Steve LaPrad knew Robert Quinn would be a college prospect when his high school career was just beginning.

LaPrad, Quinn's coach at Fort Dorchester High School in North Charleston, S.C., took his star defensive end to visit colleges his freshman year. LaPrad said there wasn't a noticeable difference between Quinn and the players already on campus.

"Physically he was as mature as most college athletes," LaPrad said. "He's just a physical specimen."

The early signs of Quinn's potential have prepared him to handle the recruiting process.

He has offers from Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida, Auburn, Alabama, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Clemson, North Carolina and Maryland.

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Quinn said he's enjoyed the attention, but he doesn't allow it to become a distraction.

"At first when I started going through all this I was excited," he said. "I'm doing big things and I'm a big star or whatever.

"I've been in it so long that another letter in the mail, it's good. It shows I guess I'm decent and I can play a little bit of football."

Quinn visited UT the weekend of March 31 for the Vols' Orange and White Game at Neyland Stadium.

It was a return trip for Quinn. He took an unofficial visit to UT in September to watch the Vols play Florida.

Quinn said the atmosphere in UT's 21-20 loss to the Gators left him wanting to visit Knoxville again.

"The crowd had me stunned the whole game," he said. "I was like, 'Whoa. I can be playing in this?' "

Quinn also saw the possibility of playing for a good team. UT surrendered a 10-point lead to Florida in the second half, but Quinn left the game more impressed with the Vols' performance.

"Technically I thought they should have beaten Florida and Florida went on to win the national championship," he said. "That says Tennessee could've gone on to win it, too."

Florida's advantage in its recruitment of Quinn will come from his former teammate. Defensive end Carlos Dunlap signed with the Gators in February.

Quinn said Dunlap already is selling the idea of the two reuniting in Gainesville.

"He told me to him it feels like a family down there," Quinn said. "I've never been down there so I couldn't tell you what it's like."

Quinn has taken unofficial visits to South Carolina and Auburn this spring.

He said he wants to visit Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and Maryland this summer.

LaPrad said he expects Quinn to take his time with a decision. Whichever school he chooses, LaPrad believes it will be the right one.

"Robert's very level-headed," LaPrad said. "He'll see everything and make his decision."