Minnesota Gophers Look to Rebuild Their Offensive Line

Any discussion of the Minnesota Gophers 2022 offensive line has to start with senior center John Michal Schmitz. The returning second-team Big Ten selection will be the anchor of this unit. Schmitz has already been named to the Walter Camp preseason All-America Team and will no doubt be a finalist for the Rimington Award which is awarded to the best center in each division of college football. Look for his name to be called next May at the 2022 NFL Draft.

Replacing Olson at the left guard position will be senior Axel Ruschmeyer. The Hutchinson Minnesota native has large shoes to fill but he does have some experience starting on the offensive line. He started three games in 2021 and was also a key part of Minnesota’s jumbo package last year. Due to injuries, he also started six games during the 2020 season.

Former Michigan Wolverine Chuck Filiaga appears to have the inside track on the starting right guard position. He spent five years in Ann Arbor and started 39 games in that time span. He took snaps at both left and right guard at Michigan and also contributed on special teams. Returning senior Nathan Boe and Utah State transfer Karter Shaw will provide depth at the guard and center positions.

Minnnesota Gophers Rebuild at the Tackles

Red-shirt sophomore Aireontae Ersery is slated to take over for Schlueter at the blind-side tackle position. He started one game in 2020 but played sparingly last season.  Red-shirt Junior J.J. Guedet will provide backup to Ersery and will step in if he falters. Right tackle will be manned by Notre Dame transfer Quinn Carroll. He appeared in 27 games for the Irish during the past two seasons. He is the son of former Gophers and Vikings tight-end Jay Carroll.

Coach Fleck hopes that his front five meld into a strong unit as the season progresses.  He and Gophers Nation hope that the return of offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca rejuvenates an offense that had serious trouble moving the ball through the air last year. If the new offense line comes together as hoped, his task will become significantly easier.

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