Quinn Carroll was one of the last people off the field after the Gophers defeated the Badgers 24-7 on Nov. 29 in Madison. He talked to family but was extremely generous with his time with the fans who had come and embraced the cold weather to cheer on the team as they secured Paul Bunyon’s Axe.
Now, with just one game left, Quinn has been able to sit back and reflect on his time at both Notre Dame and Minnesota.
“It was very emotional for me,” Carroll said about the game in Madison. “You know, that’s likely the last time in college I’ll get to experience that. I don’t know how many Gophers fans are going to be that excited about this game but you know the Badger game is so exciting for the fans. They ride and die for that game so that was fun to be able to win that one for the fans, for the state of Minnesota and to bring back the axe where it belongs.”
A graduate of Edina High School, Carroll’s journey didn’t start in Dinkytown but instead in South Bend where he spent three seasons (2019-21) at Notre Dame. Ranked the No. 1 player in Minnesota out of high school and a top-10 tackle nationally, Carroll said he felt a call by God to South Bend and then years later, felt a different call back to Minnesota.
“There’s pros and cons to every program,” Carroll said. “That’s something that I did in high school to break down where I wanted to go. At the time, I felt God leading me to Notre Dame and then after a few years, I felt God leading me back home. I wouldn’t change a thing about my college experience, including going to Notre Dame. I loved every second of that too.”
After a one-day delay at the Sugar Bowl, Carroll and the team were able to watch as the Irish rolled their way to victory in the first year of the College Football Playoff. Carroll is still a fan of the Irish and said he would be cheering for them to take it all over the next couple of weeks.
The conversation turned to the talent of Minnesota football players and how to keep them at the University of Minnesota. With a unique perspective of leaving and coming back, Carroll doesn’t say that every single student-athlete should come to Minnesota but says that he hopes that we are able to keep the best talent in-state if possible.
“Make the right decision for you, and find out what’s most important to you. Follow your heart, follow your gut, and lean on your faith to bring you there. You need to understand what your priorities are. For me, playing at the University of Minnesota as a Minnesota kid has been a thrill of a lifetime.”