Jay Fiedler, Jason Garrett and Ryan Fitzpatrick; what do all these guys have in common? All of them are quarterbacks that played in the Ivy League and made an impact in the NFL. Princeton Tigers quarterback Quinn Epperly hopes to follow in their footsteps as the next great Ivy League quarterback to make it to the NFL.
Epperly, just a kid from Knoxville, Tennessee, was a tremendous player at Princeton, playing in multiple offenses and ranking high in many statistical categories. Epperly’s name started to pick up steam around NFL Draft circles in 2013 as he became Princeton’s eighth Bushnell Cup recipient. He was also named the Ivy League’s Offensive Player of the Year, and finished 10th in voting for the Walter Payton Award, which is for the FCS National Player of the Year.
Epperly had a pretty solid 2014 season despite fighting through injuries. He completed 58.5 percent of his passes for four touchdowns and 981 yards. Epperly also made an impact in the Tigers’ running game, rushing for 244 yards on 70 carries and 12 touchdowns. After putting together a masterful career at Princeton, Epperly was invited to the College Gridiron Showcase.
The College Gridiron Showcase is another All-star game for college players from all divisions: D1, FCS, D2, D3, and NAIA. Players get to show off their skills in front of scouts and executives from the NFL, CFL, and Arena Football League. Epperly talked to us about his experience at the showcase.
“It was an awesome opportunity, I think it helped me especially just because being from a small school and being hurt my senior year, not putting up the numbers I did my junior year, my name wasn’t as high on people’s radar.”
When it comes to all-star games such as the College Gridiron Showcase, the FCS National Bowl, or the Dream Bowl, many small school guys get a chance to show scouts and executives that they belong.
Epperly has showed that he belongs throughout his entire career despite playing in a non-traditional offense, and loves to compete.
“One thing I pride myself on is competing, and to anywhere I go I am going to compete for that job and try to better myself, and keeping everybody around me,” he said.
That non-traditional offense that you may have seen Princeton run led Epperly to put up some tremendous numbers throughout his Princeton career.
He finished first in interception percentage with 1.6 percent, second in completion percentage with 62 percent, second in the passing and rushing touchdowns with 38 and 35 respectively, and third with 5,200 yards of total offense.
Epperly feels that he can be the ultimate team player and play any role that an NFL team may ask of him including scout team as football to him is an unbelievable experience.
“I just think its the whole process of playing the game. Everything that football offers you is an unbelievable opportunity, through my life it has greatly improved things I’ve been able to do and accomplish,” he said.
Epperly is looking to become that next great Ivy League quarterback to make an impact on an NFL team as to him there is not a better feeling.
“There is honestly nothing else I can think of that would be greater than to be able to play for an NFL team. I think it’s a lot of little kids dreams and just to have the possibility to live it out would be an unbelievable experience.”
His journey is already underway and I have a feeling that will be hearing Epperly’s name on Sundays being called very soon.
If you missed my interview with Epperly, you can check it out below:
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