BY DAN JOHNSON • DANSJOHN@DMREG.COM • SEPTEMBER 8, 2009 Iowa Falls, Ia. — There’s one way to tell Tirrell Rennie and Quintin Robinson apart. "He’s an exact replica of me," Rennie said. "He’s just a little taller." Talent-wise, there’s not much to choose between the Ellsworth Community College football duo. Both led the nation at their positions as freshmen in 2008. DAN JOHNSON/THE REGISTER
Quintin Robinson, left, and Tirrell Rennie were two of the top junior college offensive players in the country last year. Robinson accumulated 1,102 receiving yards, and Rennie accounted for 3,469 yards of total offense. The 5-foot-10 Rennie led junior college players with 3,469 yards in total offense, rushing for 1,101 yards and 2,458 yards passing. The 6-3 Robinson grabbed 88 passes for 1,102 yards, both best in the nation. His 10 touchdown catches tied for first.
If they’re similar, it’s not coincidence. Robinson and Rennie have been friends since seventh grade and have been playing organized football together since they were freshmen at Coconut Creek High School in Florida.
"He was always funnier than me," Robinson said of Rennie. "Whatever he did, I tried to so something funnier. There was always competition, but it was fun."
They’ve been together for so long that on occasion, they will ad-lib their own plays.
"If we see one-on-ones, we’re calling plays," Rennie said. "Nobody else knows what we’re talking about, but we do."
Rennie and Robinson wound up at Ellsworth in part because coach Michael Virden got a closer look at their abilities than he probably wanted.
Virden was coaching Douglas High in South Florida, which lost 64-42 to Coconut Creek after Robinson caught two touchdown passes and Rennie had four passing and two rushing touchdowns.
"They’re good kids," Virden said. "Quentin is blessed with a few things that not a lot of people can do. He has great hands, and he accelerates so fast with the ball. He is just so quick. As soon as the ball touches his hand, he is immediately turning upfield and getting yards.
"Tirrell is a great leader. Guys rally behind him. And Tirrell has some athletic skill that he has been blessed with. He can run the ball and hurt you that way, he can throw the ball. He’s accurate and makes good decisions. He’s very much is a dual threat. If the defense tries to blitz us, he can throw. If they set off him, he can run and throw."
What’s next in their college careers is uncertain. Robinson has Division I offers from Wyoming, Akron, and Rutgers.
Rennie said Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Ohio, and Kansas State have shown interest, but haven’t offered. One question is whether he will be shifted to a new position if he is considered too small to play quarterback.
"I just want to know that I have an offer," Rennie said. "Whether they want me to play quarterback or slot or corner is fine with me. I’ve always been able to adapt to the situation."
"I just want to know that I have an offer," Rennie said. "Whether they want me to play quarterback or slot or corner is fine with me. I’ve always been able to adapt to the situation."
Robinson said Rennie gets underestimated because of his size.
"He’s faster than most quarterbacks, he has a stronger arm than most quarterbacks," Robinson said. "People look at him because he’s smaller than most quarterbacks, so he surprises them every time. It never surprises me when he has three defenders holding him and he just breaks loose."
Likewise, Rennie is Robinson’s biggest fan.
"He’s a quarterback’s dream," Rennie said. "If he has a jump ball, he jumps and catches everything. For a slant, he puts a move on everybody. He always gets open. He’s virtually uncontainable."
Both were named to the junior college preseason all-America team, Robinson the first team, Rennie the second. Ellsworth was ranked third in the preseason junior college poll, but is 0-1 after dropping the opener 35-33 to No. 8 Georgia Military College.
Rennie ran for 107 yards and passed for 333. Robinson had 95 yards receiving and John Rabe had 133.
"We want to get back on top," Rennie said. "We had a tough loss. We want to be No. 1. We know that if we win the rest of our ballgames, we can be right back in it.
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