The Gophers season opener is just over a week away and the preseason accolades continue to pour in for seniors John Michael Schmitz and Mo Ibrahim. The Athletic named Schmitz to its First Team All-American list and Abrahim named to the Second Team All-American.
ESPN named its Top 100 College Football Players, with Schmitz at #73 and Ibrahim at #28.
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C John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota: The 6-4, 320-pound Schmitz has made 23 starts in 44 games entering his sixth season for the Golden Gophers. Last season, he gave up one sack and four pressures in 295 pass-block snaps, per TruMedia, and he’s PFF’s highest-graded returning center.
28. Mo Ibrahim, Minnesota
Notable 2020 stats:1,078 yards, 15 TDs
Last year’s ranking: 55
Minnesota lost running backs Ky Thomas and Mar’Keise Irving this offseason, so Ibrahim is going to be counted on even more than he already was. His season was cut short in 2021 when he injured his achilles in the season opener. Ibrahim is motivated to come back this season and once again lead the team in rush yards the way he did in 2020.
73. John Michael Schmitz
Notable 2021 stat: 1 pressure allowed in 289 pass-block snaps
Last year’s ranking: NR
Schmitz started all 13 games at center for Minnesota last season. Schmitz and the rest of the Golden Gophers’ offensive line helped allow the team to average 25.5 points per game. Schmitz is on both the preseason watch lists for the Lombardi Award and Rimington Award.