Michigan signs OL for 2025, son of former Michigan State player

Michigan scored a major recruiting victory, signing a hard-hitting offensive lineman from IMG Academy on Sunday night. What makes this victory even sweeter for some is that the prospect is the son of a former Michigan State player.

The recruit is Kaden Strayhorn, a 3-star offensive lineman from IMG Academy in Florida. Originally from Detroit, Strayhorn began his career at Novi Central Catholic before transferring to IMG. Kaden is the son of Jason Strayhorn, a former Spartans defensive lineman.

Writing my own legacy… #committed 〽️ @Coach_SMoore @grant_newsome pic.twitter.com/dOCUlfNDqJ

— Kaden Strayhorn (@kaden_strayhorn) 23 June 2024

Strayhorn is listed as an interior offensive lineman at 6’3″ and 295 pounds. The 247 Sports Composite rates Strayhorn as a 3-star talent and the 28th IOL in the 2025 recruiting class. Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Texas and Miami were some of the other major offers he received.

Kaden’s parents are both MSU graduates, but he says they supported him in following his own path. In fact, Strayhorn says MSU had been out of the picture for a while before he made his decision.

“Honestly, it’s just a gut feeling,” Strayhorn said, according to Allen Trieu of 247 Sports. “It’s my home. Michigan has been recruiting me since 8th grade. Coach Moore and Coach Newsome have been consistent the whole time. For them, it was always about me and my family, never about them. They made me a priority there. In all of our conversations, we always spoke well of Ball and I like the history of Michigan’s offensive line.”

BREAKING NEWS: IMG Academy OL Kaden Strayhorn commits to Michigan. He will play center.

The Michigan native is returning to his home state. He talks about the reasons and support of his parents for this decision, even though both are MSU graduates: https://t.co/livG0SEmwI pic.twitter.com/x2k6aMHlEz

— Allen Trieu (@AllenTrieu) 23 June 2024

Impact on Michigan

With Strayhorn, Michigan has a 10th firm commitment for the Class of 2025, adding to a productive June and a productive push on Sunday. Donovan Johnson, a 4-star RB and a teammate of Strayhorn’s at IMG Academy, joined the Wolverines earlier Sunday.

So far, Michigan’s recruiting class is ranked 33rd nationally, according to the 247 Sports Team Composite. However, the average score for recruits in Michigan’s class is 91.95, a rating that ranks 7th nationally.