Andrew Babalola is Michigan's first five-star since Will Johnson, highest-ranked offensive line commit of recruiting era

Michigan Wolverines football made waves Monday night by landing Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest five-star offensive tackle Andrew Babalola. The 2025 recruit is the No. 11 overall prospect and third-best offensive tackle in the nation, per On3.

Babalola isn’t just the crowned jewel for Michigan’s 2025 recruiting class — which is up to 17 commitments with December’s national signing day approaching — he’s the Wolverines’ first five-star pledge since cornerback Will Johnson back in 2022. Johnson, of course, is now a junior and one of the best overall players in America.

The 6-foot-5 and 1/2, 295-pounder is Michigan’s first five-star commitment under head coach Sherrone Moore, who took over the program in late January.

The Wolverines only had six five-star prospects enter the program in nine seasons under head coach Jim Harbaugh (2015-23).

While he ranks No. 11 overall in the 2025 class per On3, he’s 19th according to the On3 Industry Ranking. At No. 19, he’s Michigan’s highest-rated pledge since defensive back Daxton Hill in 2019 (No. 8).

Babalola is the Maize and Blue’s 14th five-star since 2004, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He’s also the Wolverines’ highest-ranked offensive lineman in the recruiting era. Of Michigan’s 14 five-stars since 2004, Babalola is the only one at his position.

Michigan didn’t land a single five-star in the 2024 or 2023 hauls. Prior to getting Johnson, an in-state prospect, it didn’t have a five-star since Hill flipped from Alabama to U-M on signing day and defensive tackle Christopher Hinton signed with the program in 2019.

Both Hill and Hinton left Michigan early after their junior seasons in 2021, helping lead the Wolverines to the national championship. Hill wound up becoming a first-round pick, while Hinton was an undrafted free agent.

Michigan reeled in two five-star recruits in 2017 — wideout Donovan Peoples-Jones and defensive tackle Aubrey Solomon. Neither lived up to the billing at Michigan, but Peoples-Jones was productive, with 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns receiving. Solomon, meanwhile, transferred to Tennessee after two seasons at U-M.

In 2016, Michigan saw five-star defensive lineman Rashan Gary — the No. 1 overall recruit in the nation per the On3 Industry Ranking — make his pledge on national signing day, an early recruiting win for then-head coach Jim Harbaugh in his first full recruiting class.

Former Michigan head coach Brady Hoke (2011-14) did bring in one five-star during his tenure, defensive back Jabrill Peppers, the No. 1 overall prospect in 2014.

Here’s a look at all of Michigan’s five-stars since 2004, when the On3 Industry Ranking data goes back to.

Recruit	Class	Overall Rank (On3 Industry)
OT Andrew Babalola	2025	19th
CB Will Johnson	2022	16th
DB Daxton Hill	2019	8th
DT Christopher Hinton	2019	31st
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones	2019	16th
DL Aubrey Solomon	2017	30th
DL Rashan Gary	2016	1st
DB Jabrill Peppers	2014	1st
CB Donovan Warren	2007	32nd
DE Brandon Graham	2006	24th
RB Kevin Grady	2005	17th
DL Marques Slocum	2005	29th
QB Chad Henne	2004	15th
DE Tim Jamison	2004	32nd