May 1, 2021 – Hartford, WI – Quinn Meinerz, a native of Hartford and 2017 graduate of Hartford Union High School was selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos; Meinerz was the 98th overall pick.
An offensive lineman, Meinerz played three seasons including a national championship game on the NCAA Division-III football powerhouse University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
With the 2020 season cancelled by the NCAA “The Gut,” as Meinerz has been affectionately nicknamed, worked on improving his playstyle and adding to his versatility.
Meinerz has spent most his career as an offensive guard, but he trained to play center over the Fall of 2020, which paid off by netting Meinerz a spot in the annual NCAA Senior Bowl. The strong impression Meinerz made turned heads of pro scouts who saw him as a potential second round draft pick.
Hartford Union High School head football coach John Redders was a defensive assistant for Meinerz during his first three years before becoming head coach in his senior season in 2016.
Redders said Meinerz, whom he also coached in track and field is a “natural leader that didn’t hesitate to help people both on and off the field.”
“Quinn always wanted to learn more, so he wasn’t afraid to ask questions, especially in my intro to sports medicine class,” said Redders.
Redders spoke of how proud he is of Meinerz and gave props to his entire football staff and the Hartford teachers. “We work hard to make sure that not just Quinn’s development, but all of our students have a support structure through a community effort which makes sure they succeed.”
Redders said one other thing he remembers about Meinerz is that he had a fishing group with several other football players and even the Hartford athletic director, which just makes Quinn a true Wisconsinite through and through.
Meinerz becomes just the fourth player drafted into the NFL in the history of UW-Whitewater.
The last player drafted was wide receiver Derek Stanley in the seventh round of the 2007 draft by the then St. Louis (now Los Angeles) Rams.
Offensive lineman Joe Panos was taken in 1994 by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round, 77th overall.
Meinerz is the third Hartford native to be drafted into the NFL. Offensive guard John Shinners, born and raised in Hartford, was drafted in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Art Hauser, a defensive tackle who attended Hartford High School was drafted in the fifth round of the 1958 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
The next big step in Meinerz’s journey has begun. And while it won’t get any easier for Meinerz in the NFL, making it there is still a true achievement.
Note: Information about other players mentioned in this story comes from Pro-Football-Reference.com