Michigan football has gone a few years without landing a truly elite recruit straight out of high school.
The 2022 class had five-star Will Johnson while four-stars Colston Loveland, Mason Graham, Derrick Moore, and three-star Kenneth Grant have all outperformed their rankings. But with Sherrone Moore at the helm, he’s made some headway on some elite prospects, but has yet to close on any of them.
Yet being the keyword.
Because Moore has been working overtime trying to land Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest five-star offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, who was long thought to be a Stanford lean. Auburn and Oklahoma have also had their say, but on Sunday, On3 recruiting guru Steve Wiltfong put in a prediction that the Wolverines will ultimately land Babalola — albeit with confidence level of 50.
FONG BOMB: On3's @SWiltfong_ has logged an expert prediction for Michigan to land 5-star OT Andrew Babalola〽️
Intel: https://t.co/qUTPQmgCRN pic.twitter.com/q1YnAFKGfw
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) October 13, 2024
“For a long time I felt like Michigan was trending for Babalola and have now logged an RPM to reflect that,” Wiltfong said in making his pick. “With what Michigan stands for on the field and in the classroom, the track record of success with offensive linemen and his comfort level around the school, I like the Wolverines’ chances. I’ve felt like Stanford has faded this fall and put my pick on a the program I think has the best chance to land Babalola, who wants to commit soon.”
Babalola is rated highest on On3, as the No. 11 player in the country, regardless of position.