Fully healthy and ready for action, Andrew Babalola is gaining steam to be the week one starter at left tackle for Michigan football. He has been seen practicing with the ones at left tackle already and appears to be the frontrunner by many. The only thing that is holding him back is his inexperience.
2 reasons why Babalola should start
1. He's got the most upside of all the applicants
We've seen what Evan Link can do on the outside to protect Bryce Underwood and he wasn't up to the standard set by past Michigan football lineman.
Blake Frazier replaced him when he got lost for the season and was not lightning in a bottle either. That leaves the door open for Babalola to grab the bull by the horns and anchor the line of scrimmage.
Being a five-star product doesn't mean he'll immediately solve the revolving door on the left side because he's still raw without getting any reps because of the ACL tear, but if he can just grasp the role, then he should be better than both in the short-term process.
#Michigan HC Kyle Whittingham says the main three battling for the left tackle spot is Andrew Babalola, Blake Frazier and Evan Link
— Brice Marich (@BriceMarich) August 10, 2026
2. You can move Blake Frazier and Evan Link inside to guard
Sometimes it helps when tackles get moved inside to the guard position because there's not as much pressure on them to protect the blindside of the quarterback. That could prove to be the difference for Link and Frazier who have been rumored for the entire offseason to do so anyways. On Michigan's socials we've seen Link getting snaps at guard, while Babalola is flanking him on the left side of the line.
Luckily for Jim Harding's group, he has about six or seven guys who can start in a jiffy in case the starters struggle or get hurt. There plan is to have 10 lineman who can play by the beginning of the season anyway. Learning from Harding can get them all drafted and in the lineup if they follow his lead by trusting his proven teachings. His track record speaks for itself. He'll find the way to put the best five on the field come September and that starts with Babalola at the most important line responsibility.
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