Minnesota State’s junior offensive guard Andrew Essman is entering his fourth year playing for the Mavericks. The Lincoln, Nebraska native was born Aug. 7th, 1990 to Paul and Jean Essman. At Southwest High School, Essman not only played offensive line, but he also played defensive end and defensive tackle. Andrew is studying Elementary Education here at Minnesota State.

Essman was named First-Team All-City, First-Team All-District, and First Team All-Conference. Essman also received Second-Team Super State, Second-Team All-Nebraska, and earned Academic All-State Team.

Essman was redshirted as a freshman, then during his first full season he started in 11 games. He played his first six as a guard and the last five at center. Essman helped the Maverick offensive line to allow its running backs to rush for 1,834 yards and pass for 2,140.

As a sophomore Essman started all 12 games, 11 of which were at right guard and one at center. The offensive line helped the backfield rush for 2,292 yards and 25 touchdowns, including 2,278 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. The Mavericks averaged 167.9 rushing yards per game and 189.8 yards through the air. Essman was also a Second Team All-NSIC South Division selection.

This past season Essman started all 14 games for the Mavericks. He helped the Maverick offensive line clear the way for the running backs, which ran 668 times for 3,300 yards. The back field had an average of 4.9 yards per carry and 235.7 yards per game, including 38 touchdowns.  These were all the second-highest marks on the school’s single-season charts.

Essman also helped protect their quarterbacks who completed 166-291 passes for 2,370 yards, including 19 touchdowns and an average of 169.3 yards per game. The 2,370 yards of passing was the tenth-best in school history.

Essman was a First-Team All-NSIC South Division winner and an Academic All-NSIC selection. He was also a Daktronics Super Region #3 First Team pick and was also named Don Hansen All-American Second Team Offense.

“Andrew is the type of person and player we love to have in our program. We never have to worry about him taking care of his business in the classroom, weight room, or on the practice field,” said interim head coach, Aaron Keen. “He is a quiet leader and he likes to put his nose down and just go about his business. His strengths on the football field center around his ability to move defenders off the ball in the run game. He is a very good football player and has performed at an All-American level. “

10 Questions with Andrew Essman

1. Who are some of your athletic role models? Why?
I would have to say Bubba Watson, who is a golf pro. Mainly because he has never had a golf lesson in is life and he just let’s it rip.
 
2. If you weren't playing football what sport would you play?
Most likely baseball, I used to play quite a bit before high school.
 
3. Do you have any pre game routines or rituals? 
Other than listening to music and two cups of coffee, I don’t do anything really out of the ordinary.
 
4. What is your most memorable football moment?
My most memorable football moment was this past season when we won in overtime against Northwest Missouri to claim our first playoff win ever in school history.
 
5. What are your expectations for this upcoming season?
Our goal is always to make it to playoffs and then to the national championship game.
 
6. What do you do in the off-season?
I normally hangout with my roommates, they are offensive linemen like me. We do general big man things such as eating, lifting, and watching TV.
 
7. What do you plan on doing after graduation? Does it involve football?
I plan on teaching elementary education either in Minnesota or Nebraska, which is where I am from. I also might get into coaching football somewhere down the road.
 
8. If you won the lottery what would you do first?
Give half of it to my parents so they could retire and then buy a hot tub, because those things are sweet.
 
9. What attracted you to coming to MSU?
I would say the campus and the coaches. My position coach was really cool and is still really funny.
 
10. What position do you like more? Guard or Center?
I prefer guard, just for the fact I don’t have to snap a ball.