Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz has Sean McDermott’s favorite trait, in that he’s a former wrestler. Schmitz explains how his time on the mat carries over onto the football field.

“Understanding your body position and understanding your weight distribution,” Schmitz said. “Understanding how to fight pressure with pressure. Kind of that push-and-move technique that offensive linemen like to use. Understanding the pressure you need to have on your feet while you’re in your stance or exploding out of it.”

Schmitz is a little undersized at center, measuring in at over 6’3” and about 300 pounds.

His testing numbers at the NFL Combine also are not going to pop off the page.

It’s the tape and experience that will be the selling point for Schmitz, who played in 57 games for the Gophers, starting 35, and finished off his career as a first-team All-American in his sixth year at Minnesota.

“At the end of the day it was for my team,” Schmitz said. “We had a lot left to accomplish. When I first got there we set out goals and coming short of those goals. I wanted one more chance at it. It was truly for my teammates.”

While center has been his spot, Schmitz says he’s comfortable playing guard as well. He’s projected as a late first-to-second-round pick.