ldevon1

December 17th, 2021 at 10:59 AM ^

He is expected to choose between the three schools today. That is still the expectation as of this morning according to multiple sources with knowledge of Oluwatimi’s recruitment. 

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JMo

December 17th, 2021 at 11:01 AM ^

Victor Oluwatimi is a 6-4 Center and Rimington Award finalist from Hyattsville, MD, currently in the transfer portal from UVA.  

Visited last week per On3:

Michigan is also hosting Virginia center Victor Oluwatimi, who is a grad transfer and will have just one year of experience, but could help bridge the gap between Andrew Vastardis and some of the young interior offensive lineman on Michigan’s roster. Oluwatimi was named one of three finalists for the Rimington Trophy this season, the trophy annually awarded to the most outstanding center in college football. Oluwatimi ultimately lost out on the award to Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum. 

Oluwatimi started all 12 games for Virginia in 2021 and has started 32-straight games for the Cavaliers dating back to the 2019 season. According to Pro Football Focus, he is ranked second-highest among all FBS centers with a 90.2 run blocking grade and only allowed three sacks and five QB hits in 2021. Oluwatimi helped the Cavaliers average 515.8 yards per game of total offense and earned Second Team All-ACC Honors for his efforts. 

Oluwatimi entered the portal following head coach Bronco Mendenhall’s announcement that he planned to step down after the bowl game.

Oluwatimi, who hails from Dematha Catholic (MD.), began his college career at the Air Force Academy, before returning closer to home after just one season. He is expected to be one of the most coveted players in the transfer portal. 

 

247:

Sam Webb: “The other kid that made his way to Michigan was Victor Oluwatimi, a 6-3, 310 lb. center. He’s originally out of DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville, Maryland. I don't know if he ever crossed paths with Hunter Dickinson while he was there, but this was a kid who originally went to the Air Force before heading over to UVA. And he has been a stud at UVA. The guy was a Rimington finalist. The Rimington award goes to the top center in college football. He started all 12 games and has started 32 straight dating back to the 2019 season. He has just been an outstanding player for UVA. And here's the thing... the word was as I first started looking into him, calling some people down there in the DMV and they said he entered the portal with Michigan at the top of his list. That was the word, at least, down in those circles. So, Michigan was dealing from a stacked deck here with hosting him on campus. And the word is from some of the guys who were there on a visit that things are looking really really good with him. But before you get too carried away, Steve... and this is why you gotta pump the brakes on some of these things that might be sounding so good. Kind of like with Derrick Moore. Things are sounding real good, but Ole Miss is right there. Things are starting to sound real good with Oluwatimi, but he went to Clemson after his Michigan visit, reportedly. So you can't necessarily count those chickens before they're hatched.”

Steve Lorenz: “It was odd with Clemson. Virginia, where he's coming from, just hired (Clemson's) OC. So that's kind of an interesting dynamic there. Funny that I talked about that radar that goes off with the transfer portal stuff. Oluwatimi... the radar immediately went off. Virginia high academic program. The kid obviously is a good player as a Rimington finalist. And we know Michigan loves what Greg Crippen has done early on, but maybe one more year to bridge that gap would be maybe optimal in that situation. Not saying that (is necessary). Maybe Crippen would be ready. But Oluwatimi, you're talking about a difference maker to take over for Andrew Vastardis next year. At a super, super important position, that would be great. One thing I noticed about Oluwatimi... and I think people would really like this. I'm not a big Instagram guy, but I did find him on Instagram. His last post is a video like some highlights. And his caption is, 'you F with me wrong, I knock your head off your neck!' I think people love it in their offensive linemen. I think that Michigan fans probably want a guy for who that's his mentality.”

Sam Webb: “I think that's the guy you want to have leading you into Columbus. Right? (Laughter).”

Steve Lorenz: “Exactly. Exactly. I mean, Michigan has got to answer for all of Desmond Howard's comments and stuff over the weekend, right? (Laughter). But no, I saw that and I kind of chuckled a little bit. I was like, this looks like a mean, angry dude with a lot of talent. Like I said, the biggest thing was that he would be a perfect bridge for Crippen at center, where we know Michigan has really liked him with Vastardis heading out. So. I immediately figured Michigan would be interested there, and it turns out they are. And we'll see. With Clemson having no OC in place right now, I don't really know what's going on. at Clemson. It will be interesting to see what or how they kind of can pitch their position. I mean, obviously Clemson is still Clemson. But Michigan may win the Joe Moore award. Sherrone Moore is looking great, obviously, as an offensive line coach. Even though Clemson is Clemson, it just feels like another one where Michigan has a lot of things going in their favor versus a program that is somewhat in transition right now.”

 

This would be a big damn get.

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outsidethebox

December 17th, 2021 at 1:18 PM ^

I expect next year's DL to be as good-and perhaps even better than this year for several reasons: 1) Mazi, Chris and company, on the inside, will be a year more mature-and may well be dominant in their own right, 2) This year's DE reserves were no can-of-worms...plus see #1-they will be better too and 3) This will be everyone's, coaches and players, second year together in the system-growth in a second year can be exponential. 

Oluwatimi would be an outstanding addition.

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XM - Mt 1822

December 17th, 2021 at 3:10 PM ^

i think its reasonable to expect the DT's to be better which is certainly a plus, but losing two AA DE's is a big deal.  even ohio and the SEC conglomerates would have trouble plugging those gaps.  i agree though that the DE kids we do have are pretty good and will get better.  combine that with better DT play and yeah, i am hopeful for next year's DL.  and your 'another year in the system' comment is also spot on.  it does make a positive difference, assuming mcdonald stays, which i at this point think will happen.  

Joined: 12/21/2011

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Midukman

December 17th, 2021 at 2:36 PM ^

And that’ll be the key moving forward. Every time a Bama, OSU or Clemson were playoff bound they had big road graders on the line. All the other offensive pieces are in place so reloading on the line is huge. Losing Haskins is gonna hurt but I like our RB room. I mean why cry next year like OSU has this year about “being a young inexperienced” team if we don’t have to. 

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FauxMo

December 17th, 2021 at 11:14 AM ^

I just read Victor's profile, and unless I read it wrong, he originally enrolled in college in 2015. Is he really 25? That would be kind of cool, having a grown-ass man on our OL... 

Joined: 06/17/2010

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MaizeBlueA2

December 18th, 2021 at 6:48 AM ^

Yes.

We need 5 scholarship RBs. 

We need a power back.

Corum is actually a sophomore next season with the COVID year.

Not saying YOU are saying this, but let's not do the "afraid of competition thing."

I'm still recovering from 25% of this board whining about Alan Bowman hurting Cade and JJ's egos. The dumbest rationale ever, because Joe Milton would've been in the exact same role had he not transfered.

We only took 1 RB in this class, taking Stokes and a grad transfer, IMO is actually better because you don't end up with THREE freshman with Dunlap using a redshirt this season. 

This is really just replacing Haskins in terms of a body, who is obviously leaving a year early.

When Corum got banged up, it was nice to have Donovan Edwards right there as your #3, this is likely something similar.

If he takes carries away, it's not Corum or Edwards...it's Dunlap and Stokes.

Joined: 11/06/2018

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The Homie J

December 17th, 2021 at 11:22 AM ^

If this were indeed to happen, would we be looking at a starting OL consisting of Hayes-Keegan-Oluwatimi-Zinter-Jones?  Obviously 4/5 spots seem like locks (if he does commit here), but the right tackle spot would be the question mark.  Trente Jones was usually the guy for 6 man lines I believe, but Barnhart and Filiaga (if he still has eligibility) played way more snaps at the actual positions.

Does anybody have a good read on who else may up for tackle position?  Maybe someone inside bumps outside and a new guy comes in at a guard spot?

Either way, with Sherrone Moore here, I'm very confident that we'll continue to mash faces next year and beyond

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dankbrogoblue

December 17th, 2021 at 11:30 AM ^

Do we know that Steuber is gone? I believe he has an extra year of eligibility.

EDIT: To address your question, I think Trente Jones is the obvious candidate, unless Andrew Gentry surprises and shows up game ready.

Other possiblities: Kicking Keegan outside if we feel we have a great guard that we can't keep off the field (I believe Keegan played some tackle in the past?). Tristan Bounds, with some added weight, and Jeffery Persi are dark horses as well.

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