Michigan football has the top-ranked freshman in college football in Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings.
There has been a ton of hype, rightfully so, surrounding the 6-foot-4, 228-pound quarterback. However, there is another five-star freshman who has been generating a ton of positive buzz, and that's 6-foot-6, 315-pound offensive tackle Andrew Babalola.
Babalola, who is the highest-ranked offensive line recruit in Michigan football history, put together a strong spring. He was the first player taken in the spring game draft, even ahead of Underwood.
Underwood's gains have been impressive. He's added 20 pounds since joining the program. Babalola is also making gains, though, putting on 15 pounds since becoming a Michigan football player.
Babalola is battling Evan Link, the starter at right tackle last season, for the job at left tackle. The more coaches and players talk about him, the more you believe he could be the day-one starter.
Michigan football OC raves about five-star freshman
Add Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, who also raved about the freshman offensive tackle recently, to the list.
"Babs is really intelligent. Sometimes what keeps guys from reaching their early potential is figuring out the calls or the fronts. "I like the progress he’s making, but we’ll see. In this day and age, though, if they’re ready, you play them, " The Michigan OC said.
Underwood is in a battle for the starting quarterback job with Mikey Keene and Jake Garcia. He feels like the favorite to win that job. Left tackle still feels up in the air, but there's a chance both Michigan's five-star freshmen are in the starting lineup on August 30th against New Mexico.