ANN ARBOR, Mich. — With freshman Andrew Babalola sidelined for the foreseeable future, Michigan’s left tackle battle is now a one-man show.
For now, at least.
Redshirt sophomore Evan Link is now the frontrunner to start up front in Saturday’s season opener vs. New Mexico (7:30 p.m., NBC) after Babalola, a five-star recruit pushing for the job in practice, reportedly suffered a serious knee injury in practice.
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore is set to address the media on Monday, when he’s expected to name freshman Bryce Underwood the Wolverines’ starting quarterback at Link the team’s starting left tackle.
Link is getting a second chance of sorts after a disappointing 2024 at right tackle, where he started 11 games and was routinely graded the lowest among Michigan’s offensive linemen.
The Burke, Va., native blamed his poor performance last fall on a lack of experience and waining confidence. Link made the move from right tackle to left tackle in the spring, giving him a shot of confidence.
“Evan has played tremendously better, and his confidence is where it needs to be,” Moore recently told reporters.
Helping matters, the 6-foot-6, 324-pound Link will have a familiar face next to him. Fifth-year graduate student Giovanni El-Hadi also made the move from right guard to left guard, easing the transition from one side of the line to the other. Timing and footwork can be critical for o-linemen, making the Link-El-Hadi combination important if Michigan does start Underwood, who just turned 18 years old, at quarterback.
Michigan offensive lineman Evan Link (71) plays during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)AP
“We have that chemistry from last year, and he’s just been really great,” El-Hadi said, complimenting Link’s improved mental approach to the game.
“It’s not easy to play this game, and he’s doing a great job. If you make a mistake, just like when you make a good play, don’t let it get in your head. Just worry about the next play.”
That vote of confidence has become a key message from Link’s teammates this offseason, a resetting of sorts for a Michigan offense that struggled to throw the football last year.
Offensive line coach Grant Newsome praised Link during the first few weeks of camp for “elevating his play” during the spring and summer months, “to being the tackle you’re capable of being.”
Even Michigan defenders who go up against Link in practice are looking out for him. Senior end Derrick Moore, one of six players voted captain for the 2025 season, said Link continues to build his confidence.
“Going against him every day, we talk to him,” Derrick Moore said. “You’re going to get beat; it’s part of the game of football. The same way we study him, somebody in-season is also studying you. What can you do to out-beat that guy on the play? Just continuing to have confidence in yourself. If you get beat, don’t let it get to you.”
The Wolverines hope that 2024 was just a blip on the radar for Link, a former four-star high school recruit. They’re willing to get him another chance.
And if things don’t work out, sophomore Blake Frazier is waiting in the wings. A 6-foot-6, 295-pound lineman, Frazier has routinely been taking second-team snaps at tackle and guard in camp.
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