Daniel Faalele

Photo by: Kelly Hagenson

Photo by: Eric Miller

Position:
OL
Ht./Wt.:
6-9 / 380
Hometown:
Melbourne, Australia
High School:
IMG Academy
Letters:
3
Class:
Senior

PRONUNCIATION

HONORS:
2022 Senior Bowl participant
All-Big Ten First Team (2021, coaches)
All-Big Ten Third Team (2021, media)
Associated Press All-Big Ten Second Team (2021)
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Finalist (2021)
Academic All-Big Ten (2021, 2020)
All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (2019, 2018)
Outstanding Offensive Freshman (2018)

CAREER: Forgoing remaining eligibility and will enter the 2022 NFL Draft • played right tackle and started 31 of the 34 career games he competed in • Minnesota was 23-11 in games he competed in.

2021 • SENIOR SEASON: Started 12 of 13 games at right tackle and blocked for an offense that totaled 4,681 yards and averaged 25.46 points per game • rushed for one touchdown, a two-yard plunge against West Virginia. Game-by-Game: Started against Ohio State and blocked for an offense that produced 31 points, 408 total yards (203 rushing, 205 passing) and 24 first downs • started against Miami and protected for an offense that rushed for two touchdowns and passed for two scores • started at Colorado and blocked for an offense that rushed for four touchdowns and totaled 441 (277 rushing, 164 passing) yards of offense • started against Bowling Green • started at Purdue and protected for an offense that gained 294 yards and did not allow a sack • played in a reserve role against Nebraska and blocked for an offense that totaled 396 yards and scored 30 points • started against Maryland and protected for an offense that did not allow a sack and one that scored 34 points and totaled 451 yards (326 rushing, 125 passing) • blocked for an offense that did not allow a sack at Northwestern and one that rushed for four touchdowns and totaled 442 yards of offense (308 rushing and 134 passing) in 40:09 with the ball • started against Illinois • started and blocked for an offense that ran 83 plays and totaled 409 yards of offense (189 rushing and 220 passing) at Iowa • blocked for an offense that passed for 196 yards and two touchdowns and one that rushed for 195 yards and three touchdowns at Indiana • paved the way for Minnesota to total 274 yards in a win against Wisconsin, which included 18.1 yards per completion • scored a two-yard rushing touchdown (first score of the game) against West Virginia in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl and also blocked for an offense that totaled 358 yards in an 18-6 win.

2020 • JUNIOR SEASON: Did not compete.

2019 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Started 11 games at right tackle (missed the Nebraska and Auburn games with an injury) and helped block for an offense that totaled 5,616 yards (third most in school history), threw for 3,293 yards (school record) and scored 443 points (second most in school history in the modern era). Game-by-Game: Started at right tackle against South Dakota State • blocked for an offense that totaled 380 yards at Fresno State and one that threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns against Georgia Southern • protected for an offense that threw for 396 yards (most in a game since 2009) and four touchdowns at Purdue • blocked for a balanced offense against Illinois, as team totaled 487 yards (15 passing, 332 rushing) and five touchdowns (3 passing, 2 rushing) • missed the Nebraska game with an injury • blocked for an offense that gained 443 yards and allowed zero sacks at Rutgers • blocked for an offense that scored 52 points, totaled 498 yards and did not allow a sack against Maryland • protected for an offense that completed 90% of its passes (18-of-20) and threw for 339 yards and three touchdowns against Penn State • provided protection for an offense that threw for 368 yards and one touchdown at Iowa • protected for an offense that rushed for 212 yards and one touchdown and threw for 211 yards and four touchdowns at Northwestern • started against Wisconsin, but left the game with an injury • missed the Outback Bowl against Auburn with an injury.

2018 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Played in 10 games and started the final eight of the season at right tackle • blocked for an offense that averaged 28.9 points per game (tied for second most in a season since 2005) and one that rushed for 23 touchdowns and threw for 20 touchdowns (first time since 2006 Minnesota reached 20 passing and rushing touchdowns in a season). Game-by-Game: Made his Minnesota and collegiate debut against New Mexico State • played on offense during the second half against Iowa and protected for a unit that rushed and passed for touchdown • made his first career start and blocked for an offense that totaled 396 yards on 56 plays – a 7.1 yards per play average – at Ohio State • enabled Zack Annexstad and Tanner Morgan to pass for a combined 349 yards at Nebraska, which was the most for the Gophers in a Big Ten game since Adam Weber threw for 416 yards against Michigan State in 2009 and was the most in a Big Ten road game since Asad Abdul-Khaliq threw for 388 yards at Iowa in 2003 • protected for an offense that generated 482 yards (302 passing and 180 rushing) and scored 38 points against Indiana • started at Illinois and blocked for an offense that passed for 260 yards • helped pave the way for Minnesota to gain 415 yards of total offense against Purdue • started against Northwestern • allowed zero sacks and blocked for an offense that rushed for 201 yards and three touchdowns in a win at Wisconsin • helped pave the way for Minnesota to rush for 260 yards and two touchdowns and throw for two touchdowns against Georgia Tech.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended IMG Academy in Brandenton, Fla. • wore No. 78 for the Ascenders • helped IMG Academy to an undefeated season in 2017, which was his first season of playing competitive football • anchored an offense that averaged 27.8 points and 177 rushing yards per game • competed in the 2018 Under Armour All-America Game • was at IMG Academy in 2016, but only practiced with the team as he became acclimated to the sport • coached by Kevin Wright • a four-star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports • No. 22 offensive tackle and No. 62 recruit in Florida by Rivals • enrolled at Minnesota in January 2018

PERSONAL: Son of Ruth Faalele • has one brother (Taylor).