Olu Oluwatimi was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Oluwatimi played at both the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia. Let's get to know more about the rookie center with a "Timeout with the Seahawks" presented by Delta.
Who is his inspiration?
"Definitely my parents. Just how hard they work and finding something that I love and I'm kind of good at. That gives me the kind of strength to work hard whenever I feel like I don't want to."
What was it like playing college football?
"It was awesome. I ended up playing well at two universities and was drafted and won a bunch of games and awards. My college career was very good."
Would he go back to college?
"Not at this age, my body couldn't take that. But it was definitely fun and your college years are some of the best times of your life."
What is his mentality now being in the NFL?
"My mentality has been good coming into camp. Just knowing the difference between an NFL camp and a college camp. It's more mental than physical. You have to use the right technique to win because everybody is really good. Doing things the right way to be a pro is something that I have learned."
What are the differences between college and NFL?
"Practices are shorter, but each rep matters more because you don't have as many reps. Each play is kind of like a test at practice. A lot is going on and a lot of moving parts and you got to be able to silence the moving parts and lock in. I got to snap the ball at the right time and make that block."
Favorite thing to do during the offseason?
"I like hanging out with my family. Playing video games and playing cards is something that is fun. Spades is my favorite game."
What are his expectations for this season?
"To be the best teammate I can be and the best player I can be for this organization. Whatever role I am in, just kind of own it and continue to get better week by week."
What are his comfort meals?
"Growing up I ate a lot of Nigerian food, me being Nigerian. Anytime I go home my mom is just jumping to cook for me and I love her cooking. That is the comfort food."
Who are the top five people he'd want to meet, dead or alive?
"I want to meet Kendrick Lamar, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Peyton Manning, and Trent Williams."
What is his favorite music to listen to?
"I listen to a lot of Afro beats and gospel music. Those are the two things that are circulating throughout my playlist. I don't have a specific hype song. I don't use music to hype me up, I use it to just vibe and just chill."
What is his opinion of Washington?
"I haven't been able to really sight-see being here at camp. I love the weather in the summer. The sun is out, it's perfect weather… 70-80 degree weather, right on the lake. My time in Seattle has been awesome."
What would he tell his younger self?
"Even though some days may be hard and tough being in a sport. Whether you have a bad practice or you just don't feel like getting up for practice. Just keep your head down, and keep continuing the goal of getting better. Be a great person and teammate along the way."
What does he like to do on a day off back home?
"Back home a day off, a lot of Facetime with my girlfriend. Chilling with my older brother and my family. Just sitting and talking to my parents because I am barely home. Just spending as much time with them. And playing video games, Call of Duty for sure."
Take a look at the 53-man roster for the 2023 Seahawks.
0 LB Devin Bush is in his fifth season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks linebacker Devin Bush (0)
1 WR Dee Eskridge is in his third season in the NFL and his third season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge (1)
2 QB Drew Lock is in his fifth season in the NFL and his second season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2)
4 P Michael Dickson is in his sixth season in the NFL and his sixth season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4)
5 K Jason Myers is in his ninth season in the NFL and his fifth season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5)
6 S Quandre Diggs is in his ninth season in the NFL and his fifth season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (6)
7 QB Geno Smith is in his 11th season in the NFL and his fifth season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7)
8 CB Coby Bryant is in his second year in the NFL and his second year with the Seahawks.
Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant (8)
9 RB Kenneth Walker III is in his second year in the NFL and his second season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9)
11 WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba is in his first season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11)
14 WR DK Metcalf is in his fifth season in the NFL and his fifth season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14)
16 WR Tyler Lockett is in his ninth season in the NFL and his ninth season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16)
19 WR Jake Bobo is in his first season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19)
20 FS Julian Love is in his fifth season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20)
21 CB Devon Witherspoon is in his first season in the NFL and first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21)
22 CB Tre Brown is in his third season in the NFL and his third season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22)
23 CB Artie Burns is in his eighth season in the NFL and his second season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks cornerback Artie Burns (23)
25 RB Kenny McIntosh is in his first season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
26 RB Zach Charbonnet is in his first season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26)
27 CB Riq Woolen is in his second season in the NFL and his second season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27)
30 CB Michael Jackson is in his fifth season in the NFL and his third season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks cornerback Michael Jackson (30)
31 RB DeeJay Dallas is in his fourth season in the NFL and his fourth season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks running back DeeJay Dallas (31)
32 S Jerrick Reed II is in his first season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32)
33 SS Jamal Adams is in his seventh season in the NFL and his fourth season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (33)
Seahawks TE Brady Russell is in his first season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38).
41 LS Chris Stoll is in his first season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
44 FB/LB Nick Bellore is in his 13th season in the NFL and his fifth season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks fullback/linebacker Nick Bellore (44)
51 C Olu Oluwatimi is in his first season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51)
52 LB Darrell Taylor is in his fourth season in the NFL and fourth season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52)
53 LB Boye Mafe is in his second season in the NFL and his second season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53)
54 LB Bobby Wagner is in his 12th season in the NFL and his 11th season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54)
55 DE Dre'Mont Jones is in his fifth season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (55)
56 LB Jordyn Brooks is in his fourth season in the NFL and his fourth season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks (56)
Seahawks outside linebacker Frank Clark (57).
58 LB Derick Hall is in his first season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58)
59 LB Jon Rhattigan is in his third season in the NFL and his third season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks linebacker Jon Rhattigan (59)
63 C Evan Brown is in his sixth season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks center Evan Brown (63)
Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle McClendon Curtis (66)
Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle McClendon Curtis (66)
67 OT Charles Cross is in his second season in the NFL and his second season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67)
68 G Damien Lewis is in his fourth season in the NFL and his fourth season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks guard Damien Lewis (68)
72 OT Abraham Lucas is in his second season in the NFL and his second season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72)
75 G Anthony Bradford is in his first season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seattle Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75)
78 OT Stone Forsythe is in his third season in the NFL and his third season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks tackle Stone Forsythe (78)
Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Raiqwon O'Neal (79)
Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Raiqwon O'Neal (79)
84 TE Colby Parkinson is in his fourth season in the NFL and his fourth season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson (84)
87 TE Noah Fant is in his fifth season in the NFL and second season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87)
89 TE Will Dissly is in his sixth season in the NFL and his sixth season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks tight end Will Dissly (89)
90 DE Jarran Reed is in his eighth season in the NFL and his sixth season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90)
93 NT Cameron Young is in his first season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks nose tackle Cameron Young (93)
95 NT Myles Adams is in his fourth season in the NFL and his fourth season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks defensive end Myles Adams (95)
97 Mario Edwards Jr is in his ninth season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (97)
