The 2021 NFL Draft features an incredibly deep tight end class, full of talented playmakers with a wide range of skill sets. That could lead to some promising prospects still being available later than usual, giving teams fantastic value at the position in the later rounds.

One prospect who could end up being a gem in this year’s loaded tight end class is Bowling Green’s Quintin Morris.

An athletic prospect who does his best work in the passing game, Morris recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about his experience at this year’s Senior Bowl, what he most enjoys about playing the tight end position, and what kind of impact he’ll make at the next level.

JM: Bowling Green only got to play five games in 2020. You started them all and you led the team in receptions with 20. It was a short one, but how do you reflect on your final season at Bowling Green?

QM: With it being my last season, of course I wish it went differently and that the world was in a better place. It was a different season with COVID-19. At the end of the day, it was what it was. We had to adapt. We went 0-5. Nobody enjoys losing. Spending that year with my teammates though, guys that I had built special relationships with, I was thankful for that opportunity.

JM: You recently had a great Pro Day. You ran a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash, which is a great time for your size. Tell us a little about the Pro Day.

QM: It was good. I had been training out at MJP. They did a great job getting me ready for Pro Day. I’m in the best shape of my life right now. They gave me the best opportunity to go out there and perform in the manner that I did.

Going in, I was definitely nervous. That’s the honest truth. There was a lot of build-up that went into that day. I trained for three months. You look forward to it every single day. It’s your time to shine under the bright lights. I was a little nervous in the beginning, but once we got on the field and started doing some of the testing I loosened up and had a great day.

JM: You turned a lot of heads with your numbers. You also went out to the Senior Bowl back in January. What do you think is the impression you left on NFL scouts in Mobile?

QM: I think I left a pretty good impression on every team out there. When I got there, I didn’t live up to my personal expectations during the first couple of practices. I was a little nervous going in. I dropped a couple of balls that I shouldn’t have. I gotta catch the easy ones. I was turning my head and trying to get upfield a bit too early. I had to just calm down and focus on the ball.

There was a blitz pickup drill that I took some time to get used to. I struggled with that in the beginning because I didn’t really do it in college. As the week went on, scouts agreed that I got a lot better in that area. I spoke to some scouts and asked for their feedback on that. I definitely showed a ton of positive progression in that area.

I was able to make a couple of plays in the game as well. I definitely displayed my athleticism. Overall, I was happy with my performance. I got a lot better as the week went on. When it was over, I went back to training and continued to improve. I got my weight down to 243. My body is in the best shape it’s ever been in right now.

JM: I thought you had a strong week. What’s your favorite part of playing the tight end position?

QM: I think it’s a position that the quarterback and offense really rely on. We’re the most sure-handed weapon a QB can ask for. Quarterbacks typically look for us on third downs when they need to move the chains. A QB always trusts his tight end.

The position has transformed into one that can move all over the field. Defenses have a tough time matching up with us nowadays. I love being that piece that can move around an offense. We have to know the entire offense. We’re the jack-of-all-trades. That’s what I love about it.

JM: A lot of people feel like you’re at your best when playing as a big slot. It gives you a chance to be a mismatch in the passing game. What are your thoughts on that?

QM: I definitely love playing in the slot. I played some receiver growing up. Being a receiver is a big part of my game. It’s still in me. I really enjoy getting flexed out into the slot. I love lining up across a linebacker. It’s a mismatch opportunity for me, like you said. Those guys can’t really run with me. Sometimes you get a DB out there and we’re bigger than they are. They have to go through my body in order to prevent me from making the catch. I can use all of my advantages against these guys. I really enjoy that. The best part about playing tight end is creating a mismatch problem for defenses.

JM: It pops up on tape with you time and time again. Playing at Bowling Green, it’s inevitable that somebody is going to label you as a “small school” prospect. You’ve probably heard it before. How do you typically respond to that?

QM: I’ve definitely heard it before. When somebody says that, I just tell them to turn the tape on. You can watch what I did against Notre Dame or any other big school that I’ve played against. I always showed up for those games and proved that I can hang with the best. You can watch me perform. I did that at the Senior Bowl as well. I’ve flown under the radar my entire life. It’s nothing new to me. Somebody is always going to doubt you.

It’ll look better on my 30 for 30 one day (laughs). We’re gonna put all of the doubters on film someday. We’re gonna document everybody that called me a small school guy.

I look at the guys that have made it from a small school. Antonio Brown played in the MAC conference just like I did. Corey Davis went to Western Michigan. Our very own Scotty Miller came from Bowling Green. Look at what he’s doing and how productive he’s been.

I’m telling teams not to count out the little guy. It is what it is. I played in the MAC conference. I have no doubt that if I went to a bigger school, I would have put up some big numbers there as well. At the end of the day, don’t be one of those teams that ends up kicking themselves because they passed on a guy that didn’t go to a huge school. Three years from now, you’ll look back and wish that you took that chance on me.

JM: That’s a terrific answer. I love that. That’s the perfect way to handle that question. If you could catch a pass from any quarterback in the NFL, who would you choose and why?

QM: I have to say Tom Brady. I grew up watching him. He had so many doubters as well. They continue to hate on this man and I don’t understand it (laughs). He got it done in New England. He had so many doubters that said he couldn’t get it done without Bill Belichick and now he’s getting it done in Tampa Bay with Bruce Arians. He just has a great story. You can’t deny greatness.

I spoke with Scotty Miller about the experience of playing with Tom Brady and catching balls from him. Every kid grew up watching him on TV. It’s like damn, you never imagined getting a chance to play with a guy like that. It would definitely be really cool to catch a ball from him. You already know he loves his tight ends (laughs). You’ve seen what he does with Gronk.

JM: That’s great. You may have me rooting for you to land in Tampa after that answer. I’ve really appreciated your time today. In closing, why should an NFL team use one of their draft picks on Quintin Morris?

QM: I’m the jack of all trades. You can put me in the slot, you can put me outside or you can even put me in the backfield. You can move me all over the field. I’m a chess piece for the offense. I look forward to getting on a team and proving that I can be a matchup problem. Defenses are going to have to gameplan for me. At the end of the day, you have to take your losses because you can’t stop me.