Michigan’s offensive line picture is already unsettled less than a week into fall camp, and one newcomer is forcing coaches to pay attention. Redshirt freshman Andrew Babalola, a former five-star left tackle, has been a full participant during recent sessions and is now squarely "in the mix" to earn one of the Wolverines’ top five offensive line spots, according to offensive line coach Jim Harding.
Coaches see high ceiling despite missed time
Harding, who has rotated two different starting lineups through practice across the first two days, said Michigan will continue to shuffle personnel until the starters separate themselves. That fluidity created an opening for Babalola, whose talent prompted praise from coaches even before the pads came on.
"I do. He was a full participant these last two days," Harding told reporters when asked about Babalola’s status. He added that his evaluation of the freshman was limited until camp because the player had missed parts of spring preparation and much of the prior season.
"I didn't really have much to go off of... he hasn't played football in darn near 12 months. Tomorrow will be the first time he puts shoulder pads on in 12 months."
Harding also noted that Michigan had recruited Babalola when he was at Utah and had a prior appreciation for the recruit’s physical tools and upside.
Where Babalola stands in the timeline
Coaches cautioned that Babalola is returning from a long layoff — he has not played competitively for roughly a year after suffering a season-ending injury last fall. Still, his quick progress in camp has prompted consideration for an early role.
| Milestone | Timing (as reported) |
|---|---|
| Last competitive football appearance | Roughly 12 months ago |
| First time in a helmet since injury | Two days before Harding's comments |
| First time in shoulder pads since injury | Scheduled to be tomorrow (relative to comments) |
| Full practice participation | Last two days |
That sequence — helmet work followed by full-pad practice — is a common step in the return-to-play process for linemen, who face heavy physical contact and require a measured ramp-up to avoid setbacks. Michigan’s staff appears to be balancing optimism about Babalola’s raw ability with the caution required by his recent recovery.
What this means for Michigan’s offensive line
Offensive line depth and continuity have been a priority for Michigan as the staff evaluates options ahead of the season. Harding has already experimented with multiple groupings, and Babalola’s entrance into the rotation is one more variable as coaches search for a dependable starting five.
- Harding has used two different starting lineups in the first two days of fall camp and plans to continue rotating players.
- Babalola’s previous pedigree as a five-star recruit and the coaching staff’s prior recruitment of him at Utah contribute to high expectations.
- Coaches emphasize his missed time — about a year — and the need to manage his return carefully.
For fans and roster watchers, Babalola’s presence complicates the projection of the opening-day line. If he sustains his pace and transitions smoothly into pad work, he could challenge veterans for a starting berth. Conversely, any setback in his ramp-up would likely push him back toward developmental repetitions.
Context and next steps
Coaches will continue to evaluate Babalola as camp progresses, using live practices, positional drills and scrimmages to determine who will man the tackle spots. Harding’s direct observation of the freshman for the first time in live work is meaningful, but the staff’s decision-making will hinge on sustained performance and health over the coming days.
Michigan’s openness to mixing lineups underscores a broader theme in fall camp: the staff wants to see competition create clarity. Babalola’s early involvement represents both a reward for his talent and a test of whether a player coming off a lengthy absence can translate high school pedigree into immediate collegiate reliability.
As the Wolverines move through the rest of camp, the coaching staff’s tolerance for risk with returning players like Babalola will be a storyline worth watching for anyone tracking Michigan’s offensive outlook this season.
