Olu Oluwatimi’s “Perfect Match” At Michigan

The middle is the overall of the offensive line, and in lots of regards everything of the offense.

They name out shifts, blocking changes, and have to research the opposing protection pre-snap. With no constant and strong drive at middle, in any other case strong strains may crumble. Final 12 months, Andrew Vastardis presided over the road for all 14 video games, and led the group to a 2021 Joe Moore Award, and the School Soccer playoff.

His departure left a gaping gap for Michigan to fill — however that gap was not left open for lengthy.

Enter Olu Oluwatimi.

A graduate switch from Virginia, Oluwatimi has slotted in completely this season. And he was not shocked within the slightest about how properly the match has been with the remainder of the road to this point.

“I’m not stunned,” Oluwatimi mentioned. “I knew they have been a terrific group of men, very proficient, good folks to be round. I believed my character and my play would mesh properly with theirs.”

Oluwatimi was undecided about transferring after graduating, however he had a faculty in thoughts if they might have him.

“Even earlier than I entered the portal, I knew that Michigan was the place I needed to be primarily based off the scheme, the model of soccer they play, and clearly the college,” Oluwatimi mentioned. “So once they reached out to me after I entered the portal, it was like an ideal match.”

However excellent match or not, Oluwatimi got here to the Wolverines after transferring with little or no information about what he was moving into.

“I didn’t know the offensive line personally,” Oluwatimi mentioned. “Nor did I actually know any of the coaches or the workers, simply by means of the recruiting course of I discovered a bit bit about Coach [Sherrone] Moore, and a bit bit about Coach [Jim] Harbaugh.”

With this restricted information, his laborious work, and fervour for the sport, Oluwatimi shortly made an affect on his friends.

“I came upon I used to be a reserve captain for offense, and it was a terrific feeling.” Oluwatimi mentioned. “I haven’t been right here for too lengthy, however the truth that my teammates thought that top of me, and to get that many votes, it meant so much.”

Being reserve captain as a primary 12 months switch pupil isn’t any straightforward feat, and exemplifies how shortly Oluwatimi has made his presence felt.

And up to now this season, he has lived as much as these offseason expectations. With the Wolverines flawless by means of 5 video games, the road is firing on all cylinders. Him and the remainder of the offensive line have solely allowed quarterback JJ McCarthy to be sacked 4 instances, lower than one per recreation. They’ve allowed McCarthy ample time to showcase his accuracy, whilst Large Ten play started and the caliber of opponent elevated.

On high of that, Oluwatimi has performed a big function in facilitating the run recreation. After all, Blake Corum is Blake Corum, however he nonetheless wants a spot to take so as to succeed, and Oluwatimi and the remainder of the road have offered these in spades. Corum is averaging 6.2 yards per try, and is a Heisman entrance runner for the time being, and a few of that must be attributed to the Offensive line.

With Oluwatimi, what might need been a staff weak spot has turn into certainly one of its greatest strengths. And in contrast to many outings with the Cavaliers, Oluwatimi’s contributions up to now have resulted in staff wins.

“I’m very completely happy about my resolution,” Oluwatimi mentioned. “And I’m very completely happy about how issues unfolded. We’re taking part in properly as a staff, and we’ve got an opportunity to do some actually huge issues because the season progresses.”

Later within the season, the video games will solely get extra significant, and the stage will get even larger. However Oluwatimi is prepared for no matter comes.

“I got here to Michigan desirous to win,” Oluwatimi mentioned. “We’re on observe, simply received to maintain plowing.”