2023 Spring Football

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John Michael Schmitz embodies 'smart, tough, dependable'

May 09, 2023 at 02:43 PM

Dan Salomone

Senior Managing Editor, Giants.com

The NFL is full of tough guys. But how smart can they be while trying to be tough? Those are harder to find.

"J is one of the best at it," Alex Boone said of John Michael Schmitz Jr. on Giants.com's Big Blue Kickoff Live.

Boone played in more than 100 NFL games from 2010-2020 and was part of the hard-nosed 49ers teams that made three consecutive NFC Championship Games. These days, the former guard runs a gym in Minnesota and trained the All-American center leading up to his selection by the Giants in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

"With John, it clicked immediately," Boone said. "His attitude, the way he approached the field, the film – everything about him I was like, dude, we have to get this kid. He's incredible. [Every] step of the way he has been phenomenal."

@jmschmitz1999's stock is on the rise! 📈

Go behind the scenes with John Michael Schmitz as he prepares for the Combine and @NFLDraft.

His weekly schedule includes:
1️⃣ Positional Workouts
2️⃣ Combine Event Training
3️⃣ Film
4️⃣ Strength + Conditioning
5️⃣ Media Requests
6️⃣ Recovery pic.twitter.com/S97jhc4oCy
— Training HAUS (@thetrainingHAUS) February 27, 2023

After San Francisco, Boone played a season with the Vikings and was teammates with Jeremiah Sirles, another interior offensive lineman who is now a partner at the gym. Sirles is also an agent and represents Schmitz.

As pick No. 57 inched closer on April 28, Sirles gave Boone a quick call and said, "This is it."

"My heart stopped," Boone said. "This is the perfect scenario. I cannot tell you how excited I am to see him in that blue."

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) calls out a blocking coverage against Penn State in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

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Schmitz Jr John Michael

Brad Rempel/© Brad Rempel/University of Minnesota

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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)

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John Michael Schmitz (60) NCAA Football: Rutgers at Minnesota

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Schmitz Jr John Michael

Brad Rempel/© Brad Rempel/University of Minnesota

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) during warm ups prior to an NCAA college football game against Colorado, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz plays during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) looks for someone to block against Penn State in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) leaves the field following an NCAA college football game against Penn State , Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) prepares to hike the ball 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)

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz warms up before playing in an NCAA college football game against Nebraska Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) waits for the next play against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) chats with teammates Axel Ruschmeyer (65), Tanner Morgan (2) and Nathan Boe (66) between plays against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

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Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim (24) celebrates with offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) after Ibrahim scored a touchdown against Colorado during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) t warms up for an NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) looks to block Penn State defensive tackle Coziah Izzard (99) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

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Minnesota running back Ky Thomas (8) is congratulated by teammate John Michael Schmitz (60) after scoring a touchdown against Indiana in the first half during an NCAA college football game in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

AJ MAST

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) talks with officials against Penn State in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

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Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim, left, greets offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz, right, prior to an NCAA college football game against Colorado, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) hikes the ball to quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (8) on the line of scrimmage 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)

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American offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz of Minnesota (74) during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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American offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz of Minnesota (74) during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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American offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz of Minnesota (74) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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American offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz of Minnesota (74) during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz Jr. runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz Jr. runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz Jr. runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz Jr. runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz Jr. runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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The connections run even deeper.

Sirles finished his career with the Bills in 2018, which was Brian Daboll's first year as offensive coordinator in Buffalo.

"Jeremiah was a very smart player," Daboll said last weekend at rookie minicamp. "What we did when I was with him is probably a little bit different now, but certainly I think having someone like that for John Michael is probably a benefit. You'd have to ask him. I've stayed in contact with Jeremiah on a lot of different things. Got a lot of trust in him, so it's good to be able to bounce some things off of him regarding players that he may represent."

"Jeremiah Sirles and Alex Boone, tremendous guys that are my mentors, and having an agent and a trainer that's been in the league was very helpful for me to have," Schmitz said.

Boone also thinks it will be a perfect personality fit.

"I love the way Daboll runs his offense and I love his whole mentality," Boone said. "I feel like J-Mike is just going to thrive on that and the whole 'we're out here to beat someone's ass.' That whole thing is awesome, and that's what he wants to do. Take that, and just throw gas on it."

After rookie orientation, Schmitz will be thrown into the deep end in an open competition for a starting job at center.

"I think J is ready to go," Boone said. "The one thing about it, as we were going through the rookie training, he was picking things up so fast and understanding things so well. The fact that he moves the way he does, one of the things is a lot of rookies come out and they just go through the motions. I say that because it's not like they're actually going anywhere when they're run blocking or when they're pass blocking [at the gym]. But with J-Mike, everything with him has a purpose.

"So, with him, we threw him in with the vets early, and they ended up loving him. Chris Reed (Vikings), Cordell Volson (Bengals), Lewis Kidd (Saints), Zach Johnson (Titans), they were like, 'This kid is unbelievable.' I was like, 'I know, right?' Every one of them loved working with him. Billy Turner (Jets) was talking to me like, 'This kid is [coming].' 'Dude, you have no idea.'"

Unlike Schmitz, Boone entered the league as an undrafted prospect out of Ohio State. He fought tooth-and-nail for a roster spot and ultimately learned the difference between players who swam and those who sank. It started with the ability to "talk like a vet," which is why his training focuses on teaching systems as much as technique.

"That's why they don't make it because we don't have all day to teach them these things," Boone recalled of his playing days. "So trying to teach [Schmitz] earlier, he just grasped it so much better. Then when we started putting him in with the vets to actually run through run plays and pass blocking, he just looked so [good]. He calls an offense so well."

Schmitz also benefited from staying at the University of Minnesota for a sixth season.

"He's more mature, which is great because as vets that's what we want – mature players," Boone said. "Guys we can depend on, we can count on. I know you're not going to be out late doing anything stupid. These are all things that fit into his wheelhouse very well."

Of course, there also needs to be a physical element for a center, who will now go up against the likes of Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams. And that's just in practice - wait until he goes through the Eagles twice a year.

"He's so strong," Boone said. "He's so quick, and he has such great hands and his leverage is so low to the ground that he's so balanced at all times. He moves extremely efficiently from [points] A to B. One of the things that a lot of the vets were saying was, 'Wow, this guy doesn't move like everybody else.' He moves with a purpose. You tell him he needs to be there, he's there ready to go."

Then there is the rookie's snap technique, which has generated some conversation.

Schmitz used the "dead ball" snap that has become popular in college. A center tips the ball on its nose, puts his hands over the laces, and snaps it back. It comes back to the quarterback nice and easy, straight up and down – "kind of like a rainbow."

"But in the NFL, we like a spiral," Boone explained. "You grab it like a football. You sling it back there quick, and it's one of those things where people think it's really weird. I don't mind it either way. John can do either. We've snapped both ways. We worked pistol, we worked under [center], we worked [shot]gun, we worked dead ball."

That's well and good, but no one really cares what makes a center comfortable.

"I told him I don't know where you're going to go, but whatever quarterback you get, you need to be ready for what he wants," Boone said, "because he is the most important person in your life now."

Daniel Jones agrees.

Big man up front 💪 @jmschmitz1999 pic.twitter.com/DfjlqTfjJk
— New York Giants (@Giants) May 5, 2023

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