Note: The following appears in the App State football gameday program.
Quinn Castner, a graduate placekicker, arrived on campus in 2020. He hoped to play college football, but he was a high school senior when the COVID-19 pandemic began, complicating the recruiting landscape for him and thousands of potential prospects. Standing 5’5”, he knew he needed to improvise to gain the attention of college coaches.
“My recruiting story is unique. I would go out and kick three or four times a week that spring and summer, record myself and make highlight clips to post on Twitter and tag as many coaches as I could.”
By this point, he had already committed to attend Clemson University as a student.
After months of waiting around, the call finally came.
“Coach (Brent) Venables, the defensive coordinator at the time, was the first to respond. It was actually on NFL draft night, and he responded to my tweet and told me we’d be in touch. About a month later, he gave me a call on a Thursday around 10:00 p.m. to let me know a spot had opened up.”
While anything but a traditional route to a college football roster, Castner’s persistence earned him an opportunity.
“Even if it looks like there’s a bunch of closed doors, try to find an open one, no matter what it takes, even if you have to be the rock in someone’s shoe.”
As a walk-on, he was unsure when his first chance on the field would come. In only his second game as a Tiger, Castner’s number was called to kick off against The Citadel. Head Coach Dabo Swinney said he gave the freshman walk-on the opportunity because his starting kickoff team needed some practice, assuming Castner’s kick would not reach the endzone. To his and many others’ surprise, Castner kicked a touchback, granting him a huge ovation from the sideline.
“That was the biggest welcome I could ever have. I had been on the team for two or three weeks, then that moment happened, and everyone embraced me. The guys picked me up, and that was one of my biggest moments.
“That’s a testament to Clemson as a whole. Everyone here…they say it’s a family. They’re absolutely right. The students, the professors, the coaches…we’re all so tight-knit and want the best for each other.”
When asked about something he would want all Tiger fans to know about him, he highlighted the importance of his academics. Castner has already graduated with a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering and is currently pursuing a master’s degree.
“I’m currently working on hamstring rehabilitations. Specifically, I’m working with a group of a few people to make a device we hope to patent eventually. My off-the-field life with academics is huge for me.”
Castner’s favorite memory as a Tiger came at the end of the 2021 season, when Clemson defeated Iowa State in the Cheez-It Bowl.
“We had a rocky start, but the team came together towards the end of the season and we all bought in. We said ‘the start was the start, but it’s all about how we finish.’ That was probably the closest the team has been.”
More specifically, the special-teams unit has grown especially close during his time at Clemson.
“We do everything together. We go on hikes, road trips, dinner or just hang out at each others’ houses. Our position naturally is individualistic, so coming together as a group is very important.”
As his time on campus comes to a close, Castner, who is a P.A.W. Journey ambassador, looks to continue the development of great relationships between his fellow specialists, teammates, coaches and all members of the Clemson family.
