Learning the playbook, sure, that was a big deal for Michigan center Olu Oluwatimi, a graduate transfer from Virginia, who from all accounts had a solid grasp of it during spring practice after his January enrollment. But meshing with a new team, that wa s the challenge. It's one thing to be the new guy in a position group, but when the position is offensive line, which is all about the cohesiveness of the starting five, fitting in quickly is key.That was Oluwatimi's real challenge. "As offensive linemen, it's not just you," Oluwatimi said Tuesday during a news conference. "I've got my left guard and right guard next to me. A lot of this game, to be good at offensive line is anticipation. If a blitzer is coming, be able to leave a second early an d trust that your guard is going to be there. Being able to figure that out with the guys around me, I felt like that was more of a challenge than learning the playbook." But Oluwatimi has been successful at both. He knows the playbook, and the team, the offensive linemen, they know him now. He developed relationships by hanging out with the linemen, playing video games and enjoying meals together. It was a win-win for both sides. Oluwatimi was looking for a situation that might best prepare him for the NFL, and he saw that in Michigan's offensive line, which won the Joe Moore Award last season as the nation's top line. And Michigan was looking for a boost at center. He started three seasons at Virginia, was one of three Rimington Award finalists as th e nation's top center last year, so he arrived at Michigan in January with a resume that turned heads. - Detroit News
(DS#5 C) rSr/2023 C Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan
News Source: Detroit News
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