Michigan has its replacement for Andrew Vastardis along the offensive line.
With the sixth-year center on his way out, Olusegun (pronounced Oh-lah-sha-goon) “Victor” Oluwatimi will join the Wolverines’ football program for the 2022 season, he indicated Monday evening.
Michigan has not formally announced the addition, but the 6-foot-3, 310-pound Oluwatimi is currently listed in the university directory as a student studying social work.
Oluwatimi is a three-year starter at Virginia, where he earned second-team All-American honors and was a Rimington Trophy finalist. He entered the NCAA’s transfer portal on Dec. 6, four days after Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall resigned.
Scouting service Pro Football Focus graded Oluwatimi as the second-highest center in the country in run blocking.
Michigan’s recently introduced director of recruiting operations, Albert Karschnia, celebrated the announcement Monday evening on social media, calling offensive line coach (and Oluwatimi’s primary recruiter) Sherrone Moore “Joe” in honor of his group earning the Joe Moore Award.
The Wolverines anticipate losing at least two starting offensive linemen to expiring eligibility, Vastardis and right tackle Andrew Stueber, after the season ends. The group has been a strength for Michigan’s incredible turnaround on offense, spearheading a 12-1 record, Big Ten championship and berth to the College Football Playoff.
Oluwatimi, of Upper Marlboro, Md., is a former two-star recruit who began his collegiate career at Air Force in 2017.
