A record-setting career at one of the most storied college football programs in the country is usually enough to rocket a player - especially a quarterback - right to the top of the NFL Draft. Things didn't quite play out that way for former Notre Dame star Brady Quinn, but thousands of collectors are still betting he'll get a chance to shine just as brightly for the Cleveland Browns.
Recruited to play for the Irish by Tyrone Willingham after drawing recognition as one of the top high school players in Ohio, Quinn took his lumps as a freshman starter in 2003, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. He improved as a sophomore, but really took flight once Charlie Weis became the new head coach prior to the 2005 season.
In Quinn's junior campaign, he threw for over 3900 yards and 32 scores with just seven picks. His senior season was almost as impressive, and he departed Notre Dame as a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist and owner of nearly every one of his school's career passing records.
But not all scouts were impressed. Citing his below-average record in big games - like the 2007 Sugar Bowl, when he was outplayed by fellow draftee JaMarcus Russell - opinions of where Quinn would be drafted were mixed. However, few observers expected him to plummet to the 22nd pick, when he was finally selected by his hometown Browns after they passed on him at No. 3.
A holdout during training camp cost Quinn a chance to start for Cleveland and cooled interest in his rookie cards just a bit. Still, with a built-in fan base of Notre Dame fans and the chance to finally lead the Browns to success still a real possibility, he's likely to be one of the most collected members of the Class of 2007 for some time to come.
Brady Quinn 2007 Rookie Cards
- Absolute Memorabilia # 260 - jersey card #'d to 849
- Artifacts # 158 - SP
- Bowman # 112
- Bowman Chrome # BC57
- Bowman Sterling # BQ1 - jersey card
- Donruss Classics # 152 - #'d to 599
- Donruss Elite # 113 - #'d to 599
- Donruss Gridiron Gear # 225 - autographed, #'d to 100
- Donruss Threads # 265 - autographed, #'d to 125
- Exquisite Collection # 134 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Finest # 102
- Leaf Certified Materials # 229 - jersey card #'d to 849
- Leaf Limited # 305 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Leaf Rookies and Stars # 214 - autographed, #'d to 99
- Playoff Contenders # 115 - autographed w/ announced print run of 534
- Playoff National Treasures # 104 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Playoff NFL Playoffs # 104
- Playoff Prestige # 151
- Score # 371
- Select # 371 - #'d to 599
- SP Authentic # 290 - autographed jersey card #'d to 399
- SP Chirography # 102 - autographed, #'d to 199
- SP Rookie Threads # 110 - autographed, #'d to 150
- SPx # 219 - autographed jersey card #'d to 299
- Topps # 287
- Topps Chrome # TC167
- Topps Co-Signers # 55 - #'d to 2249
- Topps Draft Picks and Prospects # 101
- Topps Performance # 104 - #'d to 359
- Topps Total # 442
- Topps Triple Threads # 111 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Topps TX Exclusive # 101 - #'d to 399
- Ultimate Collection # 102 - autographed, #'d to 99
- Ultra # 202
- Upper Deck # 278
- Upper Deck First Edition # 102
- Upper Deck Premier # 136 - autographed jersey card #'d to 199
- Upper Deck Trilogy # 102 - #'d to 399