Jets WR Quentin Skinner knows what it's like to fight for everything.
Reps, a roster spot -- you name it, he's done it.
The undrafted free agent signed with the Jets after a four-season college career at Kansas, where he walked onto the team and stepped into a competitive Big 12 football environment. After contributing during 11 games as a redshirt freshman in 2021, largely on special teams, Skinner took on a bigger role at receiver during his final three seasons and logged a career-high 22.3 average yards per reception in 2024.
While the 6-5, 195-pound player now prepares for his final preseason action against the Eagles on Friday with one more opportunity to make his case for his first NFL roster spot, he's embracing the uphill battle -- and even finding comfort in it.
"What's crazy is I'd describe it as familiar," Skinner said of his experience as an UFDA. "Being a walk-on from my past experience, it's kind of like the same thing repeating itself again. It's always a grind and it's always fun to do it. So, it's a good test."
Skinner said he has approached the process with a chip on his shoulder, aiming to maximize each opportunity to prove to his coaches, teammates and even himself that he deserves the chance to compete.
His efforts haven't gone unnoticed. After co-leading the team in receiving yards vs. the Giants and making an impressive diving catch in the back of the end zone for the Jets' only touchdown of the game, HC Aaron Glenn was quick to name Skinner as a player who "really showed up." For OC Tanner Engstrand, the performance was a testament to repeated days of hard work the young player has put on tape throughout the summer.
"They've been consistent," Engstrand said Wednesday of Skinner and WR Brandon Smith. "They've shown to be able to go up and catch the ball. They've shown to be a big body target when the ball is thrown their way, and they're in the right areas. When the ball is thrown to them, they're making the play. The consistency has been really nice."
That consistency has been a point of pride for the 23-year-old Oklahoma native. Skinner said he has developed a strong connection and trust with QB Brady Cook throughout training camp and the preseason, and he spoke with the fellow undrafted free agent before the impressive fourth-quarter scoring drive. The pair of young players connected for 48 yards and the score on the possession, and the longest completion was for a 22-yard gain.
"Playmaker," Skinner said of how he would describe his game. "In any way, shape or form -- inside the slot, outside -- just being a playmaker. From route running, from high-pointing balls, from running deep with speed. I think being physical and blocking, too. I think I can check all the boxes. If they put trust in me to go do something, I'm going to go do it."
Though Skinner is competing with several other players for the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of playing at the highest level, he has embraced the relationships he has developed -- most notably with fourth-round draft pick WR Arian Smith.
"This game has brought me so much to life," Skinner said. "It's brought me everything. I try to see the inner depths of it. … Growing with Jamaal Pritchett and Dymere Miller, it's been great. It's been exciting. It's almost hard to put into words -- just putting a smile on my face."
Skinner celebrated his preseason touchdown with a prayer, something he said he planned to do when dreaming of the moment. He didn't keep the ball, though. Skinner wants to save that for his first regular season score. With one final preseason game remaining, he aims to take an important next step in making that dream a reality.
"[I have the] same mindset as I would have any other game," he said of Friday's matchup. "Just play calm and play free and go play fast and enjoy the moment you have.
"It's about that next-day mentality. To just go be grateful where my feet are, tie up some cleats again and go do it."
