.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
Future Gopher Q&A: Tommy Olson
6/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
GopherSports.com will be posting interviews with all the newest Gophers from the 2011 signing class throughout the remainder of the spring and summer. The next profile in the series is a conversation with Mahtomedi High School product Tommy Olson. He is the younger brother of current Gopher offensive lineman Ed Olson Jr. and the son of former Gopher offensive lineman Ed Olson.
Tommy Olson was ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the state of Minnesota by Rivals.com. He was the No. 14 offensive guard in the nation, according to ESPN/Scouts Inc. He was the No. 85 prospect overall in the nation, according to Scout.com. ESPN/Scouts Inc. listed him as a four-star recruit, while he earned a three-star rank from Rivals.com and Scout.com.
| Tommy Olson |
GopherSports.com: How excited are you to be playing on the same team as your brother?
Tommy Olson: "I played two years with him in high school and it was the time of my life. I am just hoping that the year I have with him for the Gophers is even better and I'm really looking forward to it."
GopherSports.com: What other schools had you been considering as well as Minnesota?
Tommy Olson: "I didn't really consider anything else beside Minnesota. Growing up, I always wanted to play for the Gophers. I heard from a couple of other schools but I didn't really think about it that hard."
GopherSports.com: What made you want to come to Minnesota?
Tommy Olson: "My Dad played here, too. Growing up I always wanted to be a Gopher. I went to games when I was like two years old. We had tickets forever. I've always just wanted to play here."
GopherSports.com: When did you decide that you wanted to play Division I football?
Tommy Olson: "It kind of hit me my freshman year of high school when I made the varsity team. I started my freshman year and it kind of hit me that football could be something I could do for a while."
GopherSports.com: What are some of your goals for your first season as a Golden Gopher?
Tommy Olson: "I just want to go in there, compete and see what I can do. I want to work really hard and try to impress the coaches. Expect the worst and hope for the best."
GopherSports.com: What are some of your long-term goals for your college career?
Tommy Olson: "Long-term goal is to win a Rose Bowl. That is number one. Earn a starting spot. Playing next to my brother would be sweet. That's something I have always wanted to do: play with the Gophers and my brother. I'm going to try to live it up."
GopherSports.com: What are you most looking forward to in college?
Tommy Olson: "I have some friends of mine who will be there. It will be fun being with them. I am just looking forward to the whole college experience."
GopherSports.com: What is your favorite football memory?
Tommy Olson: "Beating Totino-Grace for our homecoming football game this year. They were ranked 18th in the country and we pulled a big upset and beat them."
GopherSports.com: Is there anyone that you've idolized throughout your football career? If so, who and why?
Tommy Olson: "The Pouncey brothers from Florida. I have always looked up to them. And Jeff Saturday, the center for the Indianapolis Colts. They're really good, so I try to model my game after them."
GopherSports.com: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
Tommy Olson: "I have a couple. I have to shower before every game and eat Jimmy John's. I wear the same flip-flops to the game. I have the same stuff I wear to every game and wear after every game."
GopherSports.com: Do you play any other sports along with football?
Tommy Olson: "I used to play basketball and baseball but I gave them up for football. I played each of them until this past year."
GopherSports.com: What have you been up to lately?
Tommy Olson: "I have been lifting as much as I can, running, and trying to get into shape. Trying to learn all the lingo down at the U and trying to get an idea of the offense and stuff."
GopherSports.com: What is some of your favorite music to listen to?
Tommy Olson: "Some of my favorites are Garth Brooks and Kenny Chesney. I love country music. And Incubus."
GopherSports.com: What are your favorite movies?
Tommy Olson: "Probably Wedding Crashers, Dumb and Dumber, Friday Night Lights, Forgetting Sarah Marshall."
GopherSports.com: Do you have any 'must-see' television shows you have to watch?
Tommy Olson: "I am a big American Idol fan and Jersey Shore. I love Jersey Shore."
GopherSports.com: Do you have anything else you'd like to say to Gopher fans that are reading this?
Tommy Olson: "I am ready to win a Rose Bowl!"
-Interview by Athletic Communications Student Assistant Kate Wadman
