Alabama football lands Michigan OL transfer with Nick Saban ties: What to know
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Alabama football has started to rebuild its offensive line.
With multiple spots to fill up front for 2026, the Crimson Tide added Michigan offensive line transfer Kaden Strayhorn, who just finished his freshman season with the Wolverines.
Strayhorn visited Alabama Monday, Jan. 5, and committed shortly thereafter, he confirmed on his social media
Strayhorn is the fourth transfer portal addition for the Crimson Tide, joining former Oklahoma State tight end Josh Ford, former NC State running back Hollywood Smothers and former Virginia Tech linebacker Caleb Woodson.
Kaden Strayhorn stats
Strayhorn did not play much as a true freshman for Michigan.
A three-star interior offensive lineman out of IMG Academy, the Novi, Michigan native, appeared in two games for the Wolverines. He played 14 snaps at center against Central Michigan and all 80 snaps at right guard in Michigan’s Cheez-It Citrus Bowl loss to Texas.
Strayhorn allowed three pressures against the Longhorns.
Strayhorn, a 6-foot-2, 308-pound lineman, played three seasons at IMG Academy after playing his freshman high school season at Detroit Catholic Central. Strayhorn played right tackle as a senior in 2024 and played with Alabama offensive lineman Michael Carroll.
Strayhorn’s father, Jason Strayhorn, played center for Michigan State from 1994-98 under head coach Nick Saban.
Kaden Strayhorn eligibility: How many years does Alabama get?
Kaden Strayhorn secured a redshirt from his first season at Michigan. He has four seasons of eligibility.
How Kaden Strayhorn fits with Alabama football
Alabama has a few holes to fill on its offensive line that Strayhorn could fill.
Both Crimson Tide guard spots are open after Kam Dewberry, Jaeden Roberts and Geno VanDeMark each exhausted their collegiate eligibility, and Wilkin Formby entered the NCAA transfer portal. But Alabama also needs a center after Parker Brailsford elected to enter the NFL draft and Joseph Ionata entered the portal.
Whatever spot Strayhorn fills, it’s one that he could fill for a number of years having just played two games as a true freshman for Michigan.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Michigan OL Kaden Strayhorn transfers to Alabama football
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