5-star OT Andrew Babalola commits to Michigan

Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest five-star offensive tackle Andrew Babalola has committed to Michigan.

The prized blue-chipper chose to play for head coach Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines over his other finalists in Auburn, Missouri, Oklahoma and Stanford.

“What made Michigan right for me was the overall family atmosphere,” Babalola told On3. “Knowing I’m going to be taken care of by a collective group of guys. Really just my future teammates. They have everything I need off the field, the academics, just knowing I’m going to be taken care of”

Babalola becomes commit No. 17 for Michigan in the class of 2025.

“That family feel,” Babalola reiterated. “Playing on the big stage of Michigan, one of the more tradition-rich schools in the country. I can’t wait to get in with the guys and turn this thing around.”

The 6-foot-5 1/2, 295-pound Babalola ranks as On3’s No. 3 offensive tackle and No. 11 prospect overall. The On3 Industry tabs him No. 4 and No. 17 respectively. Next-level sources say Babalola has as much upside as any prospect in the class regardless of position.

A major coup for Moore and company in Ann Arbor.

Babalola has always raved about Michigan

While schools maybe had momentum at various points in the process, Michigan was always a front-runner for what they bring to the table on and off the field. 

“What excites me about the program is the sustained success of the place, and the vision for the future,” Babalola has said. “They have great development all around.”

Offensive line coach Grant Newsome was integral in recruiting him as well and both him and Moore attended Babalola’s game last week.

“What stands out is just how I fit into the scheme, and the development of offensive linemen that enter the program,” Babalola has said.

“Coach Moore and I had a good relationship before he became the head coach, and it’s stayed that way. I’ve been talking with Coach Newsome pretty much since he got hired as the new O-Line coach and I like him a lot. It’s a great football tradition with great academics too.”

Babalola’s decision took longer than expected to decide

Babalola took official visits to all five of his finalists. He originally planned to decide before his senior year but each opportunity gave him and his family a lot to think about. The Wolverines checked all the boxes.

“Just overall fit,” Babalola has said of what he’s looking for. “From a relationship standpoint with coaches and players, development, academics, and the overall feel.

“Most of the stuff above is really all that’s important to me, but I’d just say finding the place that can really develop me so I can get to the next level and get the most out of my abilities.”

Scouting what the Wolverines program is adding

Babalola joins Avery Gach and Kaden Strayhorn as the offensive linemen in the class. This haul was ranked by the On3 Industry as the nation’s No. 14 class prior to Babalola joining the fold.

On3 Director of Scouting Charles Powers breaks down what the Wolverines are getting.

“Andrew Babalola has one of the highest upsides in what is a loaded group of offensive tackles in the 2025 cycle,” Power said. “At over 6-foot-5 and around 300 pounds with plus length, Babalola is a very good athlete for the position. He is an easy mover when working to the second level. We’ve also seen him add play strength, as he’s proving to be a nasty block finisher on senior film. 

“Babalola only played varsity football for two years, but has made considerable strides in a short period of time. He may need some time to continue developing the technical side of his game, but the ceiling is very high. Babalola earned a fifth star from On3 back in September due to the strong start to his senior season and should project as the Wolverine’s left tackle of the future.”