Oluwatimi Chosen as Rimington Finalist for Top Center
12/5/2022 12:19:00 PM | Football
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Center Olusegun Oluwatimi of the No. 2-ranked University of Michigan football team was announced on Monday (Dec. 5) as one of three finalists for the Rimington Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding center in FBS football.
Oluwatimi is the fourth Wolverine to be named a finalist and would be the program's third winner, joining David Baas (2004, co-winner) and David Molk (2011). The winner will be named during ESPN's College Football Home Depot Awards Show on Thursday (Dec. 8).
The honor comes after Oluwatimi helped the Wolverines reach 13 wins for the first time in program history (13-0) with a win over Purdue in the Big Ten Championship game last weekend. U-M out-rushed Purdue 225-90 in the win. Oluwatimi is also a finalist for the Outland Trophy given to college football's best interior lineman.
Recognized as an All-Big Ten first-team (coaches) honoree last week, Oluwatimi anchors the nation's No. 6 rushing attack in the country (243.0 yards per game) which ranks as the Big Ten's best. The U-M offensive line, a candidate for the Joe Moore Award, has boosted the team's run game to 5.97 sack-adjusted yards per carry with nearly three rushing touchdowns per game (38 touchdowns, No. 2, NCAA).
In the passing game, the Wolverines have allowed only 13 sacks across 13 games. Oluwatimi has been charged with no sacks and only nine total pressures allowed on 360 pass-blocking snaps. Oluwatimi is one of two U-M linemen to start all 13 games this year. The tone-setter and signal-caller for the line, he has helped the offense reach No. 7 nationally in points per game (40.1).
