Greg Johnson is making a strong case for the Outland Trophy through four games

Fourth-year Minnesota veteran Greg Johnson was named Outland Trophy National Player of the Week on Tuesday, after a standout performance against Washington. He was named a preseason second-team All-American, and he has arguably outperformed those expectations through four games.

Outland Trophy Player of Week goes to Minnesota player https://t.co/TP3ShmbFZT

— Outland Trophy (@outlandtrophy) September 29, 2026

With starting Gophers center Ashton Beers out of the lineup in Week 4, Johnson moved back to center for the first time since 2024. He earned an 84.5 offensive grade, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). He didn’t allow a single QB pressure, and he hasn’t all season on 142 pass-blocking snaps.

“Minnesota’s Greg Johnson moved from guard to center for the first time this season and produced one of the top grades among FBS offensive linemen during the Gophers’ 27-24 win at Washington in the Big Ten opener for both teams. For his versatility and high grade that helped Minnesota snap a five-game road losing streak, Johnson earned the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Sept. 26, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America,” the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) wrote in a release.

Johnson was a four-star prospect from Prior Lake, Minnesota, in the 2023 high school recruiting class. After playing 397 offensive snaps as a true freshman that fall, he has gotten better every season with the program. He’s an old-school fourth-year senior, and his loyalty to the Gophers is paying off.

Listed at 6-foot-6, 325 pounds, Johnson has played at every offensive line position in his college career. Many experts labeled him a potential first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft before the season, and that hype has only grown through four weeks. His 88.4 PFF grade is among the best in the entire sport.

First start at center for Minnesota IOL Greg Johnson (6-6 1/2, 327) since 2024 and he was exceptional.
Round 1 player. pic.twitter.com/Yzip2rtrVO

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) September 28, 2026

The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best interior lineman, offensive or defensive, in college football annually. John Michael Schmitz was recently a finalist for the Gophers in 2022, but they haven’t had a player win the award since Greg Eslinger in 2005. Bobby Bell in 1962 and Tom Brown in 1960 are the only other two winners in program history.

The Gophers haven’t had a player win an individual major national award since Matt Spaeth won the John Mackey Award as the nation’s best tight end in 2006. If the Outland Trophy were given out after four weeks, Johnson might have the best resume in the country.

The semifinalists for this year’s award will be announced on Nov. 18, and three finalists will be announced on Nov. 24. Johnson still has numerous big tests remaining on the 2026 schedule, but he’s making a strong case to be considered when the winner is officially announced on Dec. 11.

We are in the age of big media consolidation and content networks. But even with the proliferation of AI, nothing can beat the quality and inherent knowledge of local sports journalism. Our writing room consists of a Wildcat, a Gopher, and even a Mustang. We know the Minnesota towns and the great names that played on its diamonds, courts, fields or rinks. Subscribe NOW to the new Bring Me The Sports newsletter. We would appreciate your readership and support!

This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Sep 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Gophers section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.