Photo: Ben Blair
by: Daniel House
Minnesota wide receivers Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman have been named First Team All-Big Ten by the coaches and media. This is the first time in conference history that a single Big Ten school has two wide receivers on the First Team ballot together, according to Minnesota Football.
Johnson and Bateman posted a combined 131 catches, 2,284 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2019. They are the only duo in school history to each accumulate more than 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. Bateman and Johnson helped spark one of the most explosive passing attacks this program has ever produced. Johnson will be on the radar of NFL teams and has the versatility to play in the slot or outside. During his senior season, he hauled in 74 catches for 1,114 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 31 career touchdown catches tied Ron Johnson’s program record. Johnson solidified himself as one of the top wide receivers to ever wear maroon and gold.
Bateman also earned the Big Ten’s Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year award. He becomes the first Gopher wide receiver in school history to receive this honor. This is a huge achievement for Bateman, who notched 57 catches for 1,170 yards and 11 touchdowns during his sophomore season. He quickly solidified himself as one of the top wide receivers in the country. Bateman will only continue to improve and is on pace to shatter a long list of program records.
Sophomore quarterback Tanner Morgan was also named Second Team All-Big Ten by the coaches and media. Morgan was the seventh-most efficient passer (EPA) in the country, according to College Football Data. He set the school record for single-season passing yards (2,975) and touchdowns (28). Morgan also tossed a touchdown pass in 13 consecutive games, which is a new program record.
Redshirt senior running back Rodney Smith earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and media. After suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2018, Smith made a big impact in his return. The veteran running back tallied 212 carries for 1,094 yards and eight touchdowns. During his career with the Gophers, Smith posted 5,364 all-purpose yards, which eclipsed Darrell Thompson’s school record.
Finally, left guard Blaise Andries was named Third Team All-Big Ten by the coaches and media. The redshirt sophomore was an anchor of the Minnesota offensive line in 2019. When an injury occurred, Andries had the position flexibility to play tackle. He quickly developed and helped Minnesota average 180 rushing yards per game.
Right tackle Daniel Faalele, center Conner Olson, right guard Curtis Dunlap Jr. and left tackle Sam Schlueter each earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention awards. Every single member of the Gophers’ offensive line was recognized by the conference. Each of them will be returning next year and can build upon this season.