"Big Tree" back in the fold for Gamecock football

The Gamecock football program has picked up a significant recommitment from one of the top prospects in the 2023 class.

Hyattsville (Maryland) Dematha Catholic offensive lineman Oluwatosin “Tree” Babalade is now back on South Carolina’s verbal commitment list, rejoining a week after backing away from his original verbal commitment.

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Shane Beamer and his staff once again held off in-state suitor Maryland for Babalade’s services.

On December 13, Babalade announced via Twitter that he was decommitting from the Gamecocks in order to take more time to think about his decision. He made his initial commitment to South Carolina before the 2022 season.

“It was a tough decision,” Babalade told On3’s Chad Simmons back in August. “I wanted to make sure, so I just wanted to take more time. Maryland is a great school and it is close to home, but I want to get away, play in the SEC, and play at South Carolina.

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The On3 Consensus – a complete and equally weighted industry standard that factors in rankings from all four major recruiting services – tabs Babalade as a four-star prospect.

He’s additionally ranked as the number 215 prospect nationally regardless of position, the 16th-best offensive tackle in the country, and the fourth-best prospect in the state of Maryland.

“It was like me staying at home vs. me leaving and getting away. I want to get away, see something new, and I also love the coaching staff. My feeling at South Carolina was different and I just enjoy being around the people there,” he said in the August post-commitment interview with Simmons.

Beamer, along with multiple other staffers from Gamecock football, traveled to the DMV region on December 11 to conduct an in-home visit with Babalade.

“It is just a different feeling for me down at South Carolina,” the talented lineman said in August. “Columbia is calm, chill, and relaxing to me. It is different than the DMV where I live. I love the people up here and Maryland is a great school with great coaches, but I am excited about being somewhere different. I want to try a new path, be in that great environment at South Carolina, and compete in the SEC, the best league in college football.”

Here is more on the Gamecock football commitment’s game and potential from On3’s Charles Power:

“Big-framed offensive lineman with the brute strength to overpower defensive linemen. Has college-ready size, measuring at 6-foot-5, 308 pounds with a 6-foot-10 wing-span prior to his senior season. Moves well at his size, both on Friday nights and in the camp setting. Turned in a solid 4.85 second short shuttle. Works at left tackle for a top high school program in DeMatha. Has significant upper body strength and pop in his hands. Stones opposing pass rusher at the point of attack. Can sling defensive linemen to the ground with relative ease. Faces top competition, including many future Power Five pass rushers on a weekly basis. Had a dominant showing at Under Armour’s Baltimore camp. Could play multiple spots on the offensive line at the next level. Still developing from a technique perspective. Has room to improve as a run blocker and in sustaining blocks. Also has a tendency to play high at times.”

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