Axel Ruschmeyer

Photo by: Brad Rempel

Position:
OL
Ht./Wt.:
6-4 / 305
Hometown:
Hutchinson, Minn.
High School:
Holy Family Catholic
Years in College / At Minnesota:
6 / 6
Remaining Eligibility Entering 2025 Season:
1 year
Letters:
3
Class:
Sixth Year

PRONUNCIATION

HONORS:
All-Big Ten Third Team (2022, coaches and media)
Academic All-Big Ten (2022, 2021, 2020)

2022: Started all 13 games at left guard • blocked for an offense that rushed for 2,698 yards and 33 touchdowns and one that passed for 2,369 yards and 12 touchdowns. Game-by-Game: Started at left guard against New Mexico State and helped pave the way for the offense to gain 485 total yards and rush for five touchdowns • helped pave the way for Minnesota to gain 679 yards of offense (third most in school history) against Western Illinois • started against Colorado • protected for an offense that totaled 508 yards of offense (240 rushing, 268 passing), 32 first downs and 34 points and did not allow a sack • started against Purdue, at Illinois and at Penn State • did not allow a sack and protected for an offense that controlled the ball for 41:02 and racked up 375 yards of offense against Rutgers • started at Nebraska and blocked for an offense that totaled 300 yards of offense • did not allow a sack and paved the way for Minnesota to rush for 302 yards and four touchdowns against Northwestern • did not allow a sack as Minnesota rushed for 312 yards against Iowa • blocked for an offense that gained 416 total yards (319 passing) at Wisconsin • started against Syracuse.

2021 • SENIOR SEASON: Started three of 13 games • saw extensive action when Minnesota went to its jumbo package • blocked for an offense that totaled 4,681 yards and averaged 25.46 points per game. 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 • competed against Miami and protected for an offense that rushed for two touchdowns and passed for two scores • competed at Colorado (lined up at fullback and on the offensive line) and blocked for an offense that rushed for 277 yards and four touchdowns • competed against Bowling Green • saw significant action at Purdue and protected for an offense that gained 294 yards and did not allow a sack • made his first start of the season against Nebraska and blocked for an offense that totaled 396 yards and scored 30 points • played 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 • competed against Illinois • 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 • played against West Virginia and helped lead Minnesota to 249 rushing yards and an 18-6 win in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

2020 • JUNIOR SEASON: Started all six games he played in at left guard. Game-by-Game: Started against Michigan • started at Maryland before leaving the game with an injury • blocked for an offense that totaled 541 yards (325 rushing and 216 passing) and 41 points at Illinois • started against Iowa • blocked for an offense that totaled 394 yards (264 passing; 130 rushing and five rushing TDs) against Purdue and did not allow a sack • missed the Nebraska game • started at Wisconsin and protected for an offense that gained 326 yards.

2019 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Played in five games and made collegiate debut on the offensive line against Illinois • competed against Nebraska, at Rutgers and against Maryland • played in the Outback Bowl and recovered one fumble in a win against Auburn.

2018 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Did not see game action.

2017: Redshirted.

HIGH SCHOOL: Two-time All-District lineman • named District Defensive Line MVP in 2016 • recorded 79 tackles including 10 for a loss with one sack and three forced fumbles in 2016 • also lettered in hockey in high school.

PERSONAL: Son of Cory and Stacy Rushmeyer • has two brothers (Hunter and Jackson) and one sister (Brooke) • father Cory played football at the University of Minnesota.