Grayson Thurston announced that his college plans will be close to home, one day after his junior season at Warren De La Salle ended in the MHSAA football playoffs.
Thurston, one of Michigan’s top junior high school quarterbacks, announced his commitment to Michigan State football on Saturday, Nov. 14, during the Spartans‘ game against Washington. Thurston formally pledged his football future to the Spartans one day after De La Salle fell to Harper Woods 38-13 in the Division 3 regional final round.
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Thurston is Michigan State’s first commit in the 2028 recruiting class. He is the second junior high school quarterback in Michigan to verbally commit to college, joining Detroit Cass Tech’s Donald Tabron II (Texas A&M).
A two-year starter under center, Thurston has led De La Salle to the semifinal and regional final round in his first two playoff runs. He missed an extended period of time during the regular season after picking up an injury in a close loss to Birmingham Brother Rice in Week 3.
Thurston returned down the stretch, helping De La Salle knock off Dearborn Divine Child in Week 8 and win another district trophy.
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“He has grown a ton as a leader,” De La Salle offensive coordinator James Light said in August entering the 2026 season. “He is now a guy that can get on the receivers and coaches. He can take the lead on that, which is huge because they hear a different voice. He has grown a ton in confidence and in knowing the offense.”
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Warren De La Salle Collegiate sophomore quarterback Grayson Thurston (13) looks to start a play against Davison at Davison High School on Friday, September 5, 2025.
As a sophomore in 2025, Thurston completed 63% of his passes for 1,957 yards and 20 touchdowns in his first varsity action. He helped De La Salle shrug off a 3-6 regular season for a surprise run to the Division 3 semifinals, including an upset win over Detroit King on the road. The Free Press ranked him the No. 5 QB to watch entering the 2026 season.
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“Grayson has really taken off and gotten to the point where this is his team now,” De La Salle head coach Dan Rohn said in the summer. “He’s managing it, he’s controlling practices. It has been fun to watch. When you know you have a special quarterback when he’s young, you’re waiting for him to develop and take over. That’s the point he is at now.”
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Jared Ramsey covers high school sports for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jramsey@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: De La Salle QB Grayson Thurston becomes MSU football’s 1st 2028 commit
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