Gophers' John Michael Schmitz, Mohamed Ibrahim on football writers' All-America teams

Schmitz made the FWAA first team, while Ibrahim was selected to the second team.

December 9, 2022 at 6:21PM
Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) plays against Nebraska during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. Minnesota defeated Nebraska 20-13. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Gophers center John Michael Schmitz battled against Nebraska in November. (Rebecca S. Gratz, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Gophers center John Michael Schmitz was named first-team All-America by the Football Writers Association of America on Friday, while Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim received second-team honors.

Schmitz, a sixth-year senior from Flossmoor, Ill., was a Rimington Trophy finalist, awarded to the nation's top center, and a semifinalist for both the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Awards. Schmitz is the nation's top-graded center and interior offensive lineman by Pro Football Focus.

Ibrahim, returning from a torn Achilles' tendon suffered in the 2021 season opener, has rushed 304 times for 1,594 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. The sixth-year senior from Baltimore averaged 144.91 rushing yards per game, which ranks second nationally as does his rushing TD total.

Notre Dame sophomore offensive tackle Joe Alt, a former Totino-Grace standout from North Oaks, earned second-team honors.

Schmitz and Ibrahim are the 23rd and 24th Gophers to be named to an FWAA All-America team. The last Gophers center to be honored by the FWAA was Greg Eslinger, who was named to the All-America team in both 2004 and 2005. Ibrahim is the first Gophers running back to be recognized by the FWAA since 1954 when Bob McNamara was named an All-America back.

Before Schmitz and Ibrahim, the most recent Gopher to be honored by the FWW was Antoine Winfield Jr., who was named first-team All-America in 2019.

Schmitz and Ibrahim were both named second-team All-America by the Walter Camp Foundation on Thursday. The Associated Press will announce its All-America teams on Monday.

about the writer

about the writer

Randy Johnson

College football reporter

Randy Johnson covers University of Minnesota football and college football for the Minnesota Star Tribune, along with Gophers hockey and the Wild.

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