Long lasting starting left guard Tyler Cooper was ruled out before the Gophers’ game last week against Illinoiswhich forced a major shake-up within Minnesota’s offensive line. One notable change was the return of right tackle Quinn Caroll to right guard, the position he started at to begin the season.

Carroll turned in one of his most complete performances of the season, earning an 84.5 Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade, earning him a spot on the Week 10 College Football Team of the Week. PFF.

A native of Edina, Minnesota, Carroll returned home to Minnesota from Notre Dame ahead of the 2022 season. He has played more than 2,200 snaps since joining the program and has become one of the most vocal leaders of the team. He’s assumed veteran status, but he’s been more than willing to alternate between guard and tackle over the past two seasons.

“He’s such a selfless teammate. I couldn’t ask for anything more from a leader and a captain than him. I’m really happy that he’s playing at a really high level because I think he’s elevated the whole team. O-line room,” said head coach PJ Fleck.

Carroll’s move to right guard wasn’t the only change to the Gophers’ offensive line Saturday. Redshirt freshman Phillip Daniels made his first career start at right tackle. He played 70 total snaps and earned a PFF grade of 70.5.

“I thought Phillip (Daniels) played really well and he’s tough and aggressive. But he’s still a redshirt freshman,” Fleck said. “He’s taken a big step forward in his growth, but he has to take a giant step forward and I know he will. He’s a very transparent learner. He wants to get better.”

The shakeup up front also saw Ashton Beers move from right guard to assume Cooper’s left guard role. The severity of Cooper’s injury is unknown, but Fleck said the team would like to keep Carroll and Daniels on the right side. Therefore, it would be fair to think that Minnesota’s preferred grouping would be Aireontae Ersery at left tackle, Beers or Cooper at left guard, Greg Johnson at center, and then Carroll and Daniels controlling the right side.

Minnesota has tried quite a few combinations, but it appears offensive line coach Brian Callahan has finally found his favorite group of five to battle with in the trenches.