Five-star OL Andrew Babalola commits to Michigan: "I believe in the vision"

Michigan has scored a massive win on the recruiting trail.

Five-star Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest offensive lineman Andrew Babalola gave Michigan a verbal pledge on Monday. He picked U-M over fellow finalists Auburn, Missouri, Oklahoma and Stanford.

Babalola’s decision comes after a series of delays and changes. However, Michigan remained a constant and finally won him over thanks to its elite blend of academics and athletics.

“It was about family atmosphere,” Babalola said. “It was about having the peace of mind that I was going to a program that’s going to take care of me on and off the field with development and academics. Also, playing on the biggest stage. The relationships I formed with the coaching staff, the fellow recruits and the players made it the right fit in my mind.”

Michigan has had some ups and downs in its first season under new head coach Sherrone Moore. However, Babalola said that didn’t factor into his decision.

In fact, he’s fired up about the future of the program.

“I believe in the vision,” Babalola said. “I have a belief in the program and a belief in Coach Moore’s vision for the program. There have been some setbacks and some things that have to get fixed. But overall, I believe in the program. I believe in Coach Moore. I believe in Coach Newsome. I believe in their plan for my development. I believe in them getting this ship turned around and getting Michigan back to what it stands for.”

Babalola is now the highest ranked commit in Michigan’s 2025 recruiting class and the highest ranked win for the Wolverines since Will Johnson in the 2022 recruiting class.

At 6-foot-5, 295 pounds, Babalola is ranked as the No. 4 offensive tackle and No. 19 overall prospect nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He is also ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit in the state of Kansas.

Michigan now has 17 commits in its 2025 recruiting class — Babalola, Top 100 Katy (Texas) Jordan wide receiver Andrew Marsh, Top 100 Center Valley (Pa.) Southern Lehigh tight end Andrew Olesh, Top 100 Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange safety Ivan Taylor, On300 Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga defensive back Kainoa Winston, On300 Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith, On300 Alpharetta (Ga.) High EDGE Julius Holly, On300 Kilgore (Texas) High cornerback Jayden Sanders, On300 New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw wide receiver Jacob Washington, On300 Palatine (Ill.) High EDGE Jaylen Williams, On300 New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw running back Jasper Parker, four-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy running back Donovan Johnson, four-star Birmingham (Mich.) Groves offensive lineman Avery Gach, three-star Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka, three-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn, three-star Stockbridge (Ga.) High linebacker Chase Taylor and three-star Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens.

The class entered the day ranked No. 14 nationally and No. 3 in the Big Ten, per the On3 Industry national team recruiting rankings. The Wolverines currently sit behind Ohio State and Oregon.