Timi Wusu....

[Angry Pope]

Same thing as with Buchanon...

Timi Wusu

Hometown:

Palo Alto, CA

High School:

Palo Alto HS

Height / Weight:

6-3 / 230

Position:

OLB

Birthdate:

06/10/1983

Seasons At Stanford:

2001-05



Pronunciation: Timmy WOO-su

At Stanford: Throughout his Cardinal career, Timi has not only been one of the school's best decathletes on the track team, but he has earned two letters in football as well ... He has played free safety, strong safety and outside linebacker for the Cardinal ... He has put himself in position to compete for a starting spot at one outside linebacker spot and play a more prominent role ... Has been slowed by injuries the past few years, but when healthy he has proven to be a very productive player for the Cardinal ... A walk-on in 2001 out of Palo Alto High School ... In track, he placed sixth in the conference meet in the decathlon in 2003 ... Has competed in track for three years.

Career Stats

The 2005 Season: Game-By-Game Statistics

The 2004 Season: Earned his second varsity letter while playing in 10 of 11 games as a backup outside linebacker and special teams player ... Accounted for 20 tackles, including 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss ... Had his best game of the year in Stanford's 27-13 win over Washington when he recorded a career-best nine total tackles that included 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss ... Had five tackles in Stanford's season-opening victory over San Jose State and four in game No. 10 vs. Oregon State ... Earned honorable mention Academic All-Pac-10 honors.

Game-By-Game Statistics

The 2003 Season: Played in the season opener vs. San Jose State, but suffered a knee injury that kept him out the remainder of the season ... Was battling for the starting role at strong safety before the injury.

The 2002 Season: Earned his first varsity letter as a backup free safety and member of the Cardinal's special teams ... Most of his playing time came on special teams ... Had eight tackles and one pass break up ... In game No. 10 vs. Oregon State, he had five tackles, including four solos ... Winner of the Phil Moffat Award as the team's top Defensive Special Teams Player.

The 2001 Season: Did not play in 2001 as a true freshman safety. In Track: Three-year member of Stanford's nationally-ranked track team ... One of the Cardinal's top decathletes in 2003 and '04 ... Finished sixth in the decathlon (7,016 points) and eighth in the long jump (23-6 3/4") at the 2003 Pac-10 Championships ... Had the team's top mark in the pole vault (13-5 1/4") in '03 ... He was also second on the team in the 110 hurdles (14.76), high jump (6-5 1/2") and long jump (23-11 1/2") ... His other best marks included 172-2" in the javelin and 42-11 3/4" in the shot put ... Ran the 110- and 400-meter hurdles in his freshman season in 2002 ... Ran a wind-aided 14.69 in the 110 hurdles to qualify for the Pac-10 Championships ... That was the top time on the team in '02 ... Recorded a season-best time of 54.28 in the 400 intermediate hurdles, which was the fifth best time by a freshman in Stanford history.

In High School: Named Palo Alto High School Athlete of the Year as a senior ... Started at cornerback for two years and at wide receiver as a senior ... Named League Defensive MVP as a senior ... Chosen to play in the Silicon Valley Youth Classic All-Star Game ... Also participated in track and wrestling ... Central Coast Section track champion in the 300 intermediate hurdles ... Won track All-League honors in the 300 intermediate hurdles, 110 high hurdles and the high jump (6-8) ... Also an All-League selection in wrestling.

Personal Information: Born June 10, 1983 ... Human Biology major ... Parents are of Nigerian descent.


Getting To Know: Timi Wusu

Nickname: Wusage, Darkness!

I would describe myself as a person as: helpful
What people don't know about me is: I have an outie belly button
The reason I love football is: The displays of athleticism showcased in every game.
For me to improve as a person, I need to: Prioritize better; learn to say "no"
My favorite pre-game ritual is: Listening to music
My greatest athletic moment is: jumping 6' 8.5 to get school record for HJ in HS
The teammate I admire the most is: Kevin Schimmelmann
My favorite stadium in which to play is: Rose Bowl
A friend from another college football team is: Drew Hodgdon (ASU)
The reason I chose Stanford University is: Childhood dream
The best thing about Stanford is: The friendliness of the entire community
My least favorite class at Stanford is: Chem 31
The person I admire most is: my Dad
The three people in history I admire most are: Jesus Christ, Joseph (with the multi-colored robe), and Hannibal of Carthage
Best book I have read: China Boy
Favorite food: Chinese
Least Favorite food: Tofu
If I had to cook all of my meals, I'd probably survive on: Pasta and Rice
Favorite movie: The Rock
Favorite TV show: Family Guy
Favorite actor: Nicholas Cage
Favorite actress: Rosario Dawson
If a movie were made of my life, I would have the following actor play me: Tyrese
Favorite musical group or performer: Usher
If I were not playing college football, I would be: Dancing
After my Stanford career, I'd like to be remembered as: Trustworthy
The best advice I ever received was: God will see you through
The people who had the greatest influence on my life: my parents
One moment in history I wish I could have seen: Paul walking on water
The place I'd most like to visit: Virgin Islands
Hobbies: Dancing
Ten years from now, I'd like to be: A doctor, married, with a sweet pad
My advice to youngsters: Forgive more
My most prized possession: My sound system/DVD player
If I won $1 million, I would: travel the world, then pay off med school

 

[Angry Pope]

Looking for respect

Stanford gets downright defensive as it looks ahead to new football season

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.

 

[Angry Pope]

Raiders notes: Wusu makes no bones about his intensity

By Jason Jones
Published 12:01 am PDT Thursday, August 10, 2006


NAPA -- Timi Wusu knows a forced fumble could help pay for medical school someday.

That's enough to keep him playing hard.


The undrafted rookie free-agent linebacker's tenacity has caught the attention of the Raiders' coaching staff, possibly delaying Wusu's postgraduate plans.

Wusu graduated from Stanford with a degree in human biology. The longer he plays football, the more he can soften the blow of medical school expenses as he tries to become an orthopedic surgeon.

"I just want to stay around sports," Wusu said of his orthopedics goal. "The mechanics of the human body fascinates me, and athletes demonstrate a higher order of mechanics."

Wusu's immediate concern is busting up the blocking wedge on kickoffs. And he's going all out, throwing his 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame around to make plays.

"The one thing anybody can take care of is just effort, 100 percent effort no matter what," Wusu said. "No matter what's going on, you've got to get back up because coaches do notice that."

And after his solid preseason debut against Philadelphia (four tackles, two special-teams tackles and one forced fumble), the coaches notice. Wusu's play was among the highlights among young players trying to make the team.

"You watch the film, you practice, he does some good things," coach Art Shell said. "All of a sudden, he gets in a game, and he does some of those same things. So that's good -- that's impressive."

Wusu was raised in Palo Alto by Nigerian parents of the Yoruba tribe, which he said emphasizes education, respect and work ethic.

Wusu's name personifies him.

His full first name is Oluwatimilehin, meaning "God is my rock." He often speaks in spiritual terms when talking about how he has made it this far in football. Wusu means "mighty warrior." The warrior spirit is evident so far.

Wusu walked on at Stanford and was limited by injuries his final three seasons. He sent out what game film he had to NFL teams, and the Raiders called. Wusu also worked with trainer Marv Marinovich in Southern California to get in shape.

"He's really doing a good job out there as far as going full speed all the time in practice, and it showed up in the game," linebacker and special-teams player Ryan Riddle said. "So he's doing what he needs to do to make the team."

Wusu doesn't plan to stop going all out.

"You can get cut at any moment. … There's no relaxing," he said.

First team? -- Shell is almost ready to announce that first-round draft pick Michael Huff is the starting strong safety.

Huff started Sunday, but Shell has not said publicly he's a starter.

"He's still working with the first group, so he's doing well," Shell said. "I would say he's on the way to being the guy if he continues to grow."

Throwbacks -- More former Raiders are stopping by camp with Shell in charge. Former Pro Bowlers Raymond Chester (tight end), Cliff Branch (wide receiver) and Lester Hayes (cornerback) attended practice Wednesday afternoon.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Raiders camp report

Quote of the day: "You're right, it's not the Chi-Lites or the Temptations," -- Coach Art Shell, who still is having trouble adjusting to the music the team plays while lifting weights. Wednesday's rapper, unintelligible for Shell, was Lil' Wayne.

Play of the day: Shell didn't like the lack of physical play early in the Raiders' preseason opener Sunday. Wednesday was the first practice in pads since then, and it didn't take long for the Raiders to respond. Early into the morning practice, middle linebacker Kirk Morrison met running back LaMont Jordan with a loud thud that sent Jordan to the grass with a thud of his own.

Player watch: Wideout Jerry Porter made some plays in the passing game while working with the backups, showing no problems with the calf strain that kept him in and out of practice the past two weeks. After Porter made a reaching grab in the afternoon, receiver Randy Moss hollered, "It's about time." Safety Jarrod Cooper yelled, "Why don't you do that with the ones?" Porter's response: "I'm not with the ones anymore."

Injury report: Rookie receiver Kevin McMahan didn't practice because of a mild concussion suffered against Philadelphia. He initially was said to have a sore jaw and a lacerated tongue after being hit by two Eagles defenders. McMahan said he hopes to practice today.

• Linebacker Robert Thomas (calf) said he expects to practice soon.

 

[Angry Pope]

Undrafted Wusu may be special find for the Raiders

Bruce Adams

Thursday, August 10, 2006



Timi Wusu smiles broadly when he talks about his family's Nigerian heritage. His smile grows and he seems to stand a bit taller when he describes himself as a "warrior."

In fact, his tribe -- the Yoruba -- is known more for its artwork than for its fighting. But allow Wusu his moment. Once again, he's battling for his life in football.

He came to Stanford in 2001 from Palo Alto High as a walk-on and left as a first-team All-Pac-10 special-teams player. Now he's in the Raiders' training camp at Napa, an undrafted rookie free agent hoping to make the cut.

"I've been a longshot from the get-go," he said.

Wusu helped his cause considerably in Sunday's 16-10 preseason win over the Eagles, with a team-leading four tackles on defense and two more on special teams. And in the process, he caught the eye of head coach Art Shell.

"Two weeks of training camp, it's kind of tough to get our understanding of people until you get the pads on," Shell said, noting Wusu already had been impressive on the practice field. "All of a sudden, he gets in a game and he does some of those same things. So, that's good, that's impressive."

Wusu's first name is short for Oluwatimilchin, Nigerian for "God is my rock." Indeed, Wusu, born in the Virgin Islands and raised in Palo Alto, is a devout young man who credits divine help for his accomplishments. It certainly helps that he's an all-around athlete -- he also competed as a decathlete at Stanford -- and was raised to strive for the best.

"My parents always stressed academics and working hard," he said. "I transferred that to football."

He shares his culture with Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, a former rival from Cal and a member of the Ibo tribe.

"We have different tribes," Wusu said, "but once we come to America, the tribes go out the window."

Wusu started his career at Stanford as a safety and was moved to linebacker. At 6-foot-3, 232 pounds, the Raiders are playing Wusu at outside linebacker -- although if he makes the regular-season roster, it likely will be because of his talents in another phase of the game.

"My best asset has been special teams and that's how I'm going to make the team," he said. "I love playing special teams. Hit people, hit people, get to the ball. ... I want to be the guy hitting the wedge."

Wusu played special teams throughout his career at Stanford, not really cracking the regular starting lineup until his last year after being slowed by a series of injuries.

He hired a personal trainer before his senior year, worked out again this offseason and says he's 100 percent healthy. Despite a bust-out senior year, with 24 tackles -- including a team-best nine in Stanford's win over Washington -- Wusu was bypassed in the draft.

"That just made me more hungry," he said.

Wusu's Nigerian-born parents also raised him to respect anyone who is older, which now translates to his viewing his coaches as tribal elders. He's doing his best to pay his respects, saying he does everything with "100 percent effort" and is conscious of keeping mistakes to a minimum.

"Coaches do notice," he said. "They do notice."

That's certainly true of Shell, who said he often noticed Wusu in the thick of things during Sunday's game.

"I just want to be where the ball is all the time," Wusu said.

 

[Angry Pope]

Another player with a great attitude.

 

[Rupert]

You just hope he has the skills to be more than just p-squad material.

If he's an enternal special-teamer and decent backup, that's good for the chemistry of the team. If he's a starter, it's great for the chemistry of the team.