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Photo by: Brad Rempel
Schmitz Drafted in Second Round, Taken by New York Giants with 57th Pick
4/28/2023 9:10:00 PM | Football
Minnesota has now had a first or second round pick in four straight drafts (2020-23), which is something that has not happened since 1942-45
University of Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz heard his name called in the 2023 NFL Draft on Friday. Minnesota's All-American center was selected in the second round with the 57th overall pick by the New York Giants.
Schmitz is the highest Minnesota center to be drafted since 1989 when Brian Williams was taken 18th in the first round by the Giants. Schmitz is the 26th Gopher all-time to be taken by the Giants. Only the Green Bay Packers – who have drafted 40 Minnesota players – have selected more Gophers than the Giants.
Schmitz in the third Minnesota center ever to be drafted in the first two rounds, joining Williams and Clayton Tonnemaker who drafted fourth overall by the Packers in 1950.
With Schmitz going in the second round, Minnesota has now had a first or second round pick in four straight drafts (2020-23). The last time that happened was 1942-45.
Minnesota has also now had at least one draft pick in the last five drafts (2019-23). The last time that happened was 2004-08.
Schmitz's selection is also notable in that Minnesota has now had offensive lineman taken in consecutive drafts, as Daniel Faalele was drafted in 2022 in the fourth round by Baltimore. The last time Minnesota had offensive lineman selected in consecutive drafts was 2001-2002 (center Ben Hamilton was taken in the fourth round in 2001 by Denver and tackle Adam Haayer was drafted in sixth round by Tennessee, while Matt Anderle was drafted in the sixth round in 2002 by San Diego).
Schmitz played in 57 career games for the Gophers and made 35 starts at center. In 2022, he was named a First-Team All-American by the AP and FWAA and a second-teamer by the AFCA and Walter Camp Football Foundation. He was the first Gopher to be a First-Team All-American since Antoine Winfield Jr., in 2019 and the first offensive lineman since Greg Eslinger in 2005. A finalist for the Rimington Trophy and semifinalist for the Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award, Schmitz was PFF's highest-graded offensive lineman during the 2022 season.
Schmitz, who was named Academic All-Big Ten five times, was also named an Academic All-American in 2022. He was the fifth Gopher ever to be named an Academic All-American and also an All-American for his on-field play. He joined Bob Hobert (1956), Bob Stein (1968), Eslinger (2004 and 2005) and Maxx Williams (2014) in being named an All-American for academics and athletics.
Schmitz is the highest Minnesota center to be drafted since 1989 when Brian Williams was taken 18th in the first round by the Giants. Schmitz is the 26th Gopher all-time to be taken by the Giants. Only the Green Bay Packers – who have drafted 40 Minnesota players – have selected more Gophers than the Giants.
Schmitz in the third Minnesota center ever to be drafted in the first two rounds, joining Williams and Clayton Tonnemaker who drafted fourth overall by the Packers in 1950.
With Schmitz going in the second round, Minnesota has now had a first or second round pick in four straight drafts (2020-23). The last time that happened was 1942-45.
Minnesota has also now had at least one draft pick in the last five drafts (2019-23). The last time that happened was 2004-08.
Schmitz's selection is also notable in that Minnesota has now had offensive lineman taken in consecutive drafts, as Daniel Faalele was drafted in 2022 in the fourth round by Baltimore. The last time Minnesota had offensive lineman selected in consecutive drafts was 2001-2002 (center Ben Hamilton was taken in the fourth round in 2001 by Denver and tackle Adam Haayer was drafted in sixth round by Tennessee, while Matt Anderle was drafted in the sixth round in 2002 by San Diego).
Schmitz played in 57 career games for the Gophers and made 35 starts at center. In 2022, he was named a First-Team All-American by the AP and FWAA and a second-teamer by the AFCA and Walter Camp Football Foundation. He was the first Gopher to be a First-Team All-American since Antoine Winfield Jr., in 2019 and the first offensive lineman since Greg Eslinger in 2005. A finalist for the Rimington Trophy and semifinalist for the Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award, Schmitz was PFF's highest-graded offensive lineman during the 2022 season.
Schmitz, who was named Academic All-Big Ten five times, was also named an Academic All-American in 2022. He was the fifth Gopher ever to be named an Academic All-American and also an All-American for his on-field play. He joined Bob Hobert (1956), Bob Stein (1968), Eslinger (2004 and 2005) and Maxx Williams (2014) in being named an All-American for academics and athletics.
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