BUMP AND STACY

Ray Roberts thinks new Seahawks center Oluwatimi can solidify OL

May 19, 2023, 1:56 PM

Seattle Seahawks draft Olu Oluwatimi...

Michigan center lineman Olusegun Oluwatimi on Nov. 5, 2022. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

(Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Seattle Seahawks added some big boys to the trenches during the third day of this past NFL Draft.

Bump & Stacy: Why Seattle Seahawks’ TEs are worth keeping an eye on

On defense, the Seahawks drafted nose tackle Cameron Young and defensive end Mike Morris. Offensively, Seattle added two big interior linemen, first of which was LSU guard Anthony Bradford.

And in the fifth round, the Hawks added standout Michigan center Olu Oluwatimi, who is certainly someone former NFL offensive lineman Ray Roberts is keeping a close eye on this offseason.

“I’ve kind of been on him since even before the draft,” Roberts told Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy on Friday.

That’s very true, as Oluwatimi was a draft prospect Roberts highlighted with Bump and Stacy back in March.

Now, Oluwatimi plays for the Seahawks, Roberts’ former team and the team Roberts helps cover for the Seahawks Radio Network.

Despite being a Day 3 pick, Roberts thinks Oluwatimi could be a plug-and-play guy, similar to another Seahawks offensive lineman.

“Olu Oluwatimi is the guy that I’ve kind of had my eye on because to me, he’s kind of like Damien Lewis,” Roberts said.

The Seahawks took Lewis, a guard, out of LSU back in 2020 and he started Week 1 as a rookie. Now, Lewis is entering his fourth season with the Seahawks as a starter.

“Damien Lewis came in and like right from the get go, Pete Carroll said, ‘You’re starting at right guard,’ and he just never looked back,” Roberts said. “And I think Olu has a chance to do the same thing.”

So why does Roberts think Oluwatimi could play right away as a rookie?

“He ran a similar running game in college. He’s very adept at it. He knows where to go, how to get there, he’s a smart guy. He’s a bigger dude, especially in his lower half of his body, so he can anchor a little better,” Roberts said. “I’m just excited to see the guy who was pretty much the best center in the country for the last two years and the best interior lineman, period – offensive or defense – last year (winning the Outland Trophy) … I really think that he has an opportunity to kind of solidify the middle of that offensive line.”

Listen to all Bump and Stacy podcasts at this link.

SEC analyst explains what Seattle Seahawks are getting with Derick Hall

Bump & Stacy Show

Bump and Stacy

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: Trey Wingo on what the Seattle Seahawks will try to do in this year’s NFL Draft

What does Trey Wingo think about what the Seattle Seahawks will try to do in this year’s NFL Draft? What will be the identity of this team after the first draft with Mike Macdonald as head coach? He joined Michael Bumpus and Stacy Rost to talk about that and what Seattle might be thinking about […]

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith quarterback...

Stacy Rost

Are Seahawks really not Super Bowl contenders because of QB?

FOX Sports' Joel Klatt said the Seattle Seahawks "don't have the requisite quarterback play" to be a Super Bowl contender. Is he right?

1 day ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: BREAKING: The Washington Huskies reportedly hire AD Pat Chun from rival Washington State University

What did former WSU great Michael Bumpus have to say about now reportedly former AD Pat Chun leaving WSU for UW? What does this mean for both school’s going forward? What was the biggest factor in his decision to leave? Watch Bump and Stacy react to the breaking news and give their instant thoughts on […]

2 days ago

UW Huskies Danny Sprinkle coach...

Brent Stecker

Insider View: Who is new UW Huskies coach Danny Sprinkle?

With Danny Sprinkle coming to the UW Huskies after leading Utah State to the NCAA Tournament, Utah State announcer Scott Garrard shares his insight on the new Dawgs basketball coach.

3 days ago

Seattle Mariners Jonny Farmelo...

Brent Stecker

While breaking down Mariners, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers interrupted by cops

ESPN MLB reporter Jesse Rogers was on his way to sharing why he thinks the Seattle Mariners will win the AL West when the police stopped him.

3 days ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: ESPN’s Jesse Rogers gets interrupted by the police live on air with Bump and Stacy

What led to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers getting interrupted by the police live on air with Michael Bumpus and Stacy Rost? Did he make it back on air after talking with the cops? Watch the video as it happened live and find out what he got busted for. Be sure to click the link below to […]

3 days ago

Ray Roberts thinks new Seahawks center Oluwatimi can solidify OL