The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MARCH 2022 THE WOLVERINE 81 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL 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, on the team in 2022. One of three finalists for the 2021 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 second- team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America. With former Michigan center Andrew Vastardis having run out of eligibility, 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 addi- tion 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 on the site's list of each top-25 squad's best incoming player. "Adding Oluwatimi will help keep consistency along the line next season," Tom VanHaaren wrote. The future Michigan offensive line centerpiece is also regarded as the Wol- verines' top NFL Draft prospect for the 2023 cycle, checking in as the team's representative on ESPN.com's list. — Clayton Sayfie ANDREW STUEBER NAMED STANDOUT OF SENIOR BOWL WEEK Offensive lineman Andrew Stueber was the lone U-M representative at this year's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. With front office and NFL eyes upon him, he was named one of the standouts of the week. Stueber flashed the same sort of in- tensity and physicality that he showed on Michigan's offensive line throughout his career. Cam Mellor of Pro Football Network labeled him one of the 2022 NFL Draft's risers coming out of the week. "Making waves with some terrific reps, Andrew Stueber made a name for himself during the Senior Bowl," Mellor wrote. "Working on the inside, Stueber more often than not got the better of his defender in team drills. Whether it was for the run or in pass protection during the team portions, Stueber was solid. "His efforts in one-on-ones were also terrific, as Stueber got the best of his defenders more than they did him. It was a great performance from the Michigan lineman, and it made clear how pivotal Stueber was to the Wolver- ines' rushing attack in 2021." Stueber, who played on the National Team for the New York Jets coaching staff, is expected to move inside to guard in the NFL, which is where most of his work came during the week's events in Mobile. "[He] has the physical demeanor and functional power to develop into a starting-caliber offensive lineman at the NFL level," The Draft Network's Kyle Crabbs said in his profile of Stue- ber. "There is likely to be some debate about Stueber's value as an interior or outside blocker at the pro level, but with his long frame, I do think he's best served to step into a role on the outside as an offensive tackle. "Stueber isn't the most fleet of foot to play on the edge, but he offers excellent length, very good power, and a savvy approach that allows him to process fronts and late motion effectively as a blocker in both the run game and as a pass protector." Would Stueber be a candidate for the rebuilding Detroit Lions just down the road from Ann Arbor? The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner and Chris Burke came away impressed with what they saw. "Detroit's certainly familiar with Stueber and saw the Jets rep the former Michigan right tackle at both guard and center last week," they wrote on their 'All-Senior Bowl Team for the Detroit Lions' needs' list. "Stueber is a smart, experienced mauler. He won't be physi- cally bullied by anyone in his square, and he's smart enough to know how to work around his mobility issues. "If that reminds you of a larger- framed [Lions offensive lineman] Jonah Jackson then, well, you've been pay- ing attention. Stueber could be a swing tackle in a pinch, though it's unclear whether his foot speed will hold up on the edge. He did play guard early in his career at Michigan. "He played in 34 games at Michigan and was part of the Joe Moore Award- winning offensive line in 2021." Running back Hassan Haskins was also a National Team selection but opted out of the event due to an ankle injury. Both Michigan prospects are considered potential mid-round picks for the up- coming draft, set for April 28-30. — Anthony Broome JOEL HONIGFORD RETURNS FOR SIXTH SEASON IN ANN ARBOR Tight end Joel Honigford announced Feb. 2 that he would return for a sixth and final season with the program, al- lowing U-M to hold on to a valuable run blocker and key depth piece. He made his announcement via a hype video posted to his social media accounts. Honigford has appeared in 22 games in his career and began a transition from Stueber was listed by Pro Football Network as one of the 2022 NFL Draft's risers coming out of Senior Bowl week. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL