Minnesota’s Greg Johnson earned national recognition for doing something that often goes unnoticed unless the film room gets a hard look: he moved spots, handled the switch cleanly and helped the Gophers pull off a road win.
Johnson, who shifted from guard to center for the first time this season, was named the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week for games played during the weekend of Sept. 26, the Football Writers Association of America announced. The honor came after Minnesota’s 27-24 victory at Washington in the Big Ten opener for both teams, a game in which Johnson posted one of the top grades among FBS offensive linemen.
The performance also helped Minnesota end a five-game road losing streak.
Johnson’s move to center was not new territory in the bigger picture. It was his first start there since the 2025 Duke’s Mayo Bowl, but it also marked his 14th career start at the position after he started all 13 games there in 2025.
Against Washington, Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 88.4 and a run-blocking grade of 92.8. Minnesota scored 27 points, the most Washington has allowed at home since a 35-28 win over Utah in 2023.
The 6-foot-6, 325-pound senior from Prior Lake, Minn., has been a force all season. His current offensive grade of 88.4 leads all guards nationally and ranks second among all offensive linemen. He also owns the FBS lead among blockers with a 92.8 run-blocking grade, more than four points ahead of the next-best mark.
Protection has been part of the story, too. PFF says Johnson has not been charged with allowing a quarterback pressure this season. Behind that line, Drake Lindsey went 21-of-29 for 204 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in Minnesota’s first meeting with Washington in 49 years.
Minnesota’s front has had continuity early in the season, with Ashton Beers, Johnson and Nathan Roy back in starting roles at center, left guard and left tackle, respectively. Tony Nelson started at right guard, and Daniel Shipp is a first-year starter at right tackle.
The line did not allow a sack in the opener, its first game without giving up a sack since 2024. Beers, like Johnson, has also not been credited with allowing a pressure this season.
Johnson became the first Minnesota player to win the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week award. Weekly winners are added to the award’s preseason watch list, and Johnson was already on that list before this recognition.
Minnesota has had three Outland Trophy winners in school history and one recent finalist. Center Greg Eslinger won it in 2005, joining defensive tackle Bobby Lee Bell in 1962 and guard Tom Brown in 1960. Offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz was a finalist in 2022.
The FWAA will announce Outland Trophy semifinalists on Nov. 18, then narrow the field to three finalists on Nov. 24.
The winner will come from those finalists and be part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The Outland Trophy is limited to interior linemen on offense or defense, with ends and edge rushers not eligible.
This season marks 81 years since the Outland Trophy was founded. Dr.
John Outland created the award in 1946 after giving the FWAA a financial contribution to establish it. An All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, he later practiced in Kansas City, Mo., and wanted to honor linemen who he felt did not get enough credit.
The Outland Trophy is the third-oldest major college football award and is part of the National College Football Awards Association.
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