Olu Oluwatimi Bio
Olusegun Oluwatimi, known professionally as Olu Oluwatimi, is an American professional football center for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 140 kilograms, he plays the position in the middle of the offensive line. He played college football at the University of Virginia and the University of Michigan, where his senior season earned him national recognition as one of the top interior linemen in the country.
Oluwatimi began his NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks after being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. Across his first two professional seasons, he appeared in games both as a reserve and as a starter, building a reputation as a reliable, technically sound lineman. His journey from a Maryland high school program to the NFL reflects years of steady development through multiple college stops.
Early Life and Background
Olusegun Oluwatimi was born on August 5, 1999, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, in the United States. He grew up in the Maryland suburbs outside Washington, D.C., a region well known for producing competitive football talent. His path into the sport began at the youth level in Prince George’s County, where he developed into a highly regarded offensive lineman.
Oluwatimi attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, one of the most storied football programs in the Washington, D.C., area. At DeMatha, he played along the offensive line and drew attention from college recruiters for his size, footwork, and intelligence at the center position. His high school career set the foundation for his transition to college football.
After completing his prep career, Oluwatimi enrolled at the United States Air Force Academy in 2017, joining the Air Force Falcons football program. Although he was a member of the team, he did not appear in any games during his time with the Falcons. His decision to leave the academy came before he could log playing time, opening the door for his next collegiate chapter.
Path to American Football
Oluwatimi transferred to the University of Virginia in 2018 and joined the Virginia Cavaliers football program. After a period of development, he cracked the starting lineup and began a run of 32 consecutive starts at center from 2019 through 2021. During his time as a Cavalier, he became one of the most consistent interior linemen in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
In 2021, Oluwatimi was recognized as one of the three finalists for the Rimington Trophy, the annual award given to the best center in college football. That same year, the Football Writers Association of America named him a second-team All-American. He also earned second-team All-ACC honors, confirming his status among the top centers in the country. He graduated from Virginia in 2021 with a degree in economics.
In January 2022, Oluwatimi transferred as a graduate student to the University of Michigan to play for the Michigan Wolverines. The move paired him with one of the most powerful offensive lines in college football and gave him a final collegiate stage to showcase his skills.
Olu Oluwatimi Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Oluwatimi’s first extended run of playing time came at the University of Virginia, where he started 32 consecutive games for the Cavaliers from 2019 through 2021. His reliability in the middle of the offensive line helped anchor the team’s run game and pass protection. Coaches and teammates praised his technique, communication, and work ethic along the interior.
By the end of his Virginia tenure, Oluwatimi had earned second-team All-ACC recognition in 2021 and was widely viewed as one of the top center prospects in college football. His decision to use his final year of eligibility as a graduate transfer at Michigan set up one of the most decorated individual seasons of his career.
Michigan Wolverines Breakthrough (2022)
Playing for the Michigan Wolverines in 2022, Oluwatimi stepped into one of the most high-profile offensive lines in the country. He started at center and quickly became a leader in the trenches, helping Michigan’s offense dominate the line of scrimmage throughout the season. His experience, size, and football intelligence translated seamlessly into the Big Ten.
By the end of the season, Oluwatimi had earned the Outland Trophy as the best interior lineman in college football and the Rimington Trophy as the best center in the country. He was also named a consensus first-team All-American and a first-team All-Big Ten selection. He also received the Joe Moore Award, given to the top offensive line unit in college football, capping one of the most decorated senior seasons for any offensive lineman in recent memory.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2023–Present)
Oluwatimi was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round, 154th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft. He joined a team rebuilding its offensive line and looked to earn a role at center. During the 2023 preseason, he played in two of three games, sitting out the second with an injury as he adjusted to the professional game.
As a rookie in 2023, Oluwatimi appeared in 16 games and made one start, opening the year as the backup center behind free-agent signing Evan Brown. In 2024, he appeared in 12 games and started eight, showing expanded responsibility within Seattle’s offensive line rotation. His development continued to trend upward through his first two NFL seasons.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Oluwatimi’s college career came in 2022, when he swept the Outland Trophy, Rimington Trophy, and Joe Moore Award while earning consensus first-team All-American honors. His transition from an Air Force cadet who never played to a consensus All-American stands out as a milestone of perseverance and steady development.
Olu Oluwatimi Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Oluwatimi’s statistical impact is measured less in traditional win totals and more in team success and individual awards. Across his college stops, he earned All-ACC honors, All-Big Ten recognition, and consensus All-American status, along with three major national awards in 2022. At the NFL level, his production has been tracked through games played and starts rather than victories directly attributed to him.
Michigan Wolverines Highlights
During his lone season with the Michigan Wolverines in 2022, Oluwatimi anchored one of the top offensive lines in college football. He earned the Outland Trophy, the Rimington Trophy, and the Joe Moore Award, while being named a consensus first-team All-American and a first-team All-Big Ten selection. His play helped pave the way for one of the most productive rushing attacks in the country.
Olu Oluwatimi Family
Personal Life
Olusegun Oluwatimi is an American by nationality and was raised in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. His educational background includes time at DeMatha Catholic High School, the United States Air Force Academy, the University of Virginia, and the University of Michigan, reflecting a journey shaped by academic ambition and athletic development.
2025 Season Performance
Oluwatimi began the 2025 season as a backup center for the Seattle Seahawks after losing the starting competition to Jalen Sundell. He worked within Seattle’s offensive line rotation and stayed prepared to step into a larger role when called upon. His veteran presence and college résumé kept him firmly in the team’s long-term plans at center.
On November 15, 2025, Oluwatimi assumed starting center duties after Sundell was placed on injured reserve. The midseason promotion gave him another chance to log significant snaps at the professional level and to demonstrate the traits that made him an All-American. His performance down the stretch will be a key storyline for Seattle’s offensive line heading into the offseason.