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Gophers center John Michael Schmitz passed over for Rimington Trophy

andy greder, pioneer press
·1 min read

The Gophers football program’s drought without a national individual award stretched to 16 years on Thursday.

Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz was passed over for the Rimington Trophy, which is given to the nation’s best center.

Michigan’s Olusegun Oluwatimi won the award during the College Football Awards Show in Bristol, Conn. Schmitz, Oluwatimi and Southern Cal’s Brett Neilon were the three finalists.

The Gophers haven’t had a national award winner since 2006 when Matt Spaeth won the John Mackey Award for best tight end.

Schmitz received the highest grade in the nation among centers (92.4) in 2022, per Pro Football Focus. Neilon was No. 2 at 90.2, and Oluwatimi was sixth at 80.8. Schmitz gave up two sacks and eight pressures all season, per PFF. Oluwatimi did not give up a sack and had nine pressures. Neilon also didn’t allow a sack and had eight pressures allowed.

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