Five-star offensive tackle Andrew Babalola has committed to Michigan, giving Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines a major addition to their 2025 class. Here is what Maize and Blue faithful need to know about him:
WHAT ANDREW BABALOLA SAYS ABOUT MICHIGAN
A relationship with the staff has been cultivated over time but was aided by an official visit in June. Head coach Sherrone Moore and offensive line coach Grant Newsome also recently attended one of Babalola’s games.
“For Michigan, it was just the right fit in the end. Overall, it had a family feel and I was blessed to have a bunch of great options and schools to choose from, but with Michigan, it came down to the family feel and knowing I would be taken care of with academics off the field and then on the field, the development. That all made me comfortable knowing Michigan was the place for me,” Babalola said.
After several proposed decision dates, Babalola admitted it was not an easy call.
“It was truly, truly difficult,” he said. “I was thinking I would take the path most recruits take of taking official visits then deciding at the end of June or some time in July, but ultimately, that didn’t happen. So it was just taking time with family, sitting down and seeing what I want and it came to me recently, but it was really hard.”
Moore and Newsome were important pieces of Babalola’s decision.
“The thing about them was overall was their personalities and how much they love Michigan,” Babalola said. “They are Michigan men through and through. They’ve obviously had a tough season and there’s been a lot of criticism, but I believe in them and I believe in their plan and vision for Michigan. I wouldn’t have committed if I didn’t believe in them and they didn’t believe in me.”
Two years ago, Babalola hadn’t played football. Now he is ready to play in front of the biggest crowd in college football.
“First and foremost, thanks to God. It’s a huge blessing knowing where I came from and now knowing where I’m going,” he said. “Now I can’t stop, I have to keep going. There is a lot more work to be done, but I’m very proud and blessed with how far I came and where I’m going from here.”
WHO ELSE WAS IN THE MIX?
Stanford was considered the primary competition for a while, but as his commitment got closer, Auburn also made a strong push and Missouri also gave a good effort at turning things in their direction. Oklahoma rounded out his final five.
WHERE ANDREW BABALOLA RANKS AS A RECRUIT
Babalola is the No. 2 offensive tackle in the class and No. 11 overall prospect nationally per 247Sports. He is the No. 1 senior recruit in Kansas. He is only slightly lower on the 247Sports Composite (comprised of ratings from around the industry) which has him the No. 25 prospect overall and No. 4 offensive tackle.
HOW ANDREW BABALOLA FITS WITH MICHIGAN
Looking at Michigan’s offensive line class, it is possible will be the left tackle in the group. Avery Gach can do a little of everything where Kaden Strayhorn is an interior guy slated for center. With the Wolverines recently offering Nolan Davenport, it looks like they are targeting one more offensive lineman, a tackle body. Babalola fits well in that he’s a developmental prospect that Moore and Newsome, two former offensive linemen, will have a lot of clay to work with. With Andrew Sprague in the previous class, it is unlikely Babalola would be pressed into immediate service and that is best for his long-term development so it is a good fit from a football standpoint. He also was looking for a high-end academics, which Michigan can satisfy.
In terms of recruiting, this could jump start a close to Michigan’s 2025 class that could be very exciting for Wolverine fans. The Wolverines have targeted high-end flips and have key needs to fill yet in the secondary, defensive line and at receiver. Babalola helps fill the need at offensive line and allows them to potentially take a best available or a guy like Davenport who they evaluate and like.
WHAT WE THINK ABOUT ANDREW BABALOLA
Babalola has only been playing football for two seasons.
He is raw, but is very athletic. He came from basketball and looked like he might get recruited in hoops for a moment. He’s picked up football fairly quickly though. He’s taken to the physicality of it, which is key for someone who hasn’t played it. There is still polishing to do, but when 247Sports initially rated high nationally, it was known that it was a projection. At this stage, he is progressing at the expected pace.
247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks called Babalola “one of the highest-ceiling prospects in the entire country, regardless of class.”
Brooks added, “He possesses immense bulking capacity accompanied by his natural athleticism to make him one of the nation’s top offensive tackle prospects.”
