Jan. 13, 2021: It was announced Wednesday, Jan. 12, that veteran Michigan offensive lineman Chuck Filiaga would be transferring to the University of Minnesota.
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P.J. Fleck and the Gophers continue to be busy in the transfer portal this offseason. Michigan offensive lineman Chuck Filiaga is already Minnesota’s sixth addition from the portal. Filiaga, listed at 6-foot-6, 330 pounds arrived in Ann Arbor as a 4-star top-100 recruit in the class of 2017. Hailing from Aledo, Tex. he appeared in 39 career games for the Maize & Blue, starting eight at left guard and three at right guard. He will now have one season of eligibility to play a large role on the Gophers’ rebuilding offensive line.
According to reports, the #Gophers have received another massive transfer commitment along the offensive line!!!!
6-foot-6. 330 pound Michigan-transfer and former top-100 recruit Chuck Filaga will be joining a quickly improving offensive line. #RTB
–>https://t.co/SgCUsAur1W pic.twitter.com/OhdNvLQDmO
— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) January 12, 2022
Who is Chuck Filiaga?:
- Scouting Report
Listed a 6-foot-6, 330+ pounds, Filiaga is a big interior offensive lineman. With the size of a tackle, he looks most comfortable inside playing guard. His strength is definitely in run blocking as a physically imposing road-grader, but he has shown the ability to be an effective pass blocker as well. There is a reason why he started 11 career games for Michigan, and he should have every chance to top that total in 2022 with the Gophers.
Highlights: (High School)
Instant Reaction:
The Gophers’ offensive line was viewed as one of the biggest question marks heading into this offseason. With the possibility of all five starters leaving for the NFL it looked grim. Fast forward to now, John Michael Schmitz has announced his return, Quinn Carroll has joined the team, and now Filiaga has added more depth to the unit. I believe the addition of Carroll answered the question mark, while the addition of Filiaga gives the offensive line a chance to replicate the success they had in 2021. Offensive line coach Brian Callahan has proven to be a terrific developer of talent, and he now has at least three players with NFL talent.
As for adding a sixth player from the transfer portal, it is great to see this program being active in that area. I think any college program that does not accept the transfer portal will be left behind. Like it or not, it is a major part of the game and it will be for a long time. The Gophers have done a terrific job so far, and I don’t think they’re done yet.
What is next?:
With Filiaga’s talent and experience, I would be shocked if he does not start at one of the guard positions next season. Axel Ruschemeyer has not officially announced his plans to return for a sixth season, but if he does, I believe that the starting five might be locked up. Quinn Carroll is reportedly recovering from an injury, but he should be more than ready by fall camp. I think they have eight starting-caliber players, so depth should not be an issue if someone were to go down. In 2022 I fully expect this team to lean heavily on what should once again be the strength of the roster.
Potential Lineup:
LT: Aireontae Ersery (3rd)
LG: Axel Ruschmeyer (6th year)
C: John Michael Schmitz (6th year)
RG: Chuck Filiaga (6th year)
RT: Quinn Caroll (3rd year)
Bench:
- J.J. Guedet (4th year)
- Nathan Boe (5th year)
- K. Shaw (5th year)
As for, more additions from the transfer portal, I could see linebacker be a position of need, another defensive back, or even another defensive lineman. I would guess that they’re far from being finished building this roster for next season.