Thank You, Olu!

Submitted by MaizeBlueA2 on January 14th, 2023 at 4:55 PM

I just did a search and realized there was never a "Thank You, Olu"/Appreciation Thread. At least not one that I could find.

I just re-watched the Purdue game and for the first time, watched the first 3.75 quarters of the Michigan/TCU game (I never saw anything after the first pick six).

It made me realize, Olu Oluwatimi. The greatest season at Center of any player in school history. Rimington and Outland Trophy winner.

Transferred to Michigan and was quiet, but went to work and help cement a culture that would help lead to a second B1G Championship. By the end spring ball Harbaugh said he had the "license" to lead and from that point he was basically a team captain.

Physical talents that Michigan hasn't seen at the position, the strength of Glasgow, the agility of Molk, and the overall talent of Ruiz. The man was a cheat code, paving the way for one of the better rushing seasons in school history and 1/5 of a Joe Moore Award winning OL.

Thank you, Olu! A Michigan legend!

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jdib

January 14th, 2023 at 5:07 PM ^

He was the glue of the O-line.  Exceptional from his time he stepped on campus as both a player and a leader. 

Incredibly easy to root for

Big shoes to fill and I wish him well in the NFL

Joined: 10/31/2012

MGoPoints: 13905

dickdastardly

January 14th, 2023 at 5:42 PM ^

Future centers need to start sniffing glue to follow in Olu's steps! Keep the streak alive!

Olu was the GOAT - Glue Of All Time of the line. 

 

Bad jokes aside, we witnessed OLINE play (sans TCU game) that we may never see again at Michigan. This season was more special than last season, imo. 

Joined: 09/03/2020

MGoPoints: 24314

gustave ferbert

January 14th, 2023 at 7:17 PM ^

all that he had going on with his teammates at UVA and his dad and he still delivered. 

Imagine the fortitude you have to have deal with those struggles and still do your job with absolute excellence. 

A fine young man with quite a future ahead of him.  Not just in football either. 

Joined: 06/21/2011

MGoPoints: 46379

MgoBlueprint

January 14th, 2023 at 5:21 PM ^

He definitely deserves one. He  through so much between his father’s brain surgery and the loss of his teammates in about a weeks span. He continued to go about his business and lead without a bunch of rah rah. He’s a special guy and the program was blessed to have him as part of its great legacy.

Joined: 12/15/2008

MGoPoints: 11576

907_UM Nanook

January 14th, 2023 at 5:28 PM ^

I have a feeling Olu as a leader & motivator in the locker room, off the field, in the huddle, was one of the steadiest forces for our winning culture on Team 143. The best season for a transfer in B1G history? Thanks for everything you brought us this season Olu & go be great in the NFL!

Joined: 04/01/2018

MGoPoints: 15273

shoes

January 14th, 2023 at 5:29 PM ^

Best season for a Michigan center no doubt. Based upon those I have seen it would be between George Lilja and Steve Everett for the best career center at Michigan. Both were terrific.

Joined: 07/01/2008

MGoPoints: 9534

tspoon

January 15th, 2023 at 2:55 PM ^

I'm an Everitt fan as well.  Rod Payne was also truly outstanding: 2x 1st team all-BigTen, 1st team all-America as a senior, team MVP in 1996.  The Rimington Award did not yet exist at that time.

Pro career was decimated by injuries (he was the first Center taken in the '97 draft), so many M fans seem to have forgotten him.  He was great indeed.

Joined: 07/30/2008

MGoPoints: 3814

Savoy88

January 14th, 2023 at 6:19 PM ^

Outland Trophy Ceremony:

At the Illinois Postgame Press Conference (from the video which can be found on that page (and youtube)), Coach Harbaugh had this to say about Olu:

“He has the strength of 10 men, I have so much admiration for him and I will forever be proud to be his friend. The week he had this week, not only the physical strength of 10 men, but the mental strength of 10 men. The victims at Virginia, that tragedy was personal for him. Those were some of his teammates. And his dad had successful surgery to remove a tumor in his brain. All that was going on for Olu this week. I think back to being that age and there’s no way I could’ve handled that.” [Italix was added by me]. 

When you add this to Dan Dierdorf exclaiming at the OSU game two seasons ago, "I've never been more proud of a group of kids, than a coaching staff, in my entire life", you know you've got a special group. And Olu has been a massively important part of those two groups.

 

-"Jim Harbaugh raves about mental strength of Olu Oluwatimi after overcoming difficult week" https://www.on3.com/college/michigan-wolverines/news/jim-harbaugh-raves-mental-strength-olu-oluwatimi-overcoming-difficult-week-virginia-transfer-shooting-uva-father-surgery/

A throwback to the spring game: 

And finally, "Olu Oluwatimi: 'The Standard Is National Championships' | Michigan Football Offensive Line Breakdown":

Let's keep this thread going (and give Olu more support, gratitude, and encouragement for staying strong after all the challenges he and his loved ones have faced). CS Mott Children's Hospital for every one of you.

Joined: 11/02/2022

MGoPoints: 2738

M-Dog

January 15th, 2023 at 11:27 AM ^

He went from a guy we didn't knew to a "Michigan Man" in our eyes, faster than anyone I have ever seen.  I wish we had more years with him. 

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 257515

AlbanyBlue

January 15th, 2023 at 4:10 PM ^

Says it all. One of the best players, and the best transfer I can think of, in Michigan history.

Thanks for everything -- especially the choice you made to come here!

Joined: 09/11/2010

MGoPoints: 22048