How two Michigan commits ended up at America's most feared high school program, formed unbreakable bond

The brotherhood.

Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy may seem like a football factory on the surface. The super school attracts some of the best recruits from all over the country on a yearly basis, leading plenty of high school coaches to express their displeasure.

Those around IMG have heard it all — ‘it’s unfair’ ‘they’re stealing our kids’ ‘we won’t play a team like that’

But if you dig a little deeper, IMG Academy is more than just a team full of individual blue chip prospects. It’s a literal brotherhood. From the dorms to the classroom to the field, these dudes literally spend all day together and become each other’s family away from home.

Regardless of your hot take on IMG, there is no debate that it prepares high level players for the next level, — both on and off the field — provides arguably the best facilities in the country and inspires competition at the highest level.

Just ask On300 Michigan running back commit Donovan Johnson.

“The development brought me to IMG,” Johnson said. “I wanted to learn more. All the coaches have played in the NFL. I’m also surrounded by guys that have the same mentality as me as well. We compete every single day. That mindset, drive and determination is different at IMG. I love competition.”

Johnson had no reason to leave Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Baptist. He loved growing up in one of America’s most beautiful towns and had a breakout freshman season that saw him earn offers from several of college football’s true blue blood programs.

But Johnson wanted more. As soon as he got the call to join the IMG program, Johnson took it — even if that meant he would have to sit behind eventual Texas signee Jerrick Gibson.

“I have to give a big shoutout to Jerick Gibson,” Johnson said. “He taught me a lot. Just seeing him work and how much he put into it, it gave me a new look on how to work. That’s my brother. I paid attention to how he ran his routes and blocked. He’s good on and off the field. It was easy to learn from him because it’s a brotherhood here. That’s what we call it — the brotherhood.”

Michigan offensive line commit Kaden Strayhorn wanted more, too. Strayhorn made the varsity team at Detroit (Mich.) Catholic Central as a freshman and appeared to be the center piece of the program moving forward.

The Strayhorn name also carries a ton of weight in the state of Michigan as his father, Jason, played for Michigan State and is a popular commentator for the Spartans around The Mitten.

Still, Kaden created his own path when he picked Michigan over Michigan State this summer. And he made a similar decision when he left Central Catholic for IMG Academy.

“It means everything to be here,” Strayhorn said. “I found out about IMG when I was nine year old. I told my parents I wanted to go there. When I got the opportunity, it meant the world to me. My brother even goes here now. My family is bought in. There is no better high school to get you better for college.”

As fate would have it, Johnson and Strayhorn arrived at IMG the same year and were assigned to be roommates. At the time, Johnson didn’t have a Michigan offer and Strayhorn was expected to follow in his father’s footsteps and side with Michigan State.

With Strayhorn being from Michigan and Johnson being from Georgia, there was no prior connection. But the two future Michigan Men instantly clicked — call it the IMG brotherhood effect.

“It’s a genuine friendship,” Johnson said. “He’s like a brother to me. We spend a lot of time together on and off the field, so we have a great connection. I’m really excited to play with him again. I think our connection is going to translate right over to Michigan. He’s a workhorse and gets the job done. He’s a leader and takes control of the whole offensive line. I’m excited to be his running back.”

Strayhorn added:

“We’ve been here together for two and a half years now,” Strayhorn said. “We’ve bonded and have always gotten along really well. Having Donovan come to Michigan is going to be really good because we have that IMG to Michigan thing going.”

Strayhorn has thrived at IMG, where has been a multi-year starter at tackle. Johnson flashed his sophomore season but missed his entire junior year due to a torn ACL. Both are on a mission to excel on the field this year make sure IMG remains the most feared team in high school football.

IMG suffered a minor setback during the opening week of the season, as it fell to Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon in heartbreaking fashion. However, IMG did rebound last Thursday with a win over Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic.  

This week, IMG will welcome Cocoa (Fla.) High to town. It’s a fascinating matchup between a national juggernaut and a public power. The game is also a bit of a future brotherhood affair as Strayhorn and Johnson will square off against Top 100 Michigan quarterback commit Brady Hart.

“I’m excited for that,” Strayhorn said. “He messaged me about it, and we’re excited to meet each other. I’m on offense, so I won’t be going up against him (laughs), but it’ll be fun. We take it week by week, and we’re going to execute on that day.”

Hart was adamant that he would lead Cocoa to victory. Strayhorn and Johnson, however, kept their predictions much closer to the vest.

“Brady Hart is very good player, so we’ll see how the game goes,” Johnson said with a laugh.