Michigan State made waves on the recruiting trail this weekend, flipping 2026 three-star defensive back Brayden Thomas from Iowa State. The commitment, announced via social media on Monday, marks a major win for head coach Jonathan Smith and his growing Spartans program.
Thomas, a standout from St. Edward High School in Ohio, had been committed to Iowa State since February. However, a recent scholarship offer from Michigan State and an official visit to East Lansing over the weekend changed the trajectory of his recruitment.
Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 175 pounds, Thomas is rated as the No. 71 safety and the No. 843 overall player in the 2026 class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. While not yet a household name, Thomas has the athleticism and instincts that could translate well at the next level.
The defensive back’s decision to flip commitments underscores Michigan State’s momentum under Coach Smith, who continues to aggressively reshape the Spartans’ recruiting identity in his second year at the helm.
Thomas becomes the sixth commitment in Michigan State’s 2026 class, joining a group entirely made up of three-star recruits so far. His addition follows just one day after the Spartans landed Braylon Hodge, a linebacker from Colorado, who also visited campus this past weekend.
Smith and his staff are prioritizing early relationships and official visit impressions to build their future roster. The back-to-back commitments suggest their strategy is resonating with recruits, especially those looking for opportunity and development in a Big Ten program on the rise.
Joining Thomas and Hodge in the 2026 class are quarterback Kayd Coffman, tight ends Eddie Whiting and Joey Caudill, and offensive lineman Eli Bickel. All six are three-star prospects, but the class is quietly building a foundation of depth and versatility.
Thomas’ versatility in the secondary could make him an early contributor. With his size and frame, he projects as a free safety but has the coverage skills to play nickel or even boundary corner depending on development.
His flip also highlights a critical battleground for Michigan State: the state of Ohio. Long a fertile recruiting ground for Big Ten programs, Ohio talent has often been courted heavily by both mid-tier Big Ten schools and nearby Power Five programs like Iowa State and Kentucky.
Flipping a player like Thomas from an established commitment also sends a message to other targets and programs: Michigan State isn’t backing down from a fight on the recruiting trail.
While the 2026 cycle is still in its early stages, Coach Smith appears to be building a class rooted in high-upside athletes who fit his long-term vision for Spartan football. It’s not about stars—it’s about system fits and ceiling.
With summer visits and camps heating up, expect more movement on the recruiting front. But for now, the Spartans are celebrating a key win—and hoping Brayden Thomas is just the beginning of a bigger recruiting haul.