Priority three-star linebacker Matthew Brady commits to Michigan State

Following its first week of official visits for the 2027 class, Michigan State has earned a commitment from priority three-star Illinois linebacker Matthew Brady. He announced his decision on Wednesday.

Brady — who currently attends Central Catholic High School in Bloomington, Illinois — was on campus in East Lansing for his official this past weekend (May 29 through May 31).

"I believe that this place is the best place to develop me and I'm excited to help get this program back to a championship level," Brady told Spartans Illustrated about his decision to pledge to the Spartans.

He also took a visit to East Lansing on March 26 to watch the Spartans compete during spring ball. Nearly a month later, MSU offered Brady a scholarship on April 24 and the program immediately positioned itself toward the top of the linebacker's list. Now that effort has paid off for the coaching staff.

The official visit put things into perspective for Brady. He took a couple of days to reflect on the trip and stayed in close communication with the Michigan State coaching staff before quickly realizing that he was ready to give his verbal commitment to the Spartans this week.

"Mostly just the culture and development," Brady said when asked what stood out to him most about the official visit with MSU. "It isn't easy there to be a player. There are high expectations, and (there is) very hard coaching, but that is what I want and need! Also, just the coaches and the relationships I have with them. Great coaches and even better people."

Brady becomes the first official visitor this cycle to pledge to Michigan State, and the eighth overall prospect to commit to MSU in the 2027 class. He is the first linebacker to join the group.

In addition to Brady, Michigan State has received commitments from four-star defensive end Ohimai Ozolua (who is a fellow Illinois prospect), three-star quarterback Eli Stumpf, three-star safety Ty'ire Clark, three-star EDGE Jack Schuler, three-star running back Savior Owens, three-star offensive linemen Grant Adloff and three-star offensive tackle Jack Carlson thus far.

Once he arrives at MSU, Brady will be coach by head coach Pat Fitzgerald, defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Max Bullough, assistant linebackers coach Chris Gordon and the rest of the staff.

Brady has grown especially close with Bullough, his primary recruiter, and Rossi. Bullough excelled as a Spartan linebacker himself. During his playing career from 2010 through 2013, Bullough was selected as an All-American from various outlets and earned multiple All-Big Ten honors. He then went on to play in the NFL for the Houston Texans.

Bullough’s playing experience and coaching prowess played a pivotal role in Brady’s pledge to MSU. Rossi’s expertise as a coordinator and his ability to connect with his players also were key factors in Brady’s decision.

According to the Industry rankings for On3/Rivals, Brady currently ranks as the No. 1,100 overall prospect, No. 104 linebacker and No. 39 recruit in the state of Illinois for the 2027 class. Meanwhile, the 247Sports Composite rankings list him as the No. 1,352 overall recruit, No. 121 linebacker and No. 45 player in Illinois.

Brady quickly saw his recruitment take off throughout the spring. He had official visits planned with four other Big Ten programs: Northwestern, Nebraska, Minnesota and Illinois, but he will no longer be taking those trips. Other schools that offered Brady a scholarship include Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, North Dakota State, Army, Wyoming, Western Michigan, Toledo, Northern Illinois, Miami (OH) and more.

At the college level, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Brady is expected to play as an outside linebacker for the Spartans.

"I think I'm a very versatile linebacker," Brady explained when describing his playing style. "I am long and super fast. I am able to move in space and make open field tackles. I have fluid hips and am physical!"