Wolverine TV: Breaking down new Michigan LB commit Kaden Catchings

The Wolverine’s EJ Holland breaks down new Michigan linebacker commit Kaden Catchings, who flipped his verbal pledge from South Florida.

Watch the full video above.

Catchings Recruitment

A three-star prospect, Catchings gave Liberty an early commitment before visiting Michigan and notching an offer this summer.

Michigan was hot and cold with Catchings, who eventually flipped his commitment to South Florida. However, Michigan decided to make a push in late October and got him on campus for an official visit for the game against Purdue.

It was there where Michigan was able to re-gain momentum. The Wolverines flipped him away from South Florida soon after.

Here is what Holland had to say about Catchings.

“Catchings’ recruitment was all over the place as Michigan weighed several linebacker options this fall,” Holland said. “Once Michigan circled back and made a push, it was clear he was going to end up in Ann Arbor. Michigan is obviously a much better program than South Florida. As a recruit, Catchings is an intriguing athlete who plays both sides of the ball at the high school level. He’s an upside, project take for the Wolverines.”

At 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, Catchings is ranked as the No. 35 athlete and No. 1,319 overall prospect nationally, per the Rivals Industry Ranking.

Michigan now has 25 commits in its 2026 recruiting class — Catchings, five-star Mineral (Va.) Louisa County running back Savion Hiter, five-star Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga EDGE Carter Meadows, Top 100 Honolulu (Hawaii) Kamehameha offensive tackle Malakai Lee, Top 100 St. Louis (Mo.) DeSmet defensive lineman Titan Davis, Top 100 Billings (Mont.) West tight end Matt Ludwig, Top 100 Newberry Park (Calif.) High quarterback Brady Smigiel, On300 Needham (Mass.) St. Sebastian’s offensive lineman Marky Walbridge, On300 Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith wide receiver Travis Johnson, On300 Irmo (S.C.) Dutch Fork EDGE Julian Walker, On300 Chicago (Ill.) Simeon EDGE McHale Blade, four-star Richmond (Va.) Hermitage defensive back Andre Clarke, four-star Mansfield (Texas) High wide receiver Zion Robinson, three-star Cartersville (Ga.) Cass offensive lineman Bear McWhorter, three-star Washington (D.C.) St. John’s EDGE Tariq Boney, three-star Denver (Colo.) Mullen tight end Mason Bonner, three-star Liberty Hill (Texas) High defensive lineman Alister Vallejo, three-star Dallas (Texas) Parish Episcopal wide receiver Jaylen Pile, three-star Richmond (Va.) Huguenot linebacker Markel Dabney, three-star Hinsdale (Ill.) Central kicker Micah Drescher, three-star Columbus (Ohio) St. Francis DeSales running back Jonathan Brown, three-star Wilmette (Ill.) Loyola Academy offensive lineman Tommy Fraumann, three-star Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier linebacker Aden Reeder and three-star Phoenix (Ariz.) O’Connor long snapper Colton Dermer.

Michigan entered the day with the No. 10 ranked 2026 recruiting class nationally, per the On3 Industry team recruiting rankings. Michigan is also ranked No. 4 in the Big Ten. USC currently has the top class in the conference.