Gamecocks offensive tackle target from Maryland previews upcoming commitment

This is announcement week for offensive tackle Oluwatosin Babalade of Hyattsville, Maryland. He plans to post his commitment decision to Twitter sometime between 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday.

His final group has been South Carolina, Maryland, North Carolina, Rutgers and Ohio State, but he said Sunday the Buckeyes are not as involved as they once were.

Babalade (6-5, 296) said he will not take any visits during the live recruiting period Monday through Sunday, and he said he’s getting pretty close on his decision.

“I kind of have in the back of my mind right now, but I’m not really sure yet because there are some schools that are sneaking up,” Babalade said. “Maryland is really trying to sneak in a lot.”

Babalade — whose nickname is Tree — said he is still talking all the time with South Carolina and that Shane Beamer, Greg Adkins and Sam Serbay reach out to him on a regular basis.

“He’s basically saying he just wants to coach me so bad,” Babalade said of his last message from Beamer.

As he thinks things through this week, Babalade said there are a couple of key factors that will sway him one way or another.

“NIL deal is highly important,” he said. “And me being able to play early, or at least see the field. I’m really worried about that part. South Carolina has a left tackle they said that might be going to the league soon, and that might be a good fit for me. I feel like I should be able to get some playing time.”

Babalade visited USC twice during their recruitment of him. The first visit was for the spring game in April, and then he returned for an official visit in June. He also made official visits to Ohio State, North Carolina Rutgers and Maryland.