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2020 Vision: Offensive Line
6/24/2020 5:33:00 AM | Football
Minnesota's six returning starters protected for a historic offense last season
When Coach Fleck arrived at Minnesota, the Gophers were running spring practice drills in 2017 when sometimes four healthy offensive lineman.Â
Now, a little more than three years later, the Maroon and Gold are set to return all six (we'll explain) starting offensive lineman for the 2020 season. Five of those six lineman were named All-Big Ten last season. Blaise Andries was named All-Big Ten Third Tea, while Conner Olson, Sam Schlueter, Daniel Faalele and Curtis Dunlap Jr., all received All-Big Ten Honorable Mention accolades. Minnesota's sixth starter on the offensive line is John Michael Schmitz, who started four games at center last season.Â
The six combined players above have competed in 163 combined games for Minnesota and average 335 pounds. Faalele leads the group in height (6-9) and weight (400 pounds), while Schmitz is the shortest of the bunch at 6-4 and Olson is the lightest at 305 pounds.Â
The unit blocked for a historic offense last season as it 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).
Olson and Schlueter are both fifth-year seniors and are the most experienced of the group. Olson has started in all 38 games on his career at either center or guard, while Schlueter has started 26 games and played in 36.Â
Andries has started all 26 of the games he has played in, while Schmitz has also played in 26 games (most of his games played in 2018 were on special teams).Â
Faalele moved into the starting rotation in the middle of the 2018 season, while Dunlap redshirted in 2018 before becoming a mainstay on the line last year. Faalele has played in 21 career games, while Dunlap has seen action in 16.Â
Minnesota's only other offensive lineman who is an upperclassmen is Axel Ruschmeyer. The Hutchinson, Minn., native played in five games last year and made collegiate debut on the offensive line against Illinois. He also played in the Outback Bowl and recovered a critical fumble in the Outback Bowl against Auburn.Â
Nathan Boe played in two games last season, while Austin Beier, Tyler Cooper and JJ Guedet all saw action in one game. Cody Smith, who was a true freshman last season, did not compete.Â
Minnesota welcomed newcomers Tyrell Lawrence and Jackson Ruschmeyer (Axel's younger brother) in January, while freshmen Aireontae Ersery and Martes Lewis joined the team in June.Â
Â
Now, a little more than three years later, the Maroon and Gold are set to return all six (we'll explain) starting offensive lineman for the 2020 season. Five of those six lineman were named All-Big Ten last season. Blaise Andries was named All-Big Ten Third Tea, while Conner Olson, Sam Schlueter, Daniel Faalele and Curtis Dunlap Jr., all received All-Big Ten Honorable Mention accolades. Minnesota's sixth starter on the offensive line is John Michael Schmitz, who started four games at center last season.Â
The six combined players above have competed in 163 combined games for Minnesota and average 335 pounds. Faalele leads the group in height (6-9) and weight (400 pounds), while Schmitz is the shortest of the bunch at 6-4 and Olson is the lightest at 305 pounds.Â
The unit blocked for a historic offense last season as it 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).
Olson and Schlueter are both fifth-year seniors and are the most experienced of the group. Olson has started in all 38 games on his career at either center or guard, while Schlueter has started 26 games and played in 36.Â
Andries has started all 26 of the games he has played in, while Schmitz has also played in 26 games (most of his games played in 2018 were on special teams).Â
Faalele moved into the starting rotation in the middle of the 2018 season, while Dunlap redshirted in 2018 before becoming a mainstay on the line last year. Faalele has played in 21 career games, while Dunlap has seen action in 16.Â
Minnesota's only other offensive lineman who is an upperclassmen is Axel Ruschmeyer. The Hutchinson, Minn., native played in five games last year and made collegiate debut on the offensive line against Illinois. He also played in the Outback Bowl and recovered a critical fumble in the Outback Bowl against Auburn.Â
Nathan Boe played in two games last season, while Austin Beier, Tyler Cooper and JJ Guedet all saw action in one game. Cody Smith, who was a true freshman last season, did not compete.Â
Minnesota welcomed newcomers Tyrell Lawrence and Jackson Ruschmeyer (Axel's younger brother) in January, while freshmen Aireontae Ersery and Martes Lewis joined the team in June.Â
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