With four offensive linemen now in the 2027 class, Stanford's rebuild in the trenches is taking real shape.
Stanford football is addressing a big area of need yet again. On Monday, the Cardinal received another commitment for their 2027 recruiting class, this time adding three-star offensive lineman Braden Chaffin. At 6-foot-6, 290 pounds, he has the frame to make an immediate physical impact at the college level.
Chaffin, a standout player at Stevenson High School in Detroit, plays guard and will look to help strengthen an interior offensive line that has struggled in recent seasons.
Originally committed to Miami (OH), Chaffin flipped his commitment to Stanford after visiting The Farm, buying into the culture that new head coach Tavita Pritchard and general manager Andrew Luck are building.
Chaffin is joining an ever-growing list of new recruits that have been convinced to commit after a visit to Stanford.
Receiving offers from several other programs including UCLA, Louisville, Minnesota and Northwestern, the Cardinal are clearly building up a program that is attracting recruits. This certainly bodes well for the viewpoint that the team is growing into being more nationally relevant in the coming years and should be in competition for a bowl game shortly.
Chaffin is now the seventh player to join Stanford's 2027 class and the fourth offensive lineman. However, Chaffin is the first interior lineman that the Cardinal have signed, with the other offensive linemen in Benjamin Lowther, George Tyus and Clint Lundin all projected to play tackle.
A strong run blocker, Chaffin's addition gives Stanford the opportunity to really open up their run game more when he gets to The Farm. An improved offensive line would mean an improved running game, and an improved running game would lead to improved quarterback play. All of a sudden, Stanford's offense could be humming with so much emphasis on the O-line.
The Cardinal ranked last in the ACC in points scored (226) in 2025, 16th out of 17 teams in rushing yards per game (84.5) and 13th in passing yards per game with 222.
Other players currently signed in Stanford's 2027 class include QB Sione Kaho, Lowther, Savoy Guidry, Tyus, Lundin and tight end Jude Chamberlain. While the main focus is on the upcoming 2026 season, where the Cardinal are eager to make a bowl game for the first time since 2018, the program will continue to recruit hard in order to keep the window of success open.
Chaffin will join the program during a time when a lot of new faces will be in the offensive line mix.
