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Photo by: Eric Miller
Schmitz Added to Rimington Trophy Watch List
12/3/2020 2:17:00 PM | Football
Minnesota center ranks as one of the best in the nation
University of Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz was added to the Rimington Trophy Watch List today. The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding center in NCAA FBS football.
Schmitz has started all five games this year for the Gophers and is ranked second by Pro Football Focus (PFF) in run block grade among all FBS centers at 88.6. His overall PFF grade of 87.4 ranks him fifth in the nation.
The Flossmoor, Ill., native played in 13 games last year and started four at center. He blocked for an offense that totaled 5,616 yards (third most in school history), 3,293 passing yards (school record), 294 first downs (second most in school history), 443 points (second most in school history) and a scoring average of 34.1 points per game (three most in school history).
Schmitz is a redshirt junior who earned the team's RTB Trust Award last season. He is also an Academic All-Big Ten performer, having earned the distinction in both 2019 and 2018.
Schmitz has started all five games this year for the Gophers and is ranked second by Pro Football Focus (PFF) in run block grade among all FBS centers at 88.6. His overall PFF grade of 87.4 ranks him fifth in the nation.
The Flossmoor, Ill., native played in 13 games last year and started four at center. He blocked for an offense that totaled 5,616 yards (third most in school history), 3,293 passing yards (school record), 294 first downs (second most in school history), 443 points (second most in school history) and a scoring average of 34.1 points per game (three most in school history).
Schmitz is a redshirt junior who earned the team's RTB Trust Award last season. He is also an Academic All-Big Ten performer, having earned the distinction in both 2019 and 2018.
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