When Joe Rossi came over from Minnesota, there was a coveted local linebacker that decided to follow his defensive coordinator. That linebacker was four-star Brady Pretzlaff.
Pretzlaff had committed to Rossi while he was still Minnesota's defensive coordinator, but decided to flip to Michigan State when his future coach opted to take the same job in East Lansing. It made sense, too, because Pretzlaff is from Michigan and grew up watching the Spartans.
The decision probably wasn't easy to commit to Minnesota and leave the state in the first place, so when Rossi took the Spartans' job, he quickly followed his coach.
And now he looks like he could be a breakout candidate in his second collegiate season.
His linebacking mate, Wayne Matthews III, had some high praise for him after Tuesday's practice, singling him out as a guy to watch, saying that "he's gonna be a guy."
Wayne Matthews III: “New additions, our linebacker room is stacked. Brady Pretzlaff, to name one, he’s gonna be a guy.”
— Emmett Matasovsky (@E_Matasovsky57) August 5, 2025
Pretzlaff appeared in just four games as a freshman, maintaining that redshirt and totaling seven tackles and a tackle for loss in that limited action. He looked like a future star when he was on the field, even though it was small glimpses.
Now, he's going to have more of a chance to prove himself.
Matthews admitted that the linebacker room is "stacked", and even with that being the case, Pretzlaff is standing out as one of the young guys who will be a guy. That's a great sign for the future of that linebacker room. Pretzlaff has all the tools necessary to be special.
So far during camp, coaches and players have singled out guys like Derrick Simmons, Jace Clarizio, and now Pretzlaff. The future is bright in East Lansing.