Michigan State football lands commitment from Braylon Hodge, 3-star linebacker

Braylon Hodge ended a bit of a dry spell for Michigan State football on the 2026 recruiting trail.

Hodge, a three-star linebacker from Englewood (Colorado) Cherry Creek verbally committed to the Spartans on Sunday night.

He is the fifth verbal commitment in the Spartans’ 2026 class — and the first since North Branch offensive tackle Eli Bickel pledged on Feb. 19. Hodge is the lone defensive player in the class so far.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Hodge visited Michigan State this past weekend, and holds Big Ten offers from Iowa and Minnesota. He is ranked No. 9 overall in the state of Colorado, and No. 45 at his position nationally by 247Sports.

Also in Michigan State’s 2026 class, so far: Kayd Coffman, quarterback, East Kentwood; Eddie Whiting, tight end, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Joey Caudill, tight end, Mansfield, Ohio.