The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543210
MARCH 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 47 2026 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY CLAYTON SAYFIE In November, linebacker Kaden Catchings flipped his commitment from South Florida to Michigan. In Decem- ber, he stuck with the Wolverines de- spite Sherrone Moore being fired and the program not having a coach for over two weeks. In early January, he moved in as an early enrollee under new head coach Kyle Whittingham. It's been quite the whirlwind. "When I committed to South Florida, I was like, 'Yeah, this is the place for me,'" Catchings said of his decision to pledge to U-M. "But I went on my visit to Michi- gan, and everything changed. Everything didn't just change — I felt like this is the place that I need to be in order to be the best person I can be, on and off the field." The 2026 class stuck together, for the most part, through the coaching transi- tion in December. "I leaned on my parents," the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Jackson, Miss., native said. "They're a great support system for me. My family was just here for me. The re- cruiting class I came in with, I can say we're tight. We stuck with the program because it didn't matter who was going to be the coach, Michigan is just Michi- gan. But I'm glad we got Coach [Kyle] Whittingham. I feel like he's a great coach and has what it takes to get us to go back to the natty. "It's not easy trying to get to know somebody in such a small span of time. But if you just go back and look at everything he's done, I have faith — and all you need is a little bit of faith." Catchings began play- ing football for the Jack- son Bears at age 5 — yes, tackle football — and be- came enamored with the feeling of scoring touch- downs. Now, though, as he reaches a higher level of the game, he's driven by more than the thrill of making plays. "My motivation is just my family, because play- ing this sport, I can take care of my family," he said. That time as a run- ning back reaching the end zone has paid off for Catchings, who was a two-way player in high school but plans to settle in on defense in Ann Arbor. "Coming out of high school, I wasn't highly recruited, but I just feel like I can read the offenses pretty well," Catchings said. "That was the key for me in high school. Just based off playing running back, I know what the running back sees and can play like a running back. I can get better at every aspect of my game, because there's always room for improvement." Catchings isn't sure if he'll play right away, but he's looking to set himself up to earn opportunities. "I know I'm just going to come into work and give it my best shot," he said. "Whatever happens, it just happens." Added Catchings: "I'm pumped. It's always been a dream to play college foot- ball, and to play it for the University of Michigan is a big thing for me." All it'll take is the right motivation, hard work and a little faith. ❑ Kaden Catchings Has 'Faith' In Kyle Whittingham, Michigan KADEN CATCHINGS LINEBACKER 6-1 • 220 HARTFIELD ACADEMY JACKSON, MISS. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE Industry ✪✪✪ 1,032 95 32 ✪✪✪ — 36 21 ✪✪✪ — 134 42 ✪✪✪ — 59 43 STATISTICS Year Tackles Sacks PD Rush Yds. TD 2025 29 2 — N/A 336 6 2024 47 — 6 127 1,065 16 2023 21 — — — 61 3 2022 14 — — — — — HONORS • Earned PrepStar All-Southeast Region honors. • Helped the Hawks to reach three consecu- tive state championship games from 2023- 2025, with back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024. • Part of a program record-setting 14-win team in 2023. RECRUITMENT • Pledged to Michigan Nov. 11 after flipping from South Florida. • Originally committed to Liberty in June 2025 before picking USF in October. • Also held offers from Ole Miss and Memphis. DID YOU KNOW? • A two-way player who carried the ball as a running back and played linebacker at Hartfield Academy. • Son of Ryan Hill and Erica Catchings. • Born Dec. 4, 2007. THEY SAID IT The Wolverine's EJ Holland: "There is a lot to like about Catchings' athleticism. He shows that while playing running back on tape. However, he's a guy who will probably have to sit and wait for multiple years." 2026 PROJECTION Catchings was a senior season riser who caught the attention of the Wolverines' previous staff and continued to impress them as the fall progressed. Michigan is very high on the versatile linebacker, who played both sides of the ball at the prep level. He will likely redshirt. Catchings was a two-way player at Hartfield Academy in Jackson, Miss., but will focus on linebacker at U-M. PHOTO COURTESY OF KADEN CATCHINGS