Mount Carmel's Joey Quinn signs with Oklahoma State

First Joey Quinn figured he might play baseball in college, then he thought he might be a tight end.

But plans change, and now the Mount Carmel senior is heading to Oklahoma State as an edge rusher.

Quinn was the most prominent of the local high-school players to make it official on Wednesday on the first day of football's regular signing period.

The terminology is a little misleading, with the vast majority of the area's top players having been locked in during the early signing period in December. But even with college coaches relying more and more on the transfer portal to stock their rosters, there are opportunities in February for high-school players — especially for programs with incoming coaching staffs.

So it is for Quinn, a mainstay for the Caravan's state champions, who found a home with Oklahoma State and new coach Eric Morris.

Quinn, a 6-6, 250-pounder, is tied for 25th in 247Sports' composite rankings for Illinois' 2026 recruiting class. The three-star prospect originally committed to Vanderbilt before reopening his recruiting.

Morris came to Oklahoma State after building a Top 25 program at North Texas and brought 21 players with him. The Cowboys also loaded up on transfers, but they weren't done restocking the roster.

"They came into the picture really late in the game," Quinn told the Sun-Times. "The D-line coach called on a Wednesday, he came out for a visit on a Thursday and I was on a flight Friday [for a campus visit]. I totally loved it."

Quinn connected with the coaches and loved the idea of playing in a Power Four conference.

"It's a really big stage, which is really important to me," he said.

Wrapping up the recruiting process was a weight off his shoulders.

"[I was] a little bit nervous once the portal opened up," Quinn said. "The portal has become the priority [for college coaches] above high-school guys. It really narrowed down the number of schools I was able to go to."

Growing up, Quinn played baseball, basketball and football. "I was mainly a baseball player until sophomore year of football," he said.

Then he had a growth spurt, followed by a position change in football from tight end to defensive line.

Now he's ready to enjoy his last few months of high school before heading to college in June, with the hope of making an immediate impact.

"The D-line coach told me to come in expecting to play," Quinn said.

Around the area

Another three-star prospect who signed Wednesday was Sandburg defensive lineman Jaden Weaver, a 6-3, 290-pounder who picked Iowa State. Like Oklahoma State, the Cyclones have a new coaching staff.

Emmett Dowling, who quarterbacked Mount Carmel to a Class 8A title in his only season as a starter, is heading to FCS Bucknell. He'll be joined there by Caravan linebacker Dean Kemph.

Three-star receiver Trenton Walker of Nazareth is heading to FCS Murray State.