Bloomington (Ill.) Central Catholic linebacker Matthew Brady has been one of the hottest linebackers in the Midwest this offseason. But he’s got a

2027 LB Matthew Brady and Michigan State HC Pat Fitzgerald

Rivals Football Recruiting

Rivals

Pat Fitzgerald lands LB Matthew Brady as Michigan State beats three Big Ten rivals

Michigan State continues to add to its 2027 recruiting class, this time landing linebacker Matthew Brady of Bloomington (Ill.) Central Catholic.

2027 LB Matthew Brady on Michigan State official visit

SpartanMag Football Recruiting

SpartanMag

Illinois LB Matthew Brady commits to Michigan State: What It Means & What's Next

Michigan State just had a very strong group of official visitors up on campus.  Coming out of that, here is what we are hearing:  Buzz on 5/29

Deontay Malone MSU

Michigan State intel: Spartans lead for two in-state targets, prediction in for EDGE – fresh buzz from official visitors

Nebraska quarterback commit Trae Taylor earned Elite 11 Finals MVP honors, a prestigious annual showcase that has many of the nation’s top passers

Trae Taylor Elite 11 pic2

Elite 11 MVP Trae Taylor returns to Lincoln – and Nebraska's biggest official visit weekend is on deck

We have entered a very busy part of the college football recruiting calendar. Schools and prospects are lining up and taking official visits all over

David Braun

Northwestern hosting three key midweek visitors as Big Ten recruiting battles heats up

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Not only is Niemann from Illinois, but like Brady, he was a two-way guy in high school whose athleticism showed on offense. He left high school around 205 pounds, which is roughly where Brady is at. Looking at Niemann's NFL Combine numbers -- 6'3, 234 with a 4.51 forty, those are numbers we think Brady can get to based on where he was at during spring regional camps.

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Michigan State

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High school linebacker but also a quarterback. Has very good foot speed which we see in how he runs on offense, but also closes to the ball on defense. He also has gone to camps and verified that straight-line speed as well as his change of direction. Still has a frame that can carry more weight but plays a physical game which will be enhanced as he gets stronger. Comfortable playing out over a slot and in space. Will offer a school possibilities as to where to play him. Can be a WILL, a MIKE or even come down and rush off the edge in certain situations. Quarterback experience and football I.Q. allow him to regularly be in the right position to make plays. Gets into a lot of passing lanes in coverage and affects passes. Will need to adjust to the higher level in college, which will be a fairly big jump from his high school competition. But he has the frame, speed and intangibles to easily project as a starting linebacker at the Power Four level.

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