Center John Michael Schmitz to bring toughness, grit and nastiness to Giants

For John Michael Schmitz, who the Giants selected with the 57th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, his greatest strengths are folded into brains and brawn. A mind and a mean streak all rolled into a 6-foot-3, 300-pound frame.

“I would just say, my mentality as a whole, my toughness, my grit, the way I finish plays is what sets me apart from other people,” the center out of Minnesota told reporters Friday night.

When asked about people who play his position he watches, Schmitz pointed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Ryan Jensen.

“I mean, he's one of the nastiest people on the field,” the new Giant said, “and just the way he plays, his mentality, you know that he's going to bring it every play. He's a tremendous leader, also.”

Does that mean Schmitz considers himself to be nasty? “Yes, yes, that's the biggest thing I would say. The nasty, tough, grit factor, definitely.”

And while New York has a need for a nasty center to anchor the offensive line, they had a pressing need for a body at center after losing Nick Gates and Jon Feliciano this offseason. But Schmitz admitted that doesn’t make him the de facto starter.

“That’s not my decision," he said. “I'm going to be coming in to work and earn the coaches' and players' trust to take that role. But that is the coaches' position to do that.”

One of the players whose trust he has to earn almost immediately is quarterback Daniel Jones, a person Schmitz is ready to get on the same page with.

“It's definitely important to have a great relationship with your quarterback, and you guys have to be on the same page,” he said. “I'm very excited to connect with this offensive line group. Just get to know these guys and I feel like I'm a really good leader, a communicator.

“As a center, you have to be a really good communicator, and a leader position sometimes comes natural to that position because you're the first one to the line, and you set the calls, you set the protections, and you're in control of that offense, especially as the center-point of the offensive line.”

One of the people Schmitz already has a relationship with is Giants offensive line coach Bobby Johnson.

“I love Coach Johnson. Spent a lot of time with him, obviously with the pro day and a dinner before that,” he said. “It was amazing to connect with him. He's a good coach and just what he's doing with that offensive line, I'm so excited to be a part of it.”

And with what general manager Joe Schoen has called a complicated offense to learn, the newest Giant O–lineman is ready to take on the challenge.

“I love a challenge, so learning the game even better than I have, and I can't wait to work with Coach Johnson, pick his brain. I mean, he's going to help me out a lot,” he said.

And while Schmitz has only spent a few moments as a member of the Giants, he already has some playoff experience.

“I was actually at the game,” the Minnesota product told reporters about the playoff win at the Vikings last season.

And who was the center rooting for?

“You know, I was at the game just watching football, that's all I've got to say,” he said with a laugh.