Michigan State Trending to Flip Iowa State Commit Brayden Thomas
In a surprising late-cycle development, Michigan State appears to be gaining serious momentum in the recruitment of three-star linebacker Brayden Thomas, an Iowa State commit since early February. While Thomas remains officially pledged to the Cyclones, sources close to the situation indicate that the Spartans have made a strong impression on the Florida native, raising the likelihood of a potential flip before the summer recruiting period concludes.
Thomas, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker out of Clearwater Central Catholic High School, has been a standout on the field thanks to his combination of sideline-to-sideline speed, instincts, and physicality. Rated as one of the top 100 linebackers nationally in the 2025 class, Thomas originally committed to Iowa State due to the program’s strong developmental reputation and early belief in his talent. However, a late push from Michigan State has reshaped the landscape of his recruitment.
Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith and defensive coordinator Joe Rossi have taken a hands-on approach, emphasizing Thomas’s fit within their evolving defensive scheme. Sources say the Spartans view him as a hybrid linebacker capable of filling multiple roles—from weak-side linebacker in base sets to a blitz-heavy rover in sub-packages.
“Coach Rossi and Coach Smith really believe in what I can bring to the table,” Thomas said in a recent interview. “They’ve shown me how I’d be used and how much I could grow in their system. It’s definitely got me thinking.”
Thomas made an unofficial visit to East Lansing in mid-May, and the atmosphere reportedly exceeded expectations. From touring Michigan State’s facilities to bonding with current players, the visit gave Thomas and his family a deeper sense of what life as a Spartan could look like. According to a source close to the family, “The visit opened his eyes. Michigan State wasn’t on the radar like that before, but now it’s very real.”
Though Thomas has remained publicly committed to Iowa State, he is now expected to take an official visit to Michigan State in June—a move that could signal a pending shift. While the Cyclones remain firmly in the mix and are expected to fight to retain his pledge, momentum is swinging toward the Big Ten program.
For Michigan State, flipping a player like Thomas would serve as a statement of intent under Coach Smith’s leadership. The Spartans are focused on reloading their defensive front with tough, athletic playmakers, and Thomas fits that mold perfectly.
With a decision potentially coming before the fall, all eyes will be on Thomas as one of the most intriguing flip candidates in the 2025 class.
