Grant Schmidt, a 6-7, 290-pound junior offensive tackle from Sioux Falls (SD) Roosevelt, has already received a scholarship offer from Minnesota and is one of the top recruiting targets from the class of 2015. Gopher Hole caught up with Schmidt to learn the latest on his recruitment.
Gopher Hole: How is the season going so far for Roosevelt?
Grant Schmidt: Pretty good. We lost a game to Lincoln. We were #1 in the State. They were #2, so we basically just flip-flopped. We didn’t play very well. We can play a lot better and we only lost by seven, so that is encouraging.
Gopher Hole: How about your individual play? How do you think that you have done so far this year?
Grant Schmidt: I have had a really good year this year. I had some troubles with my hip strain and a headache, so I gave up a sack, which is frustrating because I was trying not to give up one this whole season. It happened and it is just one of those things you have to work through, but other than that, I think that my overall play has been good.
Gopher Hole: What is the latest on your recruitment right now? How many offers are you up to right now?
Grant Schmidt: Right now, I have three offers. One from South Dakota State. One from Washington State and one from Minnesota.
Gopher Hole: What others schools are you hearing from besides those three?
Grant Schmidt: Pretty much everybody. I didn’t make it out to very many camps this year. I made to the Minnesota late camp, just because of my hamstring. I tore it pretty good in Nebraska. That stings.
Gopher Hole: What are your plans for next year’s camps? Have you thought that far?
Grant Schmidt: I thought a little bit. I think that it is going to have a lot to do on how many offers I have. how the rest of this junior season goes and where I really want to narrow in as far as academics.
Gopher Hole: What do you see as your strengths as a football player?
Grant Schmidt: I think that my strengths are size, length and probably athleticism. Those are my three things. I played basketball. When I was younger, I was always kind of the lankier, taller kid. I have always been pretty fast and stuff and I really think that is an advantage, including when I keep packing on size, that I keep that.
Gopher Hole: What things are you continuing to work on to improve yourself as a player?
Grant Schmidt: I think that I really need to work on some upper body strength some more. I am kind of a lanky guy. I kind of need to build up more in that area. As I get older, I think that will come, too. That and leverage, pad-level. Sometimes I get a little bit higher in my blocks, especially when I get a little excited in a game. I need to stay low and come off.
Gopher Hole: What are you hearing from the Gophers? What are they saying to you?
Grant Schmidt: I think that they are really excited about the future with me. The length and athleticism that I can provide on the edge, but I still have size and run blocking, too. Right now, I am playing up-tempo spread offense with a two-point stance, but I can work on a three. I think that they really like my versatility.
Gopher Hole: What would it mean to play for Minnesota, because obviously Sioux Falls is only a three hour drive? What would it mean to have your friends and family be able to see you play?
Grant Schmidt: It would be nice. It would be nice to have the proximity. I have been up to Minneapolis a lot. I have some family that lives just an hour away, so it is a place that I could call home.