The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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54 THE WOLVERINE ❱ OCTOBER 2023 ❱ PREP PROFILES Kaden Strayhorn is the son of former Michigan State captain and current an- alyst Jason Strayhorn. But that doesn't mean he's a lock to end up in East Lansing. The four-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy offensive lineman has ex- pressed high interest in Michigan and visited twice this offseason. With U-M winning back-to-back Joe Moore Awards for the best offensive line in the country, Strayhorn is taking a serious look at the Wolverines. "I haven't dropped a top schools list, but Michigan is going to be right there as long as Coach [Sherrone] Moore is there," Strayhorn said. "I got to work out with him privately. He answered all my ques- tions. He walked through things with me. He's a big reason I like Michigan a lot." Moore, Michigan's offensive line coach and offensive coordinator, is making Strayhorn an early priority for the 2025 cycle. "I talk to him weekly," Strayhorn said. "I talk to him after every game, so on Mon- day, we'll talk about what I did well and what I didn't. He asks me what the biggest challenge is for this week, and we'll talk about it again the next Monday. It's super cool. He's just a really good guy." Strayhorn added that he will be keeping a close eye on Moore's offensive line group throughout the season. "I'm really excited to see what the of- fensive line does this year," Strayhorn said. "I'm going to be watching Zak Zinter. When I went on the visit, they showed me his film, and he's a first-round guy easy. "I watched Olu [Oluwatimi] last year all the time, so I want to see how they do at center. I'll also be watching Trevor Keegan, too." Strayhorn, the No. 19 interior offen- sive lineman and No. 322 overall pros- pect nationally, played guard early in his high school career but earned the start- ing right tackle job at IMG Academy this offseason. While Strayhorn is excited about the opportunity to play tackle, Michigan still envisions him as more of a guard or cen- ter in college. "I'm playing right tackle right now, and Coach Moore has been giving me some advice on that," Strayhorn said. "But at the next level, I would say I'm going to be an interior offensive lineman. Coach Moore said he likes me there." Strayhorn, who is a cousin of Michigan junior running back Donovan Edwards and is originally from the Detroit metro area, plans to return to his home state this fall for a game day visit at Michigan. Along with U-M, Strayhorn boasts offers from Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee and Texas A&M, among others. — EJ Holland On300 2025 Buford (Ga.) High run- ning back Justin Baker recently released a top-six list of Georgia, Michigan, NC State, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Tennessee. Michigan is the leader on the On3 Re- cruiting Prediction Machine with a 93.4 percent chance of landing the talented Peach State product. The Wolverines have made Baker a top priority for next cycle and remain a major factor in his recruitment. "Michigan is great," Baker said. "They have a really good coaching staff. Coach [Mike] Hart and I have a really good re- lationship. I also have a really good re- lationship with Coach [Jim] Harbaugh. We talk pretty often. They are definitely a top contender." At 5-foot-9, 200 pounds, Baker has the build and skill set that Hart often desires at the position. The two talk on a regular basis and have formed a strong bond. "Coach Hart is a great guy," Baker said. "I can tell that he knows what he's talking about. You want a running backs coach that has played the position and can make you better. If you go to Michi- gan, you know the pedigree of running backs they are producing with the guys they have now and in the past. I could definitely see myself under him." Baker, the No. 25 running back and No. 298 overall prospect nationally, per On3, had a chance to spend extended time with Hart and got a true in-depth look at the program during his unofficial visit this summer. "It was a great visit," Baker said. "The weather was beautiful. The area was beautiful. It really checks a lot of boxes. "Michigan is a place with great aca- demics where you can get a great edu- cation. It's also a place where you can play early. They'll develop you, and you'll have the opportunity to get to the league. They showed me a lot on that visit." Baker is a high school teammate and classmate of Mantrez Walker, a three- star linebacker who decommitted from Michigan in September after an early commitment in February. Baker is looking to get back to Michi- gan again this fall — potentially for the rivalry game against Ohio State Nov. 25. — EJ Holland Michigan Seeks Spartan Legacy Offensive Lineman Stout Georgia Running Back Is A U-M Priority ❱ Baker on Coach Hart "I can tell that he knows what he's talking about. You want a running backs coach that has played the position and can make you better. … I could definitely see myself under him." IMG Academy Bradenton, Fla. Class: 2025 Position: Offensive line Ht.: 6-3 • Wt.: 290 On3 Rankings: No. 47 player in Florida and No. 19 interior offensive lineman nationally. ❱ Kaden Strayhorn Buford High School Buford, Ga. Class: 2025 Position: Running back Ht.: 5-9 • Wt.: 200 On3 Rankings: No. 32 player in Georgia, and No. 25 running back and No. 298 overall prospect nationally. ❱ Justin Baker