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| Quinn Meinerz, who dominated competition in Senior Bowl practices, including Notre Dame defensive lineman Ade Ogundeji, is the second Division III offensive lineman drafted in as many seasons. Photo by Vasha Hunt, USA TODAY Sports |
UW-Whitewater offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz, who decided to forgo his senior year with the Warhawks to declare for the NFL draft, had that optimism rewarded as he was drafted Friday night by the Denver Broncos, No. 98 overall.
The last three Division III football players drafted into the NFL have all been offensive linemen, including St. John's Ben Bartch, who was taken in the fourth round last year, and Hobart's Ali Marpet, who was the highest-ever draft pick out of Division III, at No. 61 overall by Tampa Bay. Marpet is a multiple-year starter on the line for the Bucs, and Bartch played in 13 games and had one start as a rookie for the Jaguars last season.
Meinerz was a second team D3football.com All-America selection following the 2019 season.
Division III draftees since 2007:
| Year | Player, pos., school | Team | Round-overall |
| 2021 | Quinn Meinerz, OL, UW-Whitewater | Broncos | 3-98 |
| 2020 | Ben Bartch, OL, St. John's | Jaguars | 4-116 |
| 2015 | Ali Marpet, OL, Hobart | Buccaneers | 2-61 |
| 2012 | Chris Greenwood, CB, Albion | Lions | 5-148 |
| 2011 | Cecil Shorts, WR, Mount Union | Jaguars | 4-114 |
| 2008 | Andy Studebaker, DE/LB, Wheaton (Ill.) | Eagles | 6-203 |
| 2008 | Pierre Garcon, WR, Mount Union | Colts | 6-205 |
| 2007 | Michael Allan, TE, Whitworth | Chiefs | 7-231 |
| 2007 | Derek Stanley, WR/RET, UW-Whitewater | Rams | 7-249 |