The Michigan Wolverines had a decent offensive line last season, but the unit has to be among the best of the best if they are to make a return to the College Football Playoff.
Going into the 2025 season, there was a talented true freshman who was expected to make a big impact during his first year with the program — five-star Andrew Babalola. But a heartbreaking ACL tear during the offseason kept him on the sidelines. Now, he is working his way back and fighting for a role.
Despite a couple of a disappointing seasons following Jim Harbaugh’s departure to the NFL, Michigan has still recruited at an elite level. One of the best prospects signed since the national championship run in 2023 is Babalola. He was a five-star in the 2025 class, coming to Michigan as one of the most highly-touted freshman in the country.
It’s very difficult to find the field as a true freshman offensive lineman, let alone earn a starting spot. Babalola was no ordinary freshman, however. He was one of the top players in his class for a reason, and he seemed to be in line for a very meaningful role along Michigan’s offensive line heading into the 2025 season.
And then the injury happened. Disappointing injury news is impossible to avoid in football, and unfortunately, it hit before the 2025 season even started. Babalola tore his ACL during fall camp and missed the entire year. It was incredibly deflating, as Michigan fans we’re eager to see him play. Hopefully, that time is finally near.
Babalola had a solid chance at earning a starting job last year, but you never know what to expect from a player coming off of an injury like an ACL tear.
Obviously, the physical recovery of this injury is a long one, but it looks like Babalola has made it through the toughest days of his journey. However, the mental recovery is just as difficult. That seems to have been a challenge for Rod Moore, who tore his ACL in 2024 and still struggled physically once he returned in 2025.
If Babalola is at 100 percent, he could very well be a starter this season. Evan Link, Jake Guarnera and Andrew Sprague all had major roles last season, so they should have starting jobs lined up to begin the season. That leaves two spots up for grabs, and Babalola, Blake Frazier, Brady Norton and Nathan Efobi seem like the most likely options. Personally, I’m putting my money on Babalola to be one of those five starters, but we probably won’t know for sure until the Wolverines take the field under the lights on Sept. 5 vs Western Michigan.