2024 DB Andrew Brinson IV commits to Michigan State: 'They're all genuine'

Michigan State continues to roll on the recruiting trail under new head coach Jonathan Smith, as three-star Florida defensive back/athlete Andrew Brinson IV committed to the Spartans on Sunday.

Brinson was previously committed to Oregon State under Smith, current Michigan State secondary coach Blue Adams and many other staff members who have since made the move to East Lansing, but he decommitted from the Beavers in late November after Smith took the job at MSU.

It didn't take long after that for the new staff to offer Brinson a scholarship and set up an official visit to MSU. He took that visit this past weekend with his father, Andrew III, and his mother, Kenya. Before they left, Brinson pledged to the Spartans.

"Why I chose Michigan State was mainly because the coaching staff, they're all genuine people, great coaches," Brinson told Spartans Illustrated. "And the Big Ten is one of the best conferences, if not the best conference, for football, and they're only going up from where they're at now."

Of course, the familiarity with Smith, Adams and the other staff members made Brinson's decision to follow them to East Lansing quite easy. His relationship with Adams has been strong ever since he was an Oregon State recruit, and it has only grown since the staff moved to Michigan State.

"It made (my decision) way easier," Brinson said about his prior relationships with the coaching staff. "My relationship with Coach Smith, it's good, he's a busy guy. But, with Coach Blue (Adams), it's a great relationship. Since he's offered me, we've been in constant contact: calls, texts, he's came to my house, all that. So, him, and the assistant staff under him have been a key role in all of it."

Brinson was also able to meet with newly-hired defensive coordinator Joe Rossi for the first time while he was on the visit. They had multiple conversations and Brinson was impressed with Rossi.

"I met him, I had a few talks with him," Brinson said about Rossi. "He's a great guy. He's passionate about it. His defensive philosophy is something that I love. He just lives up to the hype of what everybody's been saying."

During the official visit, Brinson toured campus, learned more about Michigan State's educational offerings, toured the football facilities, went bowling, went go-karting and went to some good restaurants. He really enjoyed the trip.

Additionally, Brinson was able to really hit it off with the other recruits on campus, particularly the fellow defensive backs who were there with him: Jaylen Thompson (current MSU commit), Keshawn Williams (current MSU commit) and fellow Tampa, Florida native Camren Campbell (former MSU commit).

"The whole DB corps was clicking well," Brinson said about the visit. "Some of us went out all together and did some things. It went great. It was really good!"

While Mid-Michigan is a long way away from the Sunshine State, Brinson is comfortable with going to college and playing football at Michigan State. In fact, he was looking to move north for his college career anyway.

"Personally, I didn't really want to stay down south," Brinson said. "Since the (Oregon State commitment), I was planning on going up north. So, Michigan being closer to home than Oregon works better — it's drivable now. So, it all worked out."

This past weekend's visit to East Lansing was actually Brinson's very first time in the state of Michigan. He said it was "beautiful" and that he "loved it."

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Brinson ranks as the No. 28 athlete and No. 85 player in the state of Florida. He played his high school ball most recently at Gaither in Tampa, Florida.

In addition to Michigan State and Oregon State, he has scholarship offers from Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas, Liberty, Louisville, North Carolina State, Purdue, South Florida, Central Florida, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and many others. He has nearly 26 scholarship offers in total.

Brinson is a versatile defensive back who most likely projects as a cornerback, but can also play at safety or nickel back.

"I'd say I'm more so of a versatile corner," Brinson said when describing his game. "I like to tackle, good coverage in man and zone, and just a good all-around athlete."

Brinson will sign with Michigan State on Wednesday and enroll in the summer.

With the early signing period opening on Wednesday (Dec. 20), MSU's 2024 high school recruiting class grows to 11 commits as of now. The Spartans have pledges from Brinson, running backs Makhi Frazier and Brandon Tullis, tight end Wyatt Hook, wide receiver Nick Marsh, defensive back Jaylen Thompson, athlete/defensive back Justin Denson Jr., defensive back Keshawn Williams, linebacker Jadyn Walker and offensive linemen Mercer Luniewski and Charlton Luniewski.

Michigan State's 2024 high school recruiting class currently ranks 79th in the country.

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