

But he’s proved to be moving forward, and in record time at that.

“I don’t want to regret anything. I just try to go full speed.”