MSU Football Gets First New Recruit Of The J Batt Era
News from the MSU Athletic Department seems to be coming out fast so far this week. In addition to the news of our new Athletic Director, J Batt, the football team has also picked up a new name for the 2026 recruiting class. In a bit of a coup, Jonathan Smith has flipped the recruitment of Brayden Thomas from Iowa State to Michigan State.
Thomas, a three-star safety from Lakewood, Ohio, had been committed to the Cyclones since February. However, even after making his commitment to ISU, reports were being made that he was making visits to other programs. MSU only entered his recruitment recently, extending an offer on May 14. Thomas came to visit East Lansing at the end of May, and then changed his college pick just days later.
According to the 247 Composite, Brayden Thomas is the #71-ranked safety in the 2026 class. He is now the 6th member of the Spartan incoming class of ‘26, and the first defensive back in that class.