Big South Carolina lineman planting roots with Gamecocks, signs NIL deal with Garnet Trust
South Carolina offensive lineman Tree Babalade has made things official. Following Babalade signing a new NIL contract with Garnet Trust on Thursday, the rising redshirt sophomore will be back in garnet and black in 2025.
Formerly a 4-star prospect from the Washington DC area in the class of 2023, Tree is planting his roots. Next fall will mark his third season with the Gamecocks. After spending much of his true freshman campaign as a starter, he redshirted in 2024 (he played in just four regular season games) despite earning a start at left tackle in relief of an injured Josiah Thompson.
Moving forward, Babalade will factor into the position battles at several spots on the South Carolina offensive line. He has been a tackle his entire college career, but his skillset could translate inside to guard, as well. Despite being 6’6″ and 338 pounds, Big Tree is a fluid athlete with strong hands who moves well.
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In the age of NIL and the transfer portal, player retention efforts are critical as teams fight to remain competitive. This is especially true for a South Carolina squad hoping to build off a strong 9-3 showing in 2024.
“Kudos to our fanbase, kudos to our administration, kudos to the Garnet Trust for all they’ve done to be able to help us and our guys out in so many ways,” Beamer said of South Carolina’s efforts in player retention last year. “This program is about relationships, honesty, and trust, and having conversations with guys, and building relationships throughout the season. Guys have expressed to us that they want to be (here).”
“I think retaining our current roster is the most important thing,” added Darren Uscher, South Carolina football’s Director of Player Personnel and Recruiting, during a recent appearance on GC Live.
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Because of Babalade’s unique blend of experience and still untapped potential, Gamecock fans should be excited about the big fella sticking around Columbia.
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Tree Babalade Bio
Second-year offensive lineman… gained significant experience in his first season with the Garnet & Black… incumbent starter at left tackle but has some position flexibility… given name is Oluwatosin but prefers to go by Tree.
2023 (Freshman)
True freshman who played in 11 contests, starting nine… moved into the starting lineup at the left tackle position in Week 3 and held that role for the remainder of the season… named the 247Sports’ True Freshman of the Week after posting a 90 PFF pass-blocking grade, the fourth-best among all offensive tackles in his starting debut at Georgia.
HIGH SCHOOL
Graduated from DeMatha Catholic High School in Maryland in 2023 where he played left tackle… helped the Stags to a 10-2 record and a spot in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Capital Division championship game as a senior… coached by Bill McGregor… rated as the fourth-best player in Maryland, the 19th-best offensive tackle in the country and No. 227 overall by 247Sports Composite… considered the fourth-best player in Maryland, the No. 16 offensive tackle in the nation and No. 217 overall in the On3 Consensus… ranked as the seventh-best player in the state, the 11th-best offensive tackle in the nation and No. 264 on the ESPN300.
PERSONAL
Oluwatosin N. Babalade was born Sept. 13, 2004… major is undeclared.
