I’ve lodged a Crystal Ball projecting Virginia center
Victor Oluwatimi to Michigan. The Rimington award finalist took official visits to Ann Arbor and Clemson last week, and as was reported in Wednesday’s Webblog, 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, but I’m now told an announcement may not come until after Virginia plays in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl on December 29th. That means even if Oluwatimi opts for someone other than Cavaliers, new headman Tony Elliott will have time to try and change his mind.
Oluwatimi shared the rationale behind his decision timeline during Elliott’s introductory press conference earlier this week.
"There was a lot that went into (the choice to enter the portal), and I just kind of felt was the right decision for me,"
Oluwatimi told Wahoos247. "I spoke to Coach 2J [Garett Tujague], I spoke to Coach Mendenhall, and they were all for it. I'm in a stressful time. Gotta make a decision coming up and see what's happening next year, because, you know, I got to respect coach Elliott's time and the scholarships, and then I got to respect other schools with their scholarship situation."
Despite Oluwatimi’s elongated announcement timeline, sources in Michigan class circles, and as of this morning, Virginia class circles all believe Ann Arbor will wind up being his destination. That’s enough for me to lodge the pick with a confidence level of seven.
If the Wolverines do wind up landing the 6-3, 310-pounder, they will be bolstering a position that would be high on talent next year with youngsters Greg Crippen and Raheem Anderson, but low on experience. Oluwatimi started all 12 games for the Cavaliers this season, and 32 straight dating back to 2019. In addition to his Rimington recognition, he was also ranked the second-best run blocking center in the country by Pro Football Focus tabbed with a grade of 90.2. Oluwatimi also earned Second Team All-ACC Honors.
Stay tuned to The Michigan Insider with more on Oluwatimi in the days and weeks to come.
The O-line next year