The Wolverine

2022 Michigan Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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fense and his crew's integral role in it, there's much more fine-tuning to come. "It's definitely a work in progress," Olu- watimi assessed. "I learned the playbook. But there's learning a playbook and master- ing a playbook. I learned the playbook before spring, and it's good to take reps, get jelled and glued with the other guys on the offensive line. "Then there's the mastering process, which comes with reps and trust. The guys have to trust me, and I have to trust them, too. A lot of stuff is not spoken. You have a flow for the game and what's around you, the people you're playing with. "I'm not there yet on mastering it. I'm a work in progress as far as that." When he gets time, there are culinary mat- ters to master as well. "The food," he mused. "There are a lot of good food spots out there. I'm definitely not going to be able to eat at every place. It will take me probably multiple years to do that in Ann Arbor. "I heard the summers are nice. We're taking a trip as a team in July, and I'm very excited about that. And the guys are cool. They're just chill, levelheaded individuals, humble guys. "There are a lot of accomplished, highly touted players on this team. Just by interact- ing with them on a daily basis, you wouldn't know that." Strong Background, Determined Future Interacting with Oluwatimi on a daily basis, his teammates might not consider the fact that he's a national award challenger with a mar- ketable degree from a significant academic institution. But academics always drew great emphasis in the Oluwatimi household, with Yetunde a nurse and Olufemi working with autistic children. "All of their children graduated from col- lege," Oluwatimi said. "They're very proud of us. That's something they preached to us growing up. "My undergrad degree was in econom- ics. It was a challenging process, but I've always been interested in and pretty good with math and numbers. I just thought it could benefit me, learning about the eco- nomics of government or the economics of foreign affairs, or economics in general — handling money. "At Michigan, I'm doing a master's in social work. That brings the people component into what I've learned in undergrad. I want to be able to actu- ally serve people in an economically just way. Marrying both degrees I feel like is going to be good for me — hopefully after I have a nice, long career in the NFL." The latter can't be considered a pipe dream, given what Oluwatimi has already demon- strated on the field. He gets a chance to take it to the next level at Michigan, surrounded by talent in what figures to be a loaded offense. He saw Michigan's potential from the sec- ond game of the season last year — the Wolverines' 31-10 blowout win against Washington. "We played during the day, and I was able to catch that game," Olu- watimi recalled. "Washington was ranked, and the way Michigan han- dled them up front, I was like, wow. "As the season progressed, when Michigan needed to close out a game, they were able to do that with the run game." The Wolverines figure to feature the same potency in 2022, placing Oluwatimi at the tip of the spear. He's long past the days of serving as the butt of pranks. He's scared of very little. And he threw in with a crew on the rise, making his im- mediate future bright. ❑ Michigan's Last Five All-Americans At Center Grad transfer Olu Oluwatimi could become the latest All-American in a proud tradition of centers at Michigan. He earned second-team All-America honors last year at Virginia and will draw a white-hot spotlight performing in a winged helmet. If he's identified as one of those elites, he'll add to this list of the last five centers so honored at Michigan. David Molk, 2011 — This tough, no-nonsense snapper played a big role in Michigan's last win over Ohio State, prior to the 2021 breakthrough. The Wolverines beat the Buckeyes in Molk's All-American year in a shootout, 40-34, after he'd led the blocking for quarterback Denard Robinson, one of the most dynamic players in U-M history. As a senior, Molk received the Rimington Trophy as the nation's best center. David Baas, 2004 — Baas held down center duties in Michigan's last Big Ten championship year prior to last season's crown. He blocked for an offense that saw its finest moment in a 45-37, triple-overtime victory at home against Michigan State. Trailing 27-10 with only 8:43 remaining, the Wolverines staged a wild comeback with wideout Braylon Edwards taking over. Baas and his fellow linemen gave quarterback Chad Henne time to make history, and he garnered All-America plaudits and also took home the Rimington Trophy for his season- long efforts. Rod Payne, 1996 — The rugged and colorful Payne performed notably at center for the Wolverines in the years leading up to Michigan's national championship season in 1997. He led the blocking assault that opened the door for running back Tshimanga Biakabutuka's 313 yards rushing in Michigan's 31-23 victory over Ohio State in 1995. Payne also helped U-M close out the Buckeyes 13-9 in Ohio Stadium the following year, earning All-America honors that season. John Vitale, 1988 — The late Michigan stalwart anchored Bo Schembechler's lines in the latter part of the 1980s. His All-America status in '88 reflected Michigan's overall success (Big Ten champs, 34-31 victors over Ohio State and 22-14 Rose Bowl champs over USC), along with his own prowess. He began his career at guard for a 1985 Michigan squad that finished No. 2 in the nation and then made the successful move to center start- ing his sophomore season, snapping to current U-M coach Jim Harbaugh. Tom Dixon, 1983 — Dixon garnered his All-America honors in another successful Michigan season against Ohio State. The Wolverines took down the Buckeyes that year 24-21 in addition to shutting out Michigan State 42-0 in East Lansing. Dixon performed on a pair of Big Ten title teams and started every game in the final three seasons of his career. — John Borton A 6-3, 310-pound presence, Oluwati- mi is adjusting to and enjoying the spotlight on U-M football in Ann Arbor, which includes being recognized in the grocery store. PHOTO BY PETE EMERSON/COURTESY UVA ATHLETICS THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 75

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