
Former five-star OT Andrew Babalola making big strides in spring ball
Former five-star OT Andrew Babalola making big strides in spring ball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Usually, when a college football team gets a five-star recruit, you can count on said prospect seeing the field early. However, that's not always true when it comes to one position group: the offensive line.
While some Michigan football fans hope to see five-star offensive tackle Andrew Babalola see the field early, the most optimum situation for the Wolverines would be the elder statesmen to earn the job while Babalola develops. At the moment, that appears to be the case, but that doesn't mean the Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest standout hasn't made strides since arriving in Ann Arbor in December.
According to expected left tackle starter Evan Link, Babalola has shown a lot of progress from where he was when he first got to take part in ReliaQuest Bowl practices for Alabama, noting that he's got some aspects to his game that other players just won't be able to replicate.
"Yeah, he's a great kid, he doesn't talk much, but he's a really good dude," Link said. "But no, he's gotten a lot better, just because he's got some pretty freaky traits that, you know -- he's going to be a really, really, really good player coming down the line. But no, he's definitely taken a step from where he was in bowl prep to where he is now."
Could Babalola end up finding a role at some point this season? Considering that Michigan likes to often run six offensive lineman sets, it wouldn't surprise.
Fans will get an opportunity to see him on April 19 when Michigan hosts the annual spring game at The Big House.

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