August 12, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

Looking for respect

by Rick Eymer

Timi Wusu may not be the fastest man on Stanford's football team, nor is he the biggest or the strongest. One thing is clear according to his teammates: Wusu is one of the most respected members of the team.

The Palo Alto High grad enters his senior season with a chance to start at outside linebacker as fall camp opens next Tuesday. The one-time walk-on - he's on scholarship these days - has earned the chance because of his work ethic and his commitment for excellence.

"Our lives are very similar," Stanford senior nose tackle Babatunde Oshinowo said. "We're both first generation immigrants, we believe in Christ, we believe in school and while he could have gone somewhere else to play, he choose to come here as a walk-on. I respect him for that."

Wusu (6-3, 230), who has fought back from some injuries since coming to Stanford, has earned two varsity letters while becoming one of the top special teams player. He's also moved around on the field, beginning his Cardinal career as a free safety. He's also been used as a strong safety, but comes to camp this year as an outside linebacker.

The linebacking corps may be Stanford's strength on defense this year as the Cardinal seek to gain the respect of the Pac-10.

"Timi had to work extra hard, and he had to do well in school," Stanford senior cornerback T.J. Rushing said. "He's always been a great teammate."

Rushing made it a point to include all the walk-ons as teammates, and said he was ecstatic to learn junior long snapper Brent Newhouse (6-4, 235) had been given a scholarship. "That's wonderful news," he said.

(Newhouse said he patterns his play after Dave Binn, who not only earned a scholarship at Cal as a long snapper, but played in the NFL for several years.)

With second team All-Pac-10 selection Jon Alston (6-1, 220) leading the way, linebacker may be Stanford's most talented and deepest position on the field. The Cardinal return five letter winners at both the outside position and inside spot.

Alston, one of two returning starters at linebacker with Kevin Schimmelmann (6-3, 228) is clearly at the head of the class.

"It's a very talented group," Alston said. "We're not young at all. We've been playing for awhile. Kevin added a few pounds and is just as fast, Timi is up to 230 and he can play, and (Michael) Okwo expects to be one of the best."

Alston recorded 61 tackles, 14 for a loss, 9 1-2 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

"I don't like to be a vocal guy," he said. "I like to lead by example. I have a lot of insights that I can share with my teammates. I think the team will look to the seniors to be organizers."

Schimmelmann, a fifth-year senior like Alston, started the first nine games last year, and was the team leader in tackles before an injury ended his season. He's also played musical chairs with defensive positions, spending time at inside linebacker, outside linebacker, free safety and strong safety in a Cardinal uniform.

Okwo (6-0, 220) started in Schimmelmann's place last year, and finished with 39 tackles for the season. The junior was an All-Pac-10 special teams selection along with kickoff returner T.J. Rushing.

Wusu, who also competed on Stanford's track and field team for three years, was an All-Pac-10 Academic pick. On the field he began earning his reputation for toughness as a redshirt freshman in 2002, picking up the Phil Moffat Award as the team's top defensive special teams player.

Wusu appeared in the season opener against San Jose State the next year, but sustained a knee injury which caused him to miss the rest of the year.

He had 20 tackles last year, including a career-best nine in Stanford's victory over Washington.

"I know if I'm doing my job, the linebackers will be there to back me up," Oshinowo said. "The seniors are getting everybody on the same page."

Oshinowo and Wusu have been together every step of the way. They even made the same recruiting trip, though Oshinowo came from Naperville, Illinois while Wusu just had to walk across the El Camino Real.

"What can I say about him? He's basically family to me," Oshinowo said.

Wusu had some success on the track, finishing sixth in the Pac-10 meet in the decathlon in 2003. He raced 54.28 in the 400 intermediate hurdles as a freshman; the fifth-fastest time by a freshman in school history.

Fifth-year senior Michael Craven (6-1, 235) came to Stanford as one of the most prized recruits in 2001. He started several games at outside linebacker as a redshirt freshman and sophomore, but was used mainly on special teams last year.

Junior Mike Silva (6-2, 225) moved to inside linebacker from the outside last season. He's best known for an interception against USC in a near upset. He also recorded a quarterback sack and a tackle for a loss in that game.

Juniors Emmanuel Awofadeju (6-4, 240), Landon Johnson (6-1, 230) and Udeme Udofia (6-4, 240), all returning lettermen, will be vying for playing time at the linebacker position.

Stanford had the third best scoring defense in the Pac-10 last year, allowing an average of 21.2 points a game. Only national champions USC and nationally ranked Cal were better. The Cardinal were eighth (328.5 yards a game) in total defense.

"With our past history and struggles, we are more than ready to move forward," Alston said.

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