The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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52 THE WOLVERINE ❱ DECEMBER 2025 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY EJ HOLLAND K aden Catchings had a whirlwind of a recruiting process. The three-star linebacker out of Jack- son (Miss.) Hartfield Academy gave Liberty an early verbal commitment before flipping to South Florida and ul- timately flipping once more to Michigan with just a few weeks to go before the early signing period. "I left Liberty for South Florida, and once they saw I flipped, it made Michi- gan push even harder," Catchings said. "When I went out there, I had a great time. I came home and sat down with my parents. We finalized things and felt Michigan was the right place. I know Michigan is going to be a challenge, es- pecially coming from Mississippi. It's going to be really cold [laughs]. But I love the way they develop their players. I also like that the freshmen have really stepped up." As Catchings mentioned, his official visit on Nov. 1 for the game against Pur- due played a big role in his decision. Catchings was impressed with the atmosphere in The Big House, the cul- ture around the program and everything U-M offers away from the field. "The stadium is huge," Catchings said. "There were a lot of people there. I've never been to a stadium like that. But what really stood out to me were the meetings with the coaches and how much they care about their guys. They are in tune with their lives. They had a couple of freshmen play at linebacker, and it shows me anybody can get on the field and have an opportunity to play. I also got to see the campus and do the photoshoot. It was the weekend of Hal- loween, and it was cool seeing the frats do stuff around campus. I also love how strong the academics are." Both Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore and linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary played big roles in landing Catchings. "They are cool people," Catchings said. "They are pretty young. They are family guys. I could tell that from being around them and their families. It was a cool experience to get around them during the visit. Coach BJ said he wants me to come in and play linebacker for him because I fit with what they do. He thinks Michigan is a great place for me to develop. Coach Moore is doing something great at Michigan. Not a lot of second-year head coaches keep a program up like he has. He has a special thing going on." At 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, Catchings is an intriguing, athletic linebacker who also doubles as a running back at the high school level. His versatility and upside should make him a quality fit in Michi- gan's defensive scheme. In fact, the U-M staff likened Catch- ings to current star linebacker/edge Jaishawn Barham. "They see me like him since he's so versatile," Catchings said. "Really, all their linebackers are versatile. They can blitz and cover. They see me as a guy that can do it all at linebacker. I think I would fit right in. They kind of run a scheme like we run in high school. I could be used the same way I am now. I think it really fits me." Catchings is set to graduate this winter and plans to enroll early at Michigan. "It's going to help me a lot," he said. "It's going to give me time to figure ev- erything out. I also get a chance to meet the guys and be around everybody." Catchings is ranked as the No. 35 ath- lete and No. 1,321 overall prospect na- tionally, per the Rivals Industry Ranking. The Mississippi native knows he's coming in as one of the lower-rated prospects in U-M's class, but he's ready to prove any doubters wrong. "Don't let the stars fool you," Catch- ings said. "I'm coming to work." ❑ Versatile Mississippi LB Kaden Catchings Flips To U-M PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: Catchings is an impressive athlete who also doubles as a running back at the high school level. He's clearly one of the best athletes on the field at all times and is a playmaker on the of- fensive side of the ball. It's no surprise he's listed as an athlete by Rivals. Defen- sively, Catchings uses his athleticism to his advantage and runs well sideline to sideline. He also appears comfortable in pass coverage. AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: Catchings is ranked in the 1,000s because he's still very raw as an actual linebacker. Right now, he is more of an athlete playing the position. He needs to learn the intricacies of the position at the next level. Catch- ings can take poor angles and get lost in the shuffle as opposed to filling gaps in a hurry. A lot will depend on Michigan's ability to develop him. MICHIGAN PLAYER COMPARISON: Catchings shares a lot of similarities with former Michigan linebacker Deuce Spur- lock. Like Catchings, Spurlock was a two- way standout from the deep South who had plenty of raw athleticism but lacked technique. Spurlock served as a depth piece before transferring out. Ironically, Spurlock is currently at Liberty, where Catchings was initially committed. — EJ Holland Catchings (shown with U-M linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary) played linebacker and running back in high school and is rated as the No. 35 athlete nationally in the Rivals Industry Ranking. PHOTO COURTESY KADEN CATCHINGS