It is a banner for Michigan State athletics, marked by two significant moves that signal a bold new direction for the Spartans.
First came the high-profile hiring of J. Batt as the new athletic director, lured away from his post at Georgia Tech. Known for his modern approach to athletic management and a strong record of program-building, Batt’s appointment suggests an ambitious shift in leadership strategy for Michigan State. His arrival is expected to infuse fresh energy and vision into Spartan athletics as the school eyes long-term competitiveness across all sports.
But the big news didn’t stop there.
Later in the day, Michigan State football notched a major win on the recruiting trail, flipping a key 2026 commitment. Brayden Thomas, a rising star safety from Lakewood, Ohio, announced on social media that he is decommitting from Iowa State and pledging his future to the Spartans. The decision followed an impactful official visit to East Lansing over the weekend—one that clearly made a strong impression on the St. Edward High School standout.
Thomas, who stands at 6 feet tall and weighs 180 pounds, is ranked the No. 71 safety in the 2026 class and the 32nd overall recruit in talent-rich Ohio, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. His high school, St. Edward, is the same program that produced Michigan State alum and current Cleveland Browns wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr., and is led by respected head coach Tom Lombardo.
This flip is a meaningful victory for new safeties coach James Adams, who joined the Spartans’ staff in January and is quickly making an impact on the recruiting front. Thomas becomes one of the foundational pieces of Michigan State’s 2026 class, which now includes six committed players.
That group also features three-star linebacker Braylon Hodge, who committed just one day earlier, as well as tight ends Joey Caudill and Eddie Whiting, quarterback Kayd Coffman, and offensive tackle Eli Bickel. 16 of the 18 players currently committed are also rated three stars.
With the recruiting trail heating up, Michigan State is building toward its future under second-year head coach Jonathan Smith. The Spartans are looking to bounce back from a 5-7 campaign in 2024, which included a 3-6 finish in Big Ten play. Smith and his staff will get their next shot at progress on August 29, when the Spartans kick off the 2025 season against Western Michigan.
In one day, Michigan State not only redefined its athletic leadership but also strengthened its football future—two big flips that could shape the program for years to come.
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