John Michael Schmitz

Experience: 3 years

Height: 6-4

Age: 26

Weight: 320 lbs

College: Minnesota

Biography

In two seasons, Schmitz has started all 28 regular-season games in which he played at center.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

In two seasons, Schmitz has started all 28 regular-season games in which he played at center.
In 2024, started each of the first 15 games at center…Inactive for the season's final two games with an ankle injury.
As a rookie in 2023, started all 13 games in which he played at center…Schmitz's 13 starts at center were the most by an NFL rookie in 2023…When Schmitz started vs. Dallas (9/10/23), he became the first rookie center to start a season opener for the Giants since Derek Engler in 1997.
In addition to Schmitz, rookie cornerbacks Deonte Banks (1st round) and Tre Hawkins III (6th round) started the opener…The Giants started three rookie draft choices in their season opener for the first time since 2018, when running back Saquon Barkley, left guard Will Hernandez, and defensive lineman B.J. Hill all played the first snap.

COLLEGE

Spent six seasons at Minnesota, a redshirt year in 2017 and five seasons on the field…Played in 57 games with 35 starts…Academic All-Big Ten in five consecutive seasons (2018-22)…Schmitz was the 5th Gopher ever to be both an All-American for his play on the field and an Academic All-American, joining Bob Hobert (1956), Bob Stein (1968), Greg Eslinger (2004, 2005), and Maxx Williams (2014).
In 2022, started all 12 regular-season games at center…Opted out of the Pinstripe Bowl and accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl…Selected AP and FWAA first-team All-American.
Voted first-team All-Big Ten by coaches and media…In 2021, started all 13 games at center…Selected second-team All-Big Ten by the conference coaches and third-team by the media…In the abbreviated 2020 season, started six games at center.
In 2019, played in 13 games, including his first four career starts…Received the school's RTB Trust Award…Made his first career start at center vs. Nebraska and helped the Gophers rush for 322 yards and 4 touchdowns.
As a redshirt freshman in 2018, played in all 13 games, primarily on special teams…Made his collegiate debut vs. New Mexico State…Redshirted in 2017.

PERSONAL

Son of John and Deborah Schmitz…Married to Daniella…Has 2 older sisters (Gabrielle and Hannah) and one younger brother (Jack)…Graduated with a degree in sport management…Grew up on the South Side of Chicago.
Initially attended Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, where he played defensive end on the freshman team…As a sophomore, Schmitz moved up to varsity and was a two-way starter on the offensive and defensive lines…Seeking to play for a larger program, he transferred to Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, IL…Started at left tackle his junior and senior seasons when the Vikings were 20-3 and averaged more than 40 points a game.
As a senior, named IHSFCA 8A all-state and earned all-state honors from the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette and Chicago Tribune…Selected to the Southwestern Suburban all-conference team…Also lettered in wrestling.
Originally committed to play for coach P.J. Fleck at Western Michigan…When Fleck was named the coach at Minnesota, Schmitz, who never visited the Minnesota campus but had a strong desire to play in the Big Ten, was one of several recruits to follow Fleck to Minneapolis.

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