Gophers center Schmitz named to Rimington watch list

By KSTP

Another University of Minnesota football player has been named to a major award watch list.

Friday, Gophers center John Michael Schmitz was named to the Rimington Award Watch List. The award is given each year to the country’s best center.

This year, the award committee worked with Pro Football Focus (PFF) to narrow down the watch list. Schmitz was ranked by PFF as the second-best center and fourth-best offensive lineman overall in the country.

Schmitz was named All-Big Ten Second Team last season by coaches and All-Big Ten Third Team by media. He’s also a four-time Academic All-Big Ten standout.

He’s played in 44 career games and started 23 of those at center for the Gophers.

Schmitz joins Gophers running back Mohamed Ibrahim as Minnesota players named to award watch lists. This week, Ibrahim was named to the Maxwell and Doak Walker award watch lists.