Michigan OL Olu Oluwatimi considered a 'way-too-early All-American,' one of college football's top newcomers
Michigan Wolverines football added former Virginia center Olu Oluwatimi via the transfer portal, and the fifth-year senior is already set to be one of the top players, if not the best, players on the team in 2022.
One of three finalist for the Rimington Award, which honors college football’s top center, Oluwatimi graded out as the third-best run blocker at his position last season, per Pro Football Focus (PFF), and was named a season-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America.
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With former Michigan center Andrew Vastardis having graduated, Oluwatimi is expected to step right in as a starter for the Wolverines, and could bolster the team’s offense. ESPN.com has him pegged as one of 26 ‘way-too-early All-Americans for 2022.
“Michigan captured the Joe Moore Award in 2021 as the top offensive line in college football and will welcome back three starters from that unit,” ESPN.com’s Chris Low wrote. “The addition of the 6-3, 310-pound Oluwatimi should lessen the pain of losing veteran center Andrew Vastardis. Oluwatimi, a transfer from Virginia, was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy a year ago as the top center in college football and has started in 32 straight games.”
Oluwatimi is also considered one of the top newcomers in the entire country in the site’s list of each top-25 squad’s best incoming player. Five-star freshman defensive back Will Johnson and four-star freshman defensive end Derrick Moore also received mentions.
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“ESPN 300 defensive back William Johnson and defensive end Derrick Moore are on this list with Oluwatimi,” ESPN.com’s Tom VanHaaren wrote. Johnson is the No. 19 prospect in 2022, and Moore is ranked No. 23 overall. Johnson will help in a secondary that’s losing a few starters, and Moore will help replace a pass-rush void left by Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo departing for the NFL.
“Adding Oluwatimi will help keep consistency along the line next season.”
The future Michigan offensive line centerpiece is also regarded as the Wolverines’ top NFL Draft prospect for the 2023 cycle, checking in as the team’s representative on ESPN.com’s list.
“Taking advantage of the transfer portal, the Wolverines were able to add Oluwatimi this offseason,” ESPN.com’s Jordan Reid wrote. “The former Virginia interior lineman was among the three finalists for the Rimington Award (best center in college football) and is a strong player along the inside. According to PFF grades, Oluwatimi had the third-best run block grade for a center in 2021.”
Oluwatimi’s situation is a good one with Michigan in 2022. He slides into an offensive line that returns both guards — redshirt sophomores Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter — and has a starting left tackle, redshirt junior Ryan Hayes, in place. Position coach and co-offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore led a group in the trenches that yielded just 34 tackles for loss — which led the nation and was 10 less than any other team — and 14 sacks (fifth in America).
