Joey Gerlach

Photo by: Brad Rempel

Photo by: Brace Hemmelgarn

Photo by: Kelly Hagenson

Position:
LB
Ht./Wt.:
6-3 / 225
Hometown:
Woodbury, Minn.
High School:
Woodbury
Years in College / At Minnesota:
4 / 4
Remaining Eligibility Entering 2025 Season:
2 years
Letters:
2
Class:
Redshirt Junior

PRONUNCIATION

HONORS:
Academic All-Big Ten (2025, 2024, 2023)
CSC Academic All-District (2024, 2023)

2025 • JUNIOR SEASON: Competed in nine games and made 11 tackles. Game-by-Game: Made one tackle against Buffalo • led Minnesota with five tackles against Northwestern State • saw action at Cal • started against Rutgers • registered one tackle at Ohio State • made one tackle against Purdue • played versus Nebraska • finished with three tackles at Iowa • played against Michigan State • missed the final four games of the season with an injury.

2024 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Played in all 13 games and made 15 tackles. Game-by-Game: Made one tackle against North Carolina • tallied one tackle against Rhode Island • notched one tackle against Nevada • saw action against Iowa • played at Michigan and against USC • notched four tackles at UCLA • had two tackles against Maryland • made two tackles at Illinois • competed at Rutgers • played against Penn State • totaled two tackles at Wisconsin • had two tackles against Virginia Tech.

2023 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Played in all 13 games, seeing most of his action on special teams • made one tackle. Game-by-Game: Made his Minnesota debut against Nebraska • saw action against Eastern Michigan and at North Carolina • competed at Northwestern and against Louisiana • saw action against Michigan and at Iowa • played against Michigan State • played against Illinois and at Purdue • competed at Ohio State and against Wisconsin • made one tackle against Bowling Green.

2022: Redshirted • did not see game action.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Woodbury High School in Woodbury, Minn. • wore No. 6 for the Royals • as a senior, made 76 tackles, three tackles for loss, broke up 11 passes, forced three fumbles and made two interceptions • played on the South team in the Minnesota Football Showcase • as a junior, carded 35 tackles, one sack, made three interceptions and returned one for a touchdown • coached by Andy Hill • three-star recruit • ESPN listed him as the No. 7 prospect in Minnesota.

PERSONAL: Son of Adam and Bryanna Gerlach • has two siblings (Gabby and Beau) • father, Adam, played college hockey at Minnesota State • uncles, Bobby Grandas (tight end) and Brody Grandas (defensive back), played college football at Minnesota in the 2000s • aunt, Bridget Grandas, played college soccer at Iowa State.