Better Know A Buckeye is our look at every member of Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class and how they became Buckeyes as they prepare to begin their OSU careers this fall.
Dre Quinn was part of a late surge on the recruiting trail for Ohio State, as he became the fifth prospect in the 2026 class (plus three in the 2027 class) to commit to the Buckeyes in the first 16 days of November 2025. He was Ohio State's 26th overall commitment in the class.
Dre Quinn
- Size: 6-4/223
- Position: EDGE
- School: Buford (Buford, Georgia)
- 247 Sports Composite: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: #373 (#38 EDGE)
Background
While Ohio State was preparing for the national championship game against Notre Dame, OSU director of recruiting strategy Nick Murphy went on the road and extended an offer to Quinn in January 2025.
Although he committed to Clemson on May 30, 2025, the Buckeyes made it known that Quinn was still a top priority, and so did other programs. On Sept. 13, he took an unofficial visit to Tennessee, breaking one of Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney's rules for his recruits. Quinn decommitted from the Tigers on Sep. 25.
“Yes, that is a policy,” Swinney said when asked about the rule shortly after Quinn visited the Volunteers. “And I don’t bring committed kids in here either. I don’t do that. I don’t visit committed guys here.”
He then took an unofficial visit to OSU for the Buckeyes' game against Minnesota on Oct. 4 and an official visit to Columbus for Ohio State's Nov. 15 game against UCLA. Just one day after that official visit, Quinn committed to OSU over the likes of Miami (Florida), Tennessee and Texas.
In his first year playing varsity as a sophomore, Quinn racked up 11 tackles (two for loss). As a junior at Greater Atlanta Christian, Quinn notched 42 tackles (9.5 TFL), 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. As a two-way player, he also had seven catches for 129 yards.
Quinn transferred to Buford High School for his senior season, the same school that current Ohio State junior defensive tackle Eddrick Houston attended. Quinn totaled 92 tackles (15 TFL), five sacks, 21 QB hurries, one pass breakup and a blocked field goal in his final high school season, leading to a rise up the recruiting rankings and his eventual spot in the Buckeyes’ 2026 class.
Scouting Report
Quinn is an explosive athlete who projects to play defensive end at Ohio State. While he needs to add size to play for the Buckeyes, weighing just 223 pounds when he arrived at OSU, his pursuit and quickness are excellent, and he showed the versatility to make plays all over the defensive line in high school.
To maximize his potential, Quinn will have to add more pass-rush moves to his arsenal since he will be going against linemen who are bigger than him, but his burst and speed as a defensive lineman give him the upside to be a dynamic pass rusher for Ohio State once he adds some muscle to his frame.
Depth Chart Outlook
Quinn will likely spend his freshman year learning the game at the college level and sharpening his craft behind a loaded group of defensive ends that includes Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Beau Atkinson, Zion Grady, Alabama transfer Qua Russaw and fellow freshman Khary Wilder.
If he develops well both physically and technically entering next season and proves he can be a difference-making pass rusher off the edge, he could contend for a spot on the two-deep in 2027, as Jackson and Atkinson are both seniors. That said, he’ll still face plenty of competition for playing time at DE next year as Grady, Epi Sitanilei and Wilder are all underclassmen while the Buckeyes also have two top defensive end commits in the 2027 class in DJ Jacobs and Wyatt Smith (with the potential to add a third in Marcus Fakatou).
Player Comparison: Caden Curry
Better Know A Buckeye
A four-star prospect in the 2023 class, Curry immediately began playing significant snaps at Ohio State. As a freshman, he registered 14 tackles (1.5 TFL) and half a sack.
Those numbers slowly increased over his next two years before Curry had a breakout senior year. In his last season as a Buckeye, the 6-foot-3, 257-pounder had 66 tackles (16.5 TFL), 11 sacks, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 2025.
Curry went from being a questionable starter to begin the season while fighting for a starting spot to leading the team in tackles for loss and sacks. Due to that incredible fourth and final season as a Buckeye, Curry was selected in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Curry is also known for his motor, speed and athleticism on the edge, the same way Quinn's game can be described. If he can continue to develop his arsenal while adding some weight and muscle, Quinn could also rush from all over the line like Curry did.
While Quinn might not play as much as Curry did early on, given the depth chart at defensive end, he has the skill set to become a similar player to Curry by the end of his career.
