Field Gulls
Could Oluwatimi be the starting center that Seattle has been looking for?
Olu Oluwatimi’s season seemed destined to end as a backup. However, the surprising retirement of Connor Williams during the season gave the former Michigan player the starting job. Oluwatimi was solid, but not enough to calm the hearts of fans who, basically since Max Unger’s departure, have dreamed of having some stability at the position.
In 2025, Olu will enter training camp with starting status, unlike last year when he was competing with Nick Harris who joined the team at FA. He is not a unanimous choice among the fan base, but would he be able to stabilize the center role in Seattle?
During the 2024 season, Oluwatimi played in 12 games for the Seattle Seahawks, playing as a starter in the last eight. Among NFL centers (64 players with significant volume), he has recorded:
Overall PFF grade: 64.2 — ranking 24th
Pass-block grade: 54.8 (52nd out of 64)
Run-block grade: 65.8 (25th out of 64)
Penalties: 2 (23rd out of 64);
Allowed 0 sacks and only 8 total pressures (3 hits and 5 hurries);
Throughout the season, Oluwatimi has alternated between different types of pass sets, depending on the scheme and the opponent’s pressure:
When used: Against defensive tackles lined up in 0-tech or 1-tech.
How it works: Olu moves quickly after the snap to initiate almost immediate contact with the rusher, trying to reduce the opponent’s space and reaction time.
Effectiveness: Works well when the rusher tries to win by bull rush, because Olu can anchor quickly. However, it leaves him vulnerable to stunts and lateral deviations.
He tried to make the quickest contact and lost on a spin move. The hit he gave up was on the key play against the Vikings and ended in an interception by Geno Smith.
When used: In long 3rd down situations or against more explosive rushers who attack the A-gap or B-gap.
How it works: Olu drops back with two controlled steps before engaging, buying time to read blitzes or inside moves.
Effectiveness: Allowing field vision, it protects well against design switches, but demands more from his “anchor” — where he sometimes loses balance when facing low-pad level rushers.
When used: Occasionally on RPOs and fast-paced plays.
How it works: Involves an immediate forward run with a direct punch, trying to aggressively disrupt the rusher’s timing.
Effectiveness: Shown flashes of this technique — good against less skilled rushers, but risky against experienced pass rushers.
The anchor is the ability of the OL to absorb the force of a bull rush without compromising his position. Oluwatimi shows good foundations in this area, with room for refinement:
Olu has a naturally good base: feet hip-width apart, knees bent, and hips low....
