Redding Delivers Big Plays in Return Game
Ameer Eldomiatti and Paul Rovnak
10/28/2022
To be a returner in college football, you have to be fearless and smart. It’s a good thing for Minnesota that Quentin Redding is both.
Redding, who stands 5-7 and weighs 150 pounds, has flashed some big-play potential in the return game for the Gophers this year. The redshirt freshman from Menomonee Falls, Wis., has returned 10 kickoffs for 260 yards this year and his 26.0 average ranks second in the Big Ten. Redding has also returned six punts for 41 yards, which translates to a 6.83 average – a mark that is higher than Minnesota’s season-ending total in 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
“You have to be fearless,” said Redding, when discussing what it takes to return punts. “You have to know that you might get hit. At the end of the day, I have to get the ball.”
Redding’s hallmark return this year came at Illinois when he took the second-half kickoff 92 yards to the Illinois 8-yard line. The Gophers benefitted from the short field, as Mohamed Ibrahim scored on the next play.
“I saw the ball in the air and caught it running,” said Redding, who streaked down the Minnesota sideline following a smartly executed plan. “Everybody did their job on that play, so it’s all credit to them. It was fun getting 92 yards to set our team up for success.”
Redding is the smallest player on the roster, but he has one of the biggest personalities and is one of the most beloved players on the roster. He brings a spark to the team and his boundless energy can provide a list when needed.
“If you watch after the return, the whole team is running down the sideline because everyone was excited for him,” said head coach P.J. Fleck. “He is a walk-on who has done everything we have asked of him. He just wants to help the team. That is a kid who loves his role and understands his role.
“You saw him break two shoe-string type tackles and he did not break stride. It is exciting to have that type of player and I know he is going to continue to work for a bigger role.”
One of the reasons that Redding was able to break off a long return at Illinois is because he is extremely strong. Fleck has gushed about how Redding can squat 550 pounds. And at his size, that number is going to draw some looks.
“I’m the smallest guy on the team, so when I squat and bench, everybody has kind of looked at me and said, ‘Dude you’re strong,’” said Redding, who also played basketball in high school. “I don’t know if it's genetics or working hard, but it has turned some heads.”
Redding is not alone in his journey to help better the Gophers, as he is joined in the Maroon and Gold by his younger brother Evan Redding. Evan is a freshman receiver this year at Minnesota and the duo played together in high school as well.
“Evan compliments me in many ways,” said Quentin Redding. “I can go to my brother for anything. He is my best friend along with my sister so it is awesome to have him here. He keeps my mind right and keeps me grounded.”
All the Redding siblings, and every Gopher fan, are anxious to see more of Quentin running down the sideline in the future.
