2024 LB Brady Pretzlaff Signs with Michigan State: 'It means a ton'

Michigan State has landed a commitment from an important in-state linebacker as 2024 three-star prospect Brady Pretzlaff pledged to the Spartans. He also signed his National Letter of Intent on Wednesday as well.

The Spartans were able to successfully land Pretzlaff after he decommitted from Minnesota. He had been committed to the Golden Gophers since January, but when newly-hired Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith took over the program in late November, the MSU staff quickly made Pretzlaff a priority and pursued him.

"I chose to commit to Michigan State because first off it’s the home-state team, but I also have a good connection with the coaches and think that they will be able to develop me really well," Pretzlaff told Spartans Illustrated.

Pretzlaff took an official visit to Michigan State during the weekend of Dec. 8 through Dec. 10.

"Visit (to Michigan State) went really well," Pretzlaff told Spartans Illustrated after the trip. "I think my favorite parts were learning what the program had to offer, which was far more than (the) on-the-field success that it sets athletes up for."

Perhaps making Pretzlaff's decision to join the Spartans a little bit easier, Michigan State recently hired Joe Rossi as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Rossi's most recent role was as Minnesota's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, and he was Pretzlaff's primary recruiter.

Obviously, Pretzlaff has grown close with Rossi and their relationship can now grow in East Lansing. Pretzlaff feels comfortable in Rossi's defensive system and knows he can thrive in it.

"My relationship with Coach Rossi has been great," Pretzlaff said. "He has visited Gaylord many times and I’ve built a good relationship with him. I think I fit well into his system as a in-the-box linebacker and that’s what I’ve played the past two years of high school."

While Pretzlaff was not aware of who the defensive coordinator was going to be while he was on the official visit earlier this month, he liked the vision that Smith had for the program and connected well with the other coaches on staff. When he found out that Rossi was going to be MSU's defensive coordinator hire, he was excited.

"I was able to build a better relationship with Coach Rossi because we have known each other longer and I definitely think very highly of him," Pretzlaff said. "I have just started getting to know Coach Smith, but I think he is a great coach that has not only a vision but a plan to turn Michigan State back into a powerful program."

While Pretzlaff is ecstatic about Rossi being hired, he had no idea it was happening until a report from ESPN's Pete Thamel broke the news on Dec. 10. A couple days later, he connected with Rossi.

"I actually spoke to Coach Rossi for the first time (since the news broke) on Dec. 12, so I found out when everyone else did and it made me very excited for the opportunity I had at Michigan State," Pretzlaff explained.

Ultimately, Pretzlaff decided that Michigan State was the right choice for him. Still, making the decision to decommit from Minnesota on Dec. 13 was a difficult one for the Gaylord native.

While he believes in Coach Smith and the MSU staff, and Coach Rossi is making the move from Minneapolis to East Lansing, he built strong relationships with the Golden Gophers, including with head coach P.J. Fleck. It was something he prayed about and eventually found his answer.

"It was a really difficult decision to decommit from Minnesota," Pretzlaff said. "The fans and coaches providing so much support for the amount of time they did made it so I could really connect with them. At the end of the day, I have to do what’s best for me and my future as I would expect all of them to do to, and after really weighing everything out, it was Michigan State that made more sense for me. I truly am very appreciative of all that they did for me and believe Coach Fleck is building a very good program over there."

Additionally, Pretzlaff has a great deal of pride for playing for his home-state school. Being able to put on a Michigan State uniform in the near future is special to him.

"It means a ton to be playing for an in-state school," Pretzlaff noted. "There is such a deep history and the rivalries that I grew up watching is going to be amazing to play in — it’s the stuff you grow up dreaming about. Also, being able to have family and friends make it to every home game is huge."

As a senior in 2023, Pretzlaff recorded 126 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, eight sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He led Gaylord High School to an 11-1 record and to both a conference championship and district championship

As a standout inside linebacker for the Blue Devils, Pretzlaff was recently named to the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association (MHSFCA) Dream Team for the 2023 season. He was also named as the Traverse City area Defensive Player of the Year by MLive.

"I would describe myself as a smart physical downhill linebacker," Pretzlaff said. "I pride myself upon studying film and always putting myself in the right position. I know there are more physically gifted athletes, so it’s things like that, that I believe set me apart. On top of that, football is one of the only games where violence is encouraged, so I like to play a violent style of football."

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Pretzlaff ranks as the No. 17 player in the state of Michigan. In addition to Michigan State and Minnesota, he has offers to play college football at Illinois, Central Michigan, Stanford and Michigan.

He becomes the 19th member in Michigan State's 2024 high school recruiting class. He joins defensive end Kekai Burnett, wide receivers Nick Marsh and Austin Clay, quarterbacks Ryland Jessee and Alessio Milivojevic, running backs Makhi Frazier and Brandon Tullis, tight end Wyatt Hook, defensive backs Andrew Brinson, Jaylen Thompson, Justin Denson Jr. and Keshawn Williams, linebacker Jadyn Walker, and offensive linemen Mercer Luniewski, Charlton Luniewski, Payton Stewart, Rustin Young and Rakeem Johnson.

Michigan State's 2024 high school recruiting class currently ranks 55th in the country.

Pretzlaff plans to get started right away and enroll at Michigan State in January. One thing is certain, he will arrive to MSU ready to work.

"My message to Michigan State fans is I will do everything in my power to bring as much success to East Lansing as possible," Pretzlaff said.

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