The in-state rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State runs hot year around, and when the son of a prominent figure for one school chooses to attend the opposite school, it raises eyebrows.
Such is the case with three-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy interior offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn , the son of MSU football radio broadcaster and former Spartan defensive tackle Jason Strayhorn. In late June, the younger Strayhorn committed to head coach Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines among offers from Ohio State, Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami and over 20 others.
Another one.#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/IFB9gX8zlP
— The Winged Helmet (@TWH_Chris) June 23, 2024
At 6-foot-3 and 285 pounds, Strayhorn is considered the No. 448 overall prospect, No. 27 interior offensive lineman and No. 59 player from the state of Florida in the 2025 recruiting cycle. Despite his obvious connections to Michigan State, there have been reports that new Spartans head coach Jonathan Smith and offensive line coach Jim Michalczik did not recruit Strayhorn strongly in the weeks leading up to his commitment to U-M.
With that understood, Moore and U-M offensive line coach Grant Newsome were more than happy to add an offensive lineman from a football powerhouse high school like IMG Academy to their class. Strayhorn joins IMG Academy teammate Donovan Johnson, a four-star running back, in the Wolverines' class. He's also the second offensive line commit, joining four-star Franklin (Mich.) Wylie E. Groves tackle Avery Gach.
At 15 verbal commitments, Michigan's 2025 class currently ranked No. 12 in the country and No. 4 in the Big Ten. The Wolverines' average player rating of 91.85 is the eight-best mark nationally and the third-best in the conference.
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