Just over three months ago, linebacker Braylon Hodge committed to the Michigan State Spartans. Yesterday, the three-star prospect announced he had received an offer from Sherrone Moore and the Michigan Wolverines.
Hodge, who is a Colorado native, has only visited the Spartans, opting to take his three other official visits with the Utah Utes, San Diego State Aztecs, and Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Despite never setting foot in Ann Arbor, Moore and the young linebacker reportedly had a great conversation, and now, the Wolverines want him on their team.
The in-state rivalry is no secret, but over the last decade or so, the Wolverines have greatly outpaced the Spartans, both on the field and on the recruiting trail. As soon as Hodge announced his offer from Michigan, the rumor mill started churning out reports that he needed to be on flip watch.
After a great conversation tonight with @luc_brian I’m blessed and thankful to receive an offer from University of Michigan! @AveryBeanUM @BrandonHuffman @GregBiggins @SWiltfong_ @BlairAngulo @Andrew_Ivins @CCNextLevelFB @MoSSwag94 @Coach_Ceddy @CoachBetti pic.twitter.com/h64e2YcOqK
— 3⭐️- Braylon Hodge (@BraylonHodge) September 10, 2025
Obviously, Michigan has had the upper hand over the last few years, winning the National Championship just two seasons ago. However, former Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith taking over the program brought a slight surge to the Spartans’ recruiting efforts.
Yet, in the 2025 recruiting cycle, Smith was only able to bring in the No. 47 class in the country, which ranked No. 14 in the Big Ten, a far cry from the Wolverines’ class, which ranked sixth nationally.
However, with commitments from prospects like Hodge, Michigan State is trending in the right direction, moving up 11 spots in the national rankings. However, if Moore and his staff can flip Hodge to their program, it would improve an already top-10 recruiting class of 2026.
Currently, Michigan’s upcoming class is headlined by five-star running back Savion Hiter, who is the No. 1 overall RB in the class and is the No. 12 overall athlete, and five-star EDGE Carter Meadows.
While the Wolverines have already landed three-star linebacker Markel Dabney, it never hurts to add yet another blue-chip prospect to the depth chart.
Beyond Dabney and Meadows, Michigan has also earned commitments from four-star defensive lineman Titan Davis, four-star EDGE Julian Walker, four-star EDGE McHale Blade, four-star defensive lineman Alister Vallejo, and three-star EDGE Tariq Boney to beef up the D-Line.