Michigan lands commitment from 2025 OL, son of former Michigan State player

Michigan has struck a key recruiting win, landing an impact offensive lineman from IMG Academy on Sunday evening. Making this win even sweeter for some, the prospect is the son of a former Michigan State player.

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

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

— Kaden Strayhorn (@kaden_strayhorn) June 23, 2024

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

Both of Kaden’s parents are MSU alums, but he says they have been supportive of carving out his own path. In fact, Strayhorn says MSU has been out of the mix for a while before reaching his decision.

“Honestly, it’s just a gut feeling,” Strayhorn said per Allen Trieu with 247 Sports. “It’s home for me. Michigan has recruited me since 8th grade. Coach Moore and Coach Newsome have stayed consistent this entire time. They always made it about me and my family, never about them. They made me a priority there. In all of our conversations, we always had good talks about ball and I like Michigan’s offensive line history.”

BREAKING: IMG Academy OL Kaden Strayhorn commits to Michigan. The plan is for him to be a center.

A Michigan native, he returns back to his home state. He talks about why and his parents’ support of this decision despite both being MSU alums:https://t.co/livG0SEmwI pic.twitter.com/x2k6aMHlEz

— Allen Trieu (@AllenTrieu) June 23, 2024

Impact for Michigan

The addition of Strayhorn gives Michigan a 10th hard 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, committed to the Wolverines earlier Sunday.

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

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.