Brainerd High School grad Quinn McElfresh will play in his final collegiate football game this weekend and it could potentially be the biggest of his career.
A senior wide receiver at Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Miss, McElfresh received an invitation in December to play with other seniors in the SPIRAL Tropical Bowl Sunday, Jan. 13 in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Last year's bowl game was showcased in front of more 70 pro scouts from 27 NFL and six CFL teams. More than 110 Tropical Bowl alumni have gone on to the NFL since its inception in 2016. The game is for seniors not invited to any of the three premier all-star games (East-West Shrine Game, NFPLA Collegiate Bowl and Senior Bowl).
"I was really excited when I got the invitation," said McElfresh. "It's an honor to represent my team. I'm more excited than nervous. I'm sure it will be a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to playing against some of best guys in the nation."
McElfresh graduated from BHS in 2015 and was a junior on the Warrior team that played in the 2013 Prep Bowl for the Class 5A state championship at the Metrodome. They lost 24-0 to top-seeded Owatonna.
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He played his first two college years at Golden West Community College in Huntington Beach, CA before transferring to MVSU in 2017. Since its first season in 1953, MVSU has produced more than 25 NFL players, most notably Jerry Rice and Deacon Jones.
When asked about the transition from high school to college football, McElfresh said, "The game was a little faster, but the biggest transition was being away from home and being on your own," He said. "Moving on to MVSU was a pretty easy transition because the competition in California teams was pretty good."
In his first year with the MVSU Delta Devils, he led the team in receptions (57) and receiving yards (889). He averaged 15.6 yards per reception and 80.6 average yards per game. His five touchdown catches led the Southwestern Athletic Conference. He was named SWAC 2017 New-Comer of the Year and was named to the SWAC All-Conference team.
This year, he caught 31 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns, bringing his two-year Delta Devils career total to 88 receptions, 1,135 total yards and seven touchdowns.
"This year we got a new offensive coordinator and staff," he said. "We played with three different quarterbacks and we wound up running the ball more this year, but I was able to make an impact blocking."
McElfresh admitted that he is hopeful of the prospect of playing pro ball and would like to continue his football career.
"Quite a few (pro) teams came to our school this fall and I was able to talk to several of them," he said. "I think I've had a very successful career. I was able to stay healthy playing in high school and college and it was a lot of fun.
"I would welcome the opportunity to be on any team. Anyone who wants me, I would go play for them and do my best."
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When asked about his strongest assets, McElfresh said: "I'm a hard worker. I have a lot of grit and never give up. I do anything the coaches ask of me and am a team player. I'm also very determined."
He said that his plans for the future include finishing his four-year degree (he needs 20 more hours), but right now he is spending time in Florida training at D1 Sports in Tampa.
"Ultimately, someday, I would like to be a football coach and be able to give back to the game," he said. "I would like that."
His schedule this weekend at the Tropical Bowl begins with getting registered and measured Friday morning.
"A lot of scouts will be there for that," McElfresh said. "The scouts will also be at our first practice Friday afternoon and the Saturday practices as well as the game on Sunday."
Kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m. EST (9 a.m. CST) and the game can be viewed on FloFootball.com.
