Michigan Football: 2 newcomers who’ll have the biggest impact in 2022
There are two newcomers — one a freshman, one a graduate transfer, that are going to have a major impact on Michigan football this season.
The Michigan football season is about to start in three weeks as of this writing. Players will be making contributions to help the team achieve successful goals.
The games allow them to display how talented they are; while also taking advantage of the opportunity ahead of them. Here are two new Wolverines who can make an immediate impact this season.
The man in the middle
The Offensive line is not the position group that gets the notoriety as quarterbacks and wide receivers do. Do not be fooled by that perception; these maulers up front deserve much respect and credibility for protecting the QB and pushing the defenses backward to pick up first downs throughout the game
Olusegun Oluwatimi is a graduate transfer from the University of Virginia; he stands 6-foot-3 while weighing 307 pounds. Last season he was a Rimington Award finalist. This award goes out to the best center in college football. Pro Football Focus stated he was the 12th best center in the country, top twelve means you are elite at your position among well over 100 centers.
Oluwatimi is an essential part of that offensive line. The center has to identify a multitude of assignments on the field each play; for the duration of the entire game. We are talking about blitz pick-ups and identifying defensive line shifts; while speaking about gap control to his peers on offense. His on-field awareness allows the quarterback to make audibles and quick reads to gain yards consistently on the field
Michigan football has an experienced center with phenomenal run blocking skills, displaying elite metrics for an offensive lineman. Add those skills with a great offensive line that last season won the Joe Moore award; Oluwatimi can have immediate success for the Maize and Blue in 2022.
Michigan football and its prized freshman
We are now moving along to the defensive side of the ball. That’s where five-star cornerback Will Johnson resides. He is the second impactful player that can make a difference this upcoming season. Scouts across the country love his many talents.
Will Johnson is the top-ranked corner in the 2022 class according to Rivals.com Recruiting at Michigan received a tremendous boost from his signing. His talents strengthen the defensive back room that has playmakers with experience. Cornerbacks DJ Turner and Gemon Green return to give the Wolverines a great starting duo on the outside.
The 6-foot-2 corner from Detriot comes to Ann Arbor with a ton of hype. After reading multiple reports from various publications, he has definitely lived up to the high expectations up to this point, showing his abilities during spring and summer practices. His athleticism and play-making coverage skills have excelled while playing zone coverage. He can also play man coverage which will be required to gain playing time in this defense.
The fluidity with his hip movements while showcasing astonishing foot speed allows him to cover small and tall wide receivers. His height negates jump ball throws from the opposition; his intelligence allows him to be in the right spots to make opportunistic plays on defense. The player characteristics coupled with definitive instincts; constitute Johnson being a diversified corner with exceptional upside.
Next. 3 exciting tidbits from Michigan football fall camp. dark
With these two new playmakers on board, they can impact both sides of the ball. Their talents will help Michigan football grow and advance as the season progresses and the impact will reflect in the wins column this season.