Future Gopher Q&A: Ed Olson

In the weeks leading up to spring football practice, GopherSports.com will be bringing you interviews with future Gophers who signed letters of intent earlier this year. Next up is Minnesota native Ed Olson. GopherSports.com caught up to Olson on the phone last week. The following is a transcript of that interview:

GopherSports.com: Now that signing day is over and you’ve had some time to reflect, has it all sunk in that you’re officially a Golden Gophers?
Ed Olson: Yeah, I had been really looking forward to that day. It feels great. I am really looking forward to getting started now.

GopherSports.com: Talk about the recruiting process and what made you decide to come to Minnesota?
Ed Olson: I have been going to Gopher games since I was little with my grandpa and my dad. My dad played for the Gophers in the 1980’s. I have always been a huge Gopher fan and have always wanted to go to the U since I was little.

GopherSports.com: Can you talk more about your Dad and his influence on you?
Ed Olson: He has told me plenty of stories about playing at the U. He had a lot of fun. He has coached me since I was little. He gave me tips on how they played when he was a Gopher. I am really looking forward to playing for the Gophers.

GopherSports.com: Was he a role model growing up?
Ed Olson: Definitely, because he also played center and I have played center my whole life up until last year when I moved up to tackle.

GopherSports.com: How exciting was it for you to get your offer and then to sign the letter of intent?
Ed Olson: I got the offer when I was at school. The Gophers emailed me and I contacted my dad right away. I got out of school and called Coach Brewster he offered it right there. They said that I didn’t have to commit right now but I called my dad and he came to my school with my brother and my mom. I told them that I wanted to be a Gopher. I called Coach Brewster five minutes later and I committed. It was really exciting.

GopherSports.com: Are you ever compared to your father in style of play?
Ed Olson: Everyone says that we have the same personalities. We are both pretty nasty on the field. We both stay on our blocks until the whistle and we get at it. 

GopherSports.com: Is there anyone you like to emulate or pattern your game after?
Ed Olson: Jake Long, Joe Thomas, and Jonathan Ogden. I love their pass blocking. I just try to be like them.

GopherSports.com: How much did you enjoy playing with your brother during high school?
Ed Olson: I really enjoyed it. It was the time of my life. We grew up playing together. He would always move up on my team and my dad would coach us. Since I can remember, we have been playing together. It is going to be weird next year not playing with him but he will be with me again in a couple of years. It will be fun. 

GopherSports.com: Do you have any fun stories of you and your brother, do you compete against each other?
Ed Olson: Every day we have competitions. We always play out in the yard and sometimes bring pads home and do a little one on one.

GopherSports.com: What are your thoughts on TCF Bank Stadium?
Ed Olson: I really like it. I have toured it a couple of times.  The locker room is sick. The stadium and the scoreboard are huge. It is going to be awesome playing there.

GopherSports.com: Do you realize you’ll be part of the first class to play your entire Minnesota career at the new stadium?
Ed Olson: It makes me feel great. It is an honor to join the team and be one of the first to run out on that field. It will be a great day running out there for the first time.

GopherSports.com: What are your goals for your first season with the Gophers?
Ed Olson: Just to do whatever I can to contribute to the team. I want to get stronger, faster and bigger. Overall, I just want to be a good teammate.
 
GopherSports.com: What are your long-term goals for your college career?
Ed Olson: I would love to start and play. Just to play would be great.

GopherSports.com: What have been up to since Signing Day?
Ed Olson: I have been hanging out a lot. A couple of buddies, my brother and I have a trainer. We work out everyday and it is pretty tough. We work out hard, but we also still have fun.

GopherSports.com: Do you play any other sports?
Ed Olson: No. I played basketball and baseball up until last year. But when I got offered, I stopped and just focused on football and started lifting really hard and running.

GopherSports.com: What’s your favorite thing to do if you have a day to yourself to do anything you want?
Ed Olson: Hang out with a couple of guys, play some video games and just relax.

GopherSports.com: What music are you listening to most right now?
Ed Olson: Just anything. A little country and a little rap. Anything that is on, I will listen to.

GopherSports.com: Seen a good movie lately? Favorite movie or movies ever?
Ed Olson: The last movie I saw was “Taken.” Some of my favorite funny movies are Wedding Crashers, Tommy Boy, Dumb and Dumber. I like all of those kinds of movies.

GopherSports.com: Favorite type of food? If you had to choose your favorite meal, what would it be?
Ed Olson: Steak or meatloaf. For sure a big steak, mashed potatoes, big salad, big glass of ice water and bread.

GopherSports.com: What’s Can’t miss TV for you?
Ed Olson: I watch SportsCenter every morning. This is embarrassing, but I watch Desperate Housewives with my mom. I also like to watch Family Guy.

GopherSports.com: Talk about you and your mom
Ed Olson: We have a great relationship. She is always home with my brother and I and she always hangs out with us.

GopherSports.com: Is there anything you’d like to stay to Gopher fans who will be reading this?
Ed Olson: It is an honor to play for the Gophers. I am going to try my best and hopefully I will get the opportunity to play. It will be a lot of fun.

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