‘Blessed to have the opportunity’: Enochs’ Babalola twins sign to play Division I football
Enochs High’s Kola and Yomi Babalola have been together since birth. That’s about to change.
The senior twins moved to Modesto from Houston, Texas, and made an immediate impact on the football field. They took their raw talent as freshmen and worked hard throughout their high school careers with off-season weightlifting sessions and 7-on-7 camps.
Now, their hard work is being rewarded, as on Thursday, March 31, they both signed letters of intent to play football at Division I schools.
Yomi, the older of the fraternal twins, signed with Dartmouth, a private Ivy League school in Hanover, New Hampshire, while Kola will attend the University of Nevada.
“It felt great,” Kola Babalola said on signing his letter of intent. “These past couple of years have been tough, especially coming into senior year without any offers, just wondering what’s gonna happen next. I’m really blessed to have the opportunity to sign.”
Yomi Babalola echoed his brother. “It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It was kind of stressful not knowing where I’d end up, but knowing I have the decision made and finalized feels really good.”
Both players rarely left the field for the Eagles, playing on both offense and defense and leading them to the playoffs for the first time since 2012-13.
Kola will play wide receiver at the next level, while Yomi chose linebacker.
Both were members of The Bee’s All District Offensive and Defensive teams.
They will be separated for the first time in their lives. They are not only going to different schools, but they nearly will be on opposite coasts, separated by over 2,800 miles and a three-hour time difference.
“It’ll be tough; we’ve always been together our whole lives,” said Kola Babalola. “It will most definitely be different, but we’ll get used to it. We’ll make new friends and get comfortable at the places we’re going to.”
Both fielded offers from a number of programs. Yomi received additional offers from Wagner and NAIA schools, but Dartmouth is where he says he felt the most comfortable.
“I felt like it would be a great fit for me academically and athletically,” he said. “It felt like a good place and felt like home to me.”
Kola fielded offers from Dartmouth, Princeton, Morehead State and NCAA Division II, III and NAIA schools before choosing to make Reno his next home.
“I chose Nevada over the other offers I had because it was closer to home, it’s good competition and I felt it would just be the better opportunity for me going forward.” Kola Babalola said.
Their work in the classroom is just as important as on the field. Yomi plans to major in biomedical engineering and Kola is looking into physical therapy.
The brothers are excited about what they can bring to their respective teams next fall.
“Nevada is going to get a hard worker,” said Kola Babalola. “Someone who comes in day in and day out and leaves everything out on the field. They’re going to get a good student … who gives 100% in the classroom as well.”
Added Yomi: “ When I go to Dartmouth, they’re going to see someone who pushes himself and other players. They’re going to get someone who plays with passion and a hard worker who always wants to get better.”
