GopherIllustrated reached out to Minnesota offensive line commit Mataalii Benjamin's high school offensive line coach at Lehi, Jason Andersen, to learn more about what the Gophers are getting. Andersen played offensive line in college at BYU and was a 7th-round NFL Draft selection in 1998. He played a handful of years in the NFL as an offensive lineman, so who better to give an accurate scouting report than him.
GopherIllustrated: What can you tell me about Mataalii as a player and as a person off the field?
Jason Andersen: "As a player, he has all the tools you need to play offensive line. He's long, super versatile, and athletic. He loves football. I am constantly having to tell him to let other kids get reps during practice. He never wants to come off the field. He is also very coachable and very competitive.
As a person off the field, he is a good kid. He loves to be a leader. He is constantly motivating those around him to get better and be better. He sets a very high standard for those around him."
GopherIllustrated: What are his strengths as a player that will allow him to excel at the next level, and what are some things he needs to work on before becoming a Big Ten offensive lineman?
Jason Andersen: "His strengths are his footwork and overall athleticism. He has great hands and knows how to use them. He also has a high football IQ. What he needs to continue to work on, which most kids that 6'8" do, is his pad level."
GopherIllustrated: What's his role on the team heading into his senior season, and what do you think Minnesota fans can expect to see out of Mataalii these next four years?
Jason Andersen: "He is going to be expected to be a leader and great example of how offensive linemen work in the weight room and on the field. Minnesota fans should expect to watch an extremely talented tackle that is super athletic and will bring it every day. It's always fun to watch men that big being able to move the way he does."
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