July 24, 2010
Greensboro, N.C. ------ Preseason All-America defensive end Robert Quinn and quarterback T.J. Yates will represent the Tar Heels Sunday at the 2010 ACC Football Kickoff.
A junior from Ladson, S.C., Quinn posted 19.0 tackles for losses and 11.0 sacks in 2009, finishing second to Georgia Tech's Derrick Morgan for ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Quinn heads into his third season in Chapel Hill as a candidate for the Nagurski (top defensive player), Lombardi (top lineman), Hendricks (top defensive end) and Lott (defensive IMPACT) awards. As a high school senior, Quinn suffered a brain tumor and had to have emergency surgery, nearly ending his athletic career. He returned later that year and then started 12 games as a true freshman in 2007, winning the ACC's Piccolo Award as the league's most courageous player.
Yates is a three-year starter from Marietta, Ga., who is making his second-consecutive appearance at the ACC Football Kickoff. Yates ranks second at UNC in nearly every passing category, including passing yards (5,959), completions (513) and touchdowns (39). He has started 31 games over the last three seasons.
