Tree Babalade shows talent, upside in first-career start
If there was any worry about Tree Babalade making his first career start for South Carolina on the road at Georgia, those were assuaged on a play along the Gamecocks’ sideline.
Trey Knox caught a pass and, while fighting for extra yards, in sprinted No. 51 to try and move the pile and give the Gamecocks a few extra bully yards.
That play was indicative of what South Carolina saw of Babalade in the recruitment process and what he can bring as a true freshman starting at left tackle.
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“Tree at left tackle we felt like played really well. There was a lot to improve and correct, don’t get me wrong,” Shane Beamer said. “But for a true freshman to go into that game and be isolated by himself–we weren’t double teaming with him, he was on his own most of the night–did a good job. I’m proud of Tree coming in there as a true freshman. That’s not easy to do.”
Going up against one of the more talented defenses in the country and against four and five-star edge rushers, Babalade more than held his own.
He finished with a 51.4 overall grade but a 90 grade in pass blocking. Babalade allowed just one pressure in 53 pass block snaps, the fewest among starters on the South Carolina offensive line.
And he did it in a hostile environment.
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“Any time you play a true freshman and start them there are concerns, especially on the road in an environment like that on a national television with 92,000 fans. That’s tough, but Tree’s a really good player. He’s shown it in practice,” Beamer said.
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“For us, it was trying to get more girth out there on the edge to firm up the pocket a little bit. Our tackles, we were getting too much push into the pocket. Tree’s a big man that did a nice job. You watch some of those pass pro reps early in the game and he’s widening the pocket.”
Babalade was a priority four-star recruit in the 2023 class, so much so that Beamer climbed into a Tree twice, and showing why he was highly sought after.
And he more than held his own for South Carolina against an elite defensive front.
“He’s athletic and just has a great demeanor…He’s a guy that always has a smile on his face and was out there having fun yesterday. You watch some of his effort downfield,” Beamer said. “You see Tree running over there trying to get a block and finish the play. I think the effort he plays with and the talent he has and the pure joy he has out there on the field.”
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He’s part of a freshman offensive line class that is going to see a lot of playing time over their careers. Babalade is a surefire starter now it seems and Trovon Baugh is a rotational player at worst.
Once Markee Anderson gets healthy for next season, all three could certainly be starters.
“There’s technique things certainly to clean up,” Beamer said. “But we keep talking about getting these young guys better. The only way to do that is to get them in there and let them play.”
