Earlier this week, Michigan State football lost one of its top commits, Tyren Wortham, who decided to reopen his recruitment in the midst of garnering more interest on the recruiting trail.
Fast forward four days later, and Jonathan Smith has lost his second 2026 commit.
According to reports, three-star linebacker Braylon Hodge from Colorado has decided to reopen his recruitment, and he’s now considering three programs.
And one of them is Michigan. Pain.
4-Star LB Braylon Hodge tells @Rivals he’s focusing on Michigan, Oregon, & Texas
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) October 10, 2025
He was originally scheduled to OV Mizzou, but that will no longer happen
OV’d Michigan last weekend, will OV Oregon this weekend, & plans to OV Texas as well https://t.co/y9peKwIzGM pic.twitter.com/Zk8433xfTN
The decommitment definitely hurt, but the fact that he’s now considering three teams, and one of them is rival Michigan is like a knife to the back. Hodge doesn’t understand the rivalry enough because he’s not from the state, but this is one of those things you just don’t do as a Spartan recruit or player.
We saw Jaden Mangham transfer from Michigan State to Michigan, and the entire fanbase flipped on the former starting safety. He went from a fan favorite to a villain in the snap of a finger.
Hodge never suited up for Michigan State, but we’ve seen recruits flip from Michigan State to Michigan over the years, and it doesn’t always work out — just ask Drake Harris.
The Spartans’ 2026 class has thinned out a bit this week with two decommitments from a couple of the top-ranked guys in the group. Smith has to prove he can take care of business on the field and put together a winning program so he doesn’t lose his top recruits every time a program that’s having more success comes along and offers a scholarship.
The football program desperately needs some good news.