LOOK: Recap of Michigan State’s early signing day

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Michigan State Payton Thorne

Today was officially the early national signing day, and the Michigan State Spartans received some good news on the recruiting trail. Head coach Mark Dantonio and his crew signed 20 prospects on the day, and their class currently ranks No. 24 according to 247Sports.

Michigan State’s class included four 4-star recruits. Among those are in-state quarterback Theo Day, defensive back Kalon Gervin, tight end Trenton Gillison, and defensive back Xavier Henderson.

You can meet the full group of Spartan commits below via Twitter:

Zachary Slade is a versatile player, who was extremely productive in high school. Slade is from Olentangy, Ohio, and figures to be in the mix to compete for multiple different positions for the Spartans.

As it turns out, Zachary Slade wouldn’t be the only Slade to commit to Michigan State on this day, as his brother Jacob Slade will join him in the green and white. Like his brother, he could also compete to play at multiple positions. He’s currently projected as a defensive lineman.

Defensive back Chris Jackson committed to the Spartans, coming from Marietta, Georgia. Jackson is an aggressive type defensive back, who should fit well in the Spartans system.

The Spartans were also able to land linebacker Edward Warinner out of Powell, Ohio. Warriner is a downhill linebacker who is really at taking on blocks and reading and reacting to plays quickly.

Michigan State nabbed Julian Major, a wide receiver out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Major is great at shielding off defenders and does a wonderful job of making tough catches.

Xavier Henderson was a stud in high school, earning recognition as a Co-Defensive player of the year in the state of Ohio. Henderson plays defensive back, and was one of four 4-stars to commit to the Spartans today.

Tight end Trenton Gillison was a big pick-up at the tight end position. Gillison is also from Ohio and was part of last year’s state championship team. He was also a 4-star recruit.

Running back Elijah Collins won’t be going far from home, as he is out of Detroit, Michigan. Collins is a quick back who will hope to contribute sooner rather than later for the Spartans.

Michigan State got another linebacker from the state of Ohio, getting Jeslord Boateng to sign today. Boateng was a stand-up edge guy who will likely play SAM linebacker.

Davion Williams is another one of Michigan State’s recruits out of the state of Michigan. Williams is a long, athletic corner with fantastic leaping ability.

Kalon Gervin was probably Michigan State’s most prized recruit. Gervin was ranked by some as the No. 1 recruit in the state of Michigan. He has legitimate track speed and plays very fundamentally sound with great technique.

The Spartans got their in-state quarterback, receiving a commitment from 4-star quarterback Theo Day. He is a tall, lanky quarterback with exceptional arm talent. Day is the type who can make any throw to any part of the field that you ask him to.

Dimitri Douglas was a solid offensive line pick-up for the Spartans. He rotated between guard and tackle in high school, but projects better as a tackle because of his athletic ability.

La’Darius Jackson is a stud in-state athlete, earning Michigan’s Mr. Football honor. Jackson is athletic and versatile enough to play any position. He played some quarterback in high school, but will probably end up as a running back as a Spartan.

Chase Kline was the Division III player of the year in the state of Ohio at the linebacker position. Kline has excellent size and plays a physical style. He also has some surprising speed that will come in handy at the next level.

Michael Dowell is a defensive back out of the state Ohio. He will become the third Dowell to join the Spartans, along with brothers Andrew and David. Both of those guys start on the Spartan’s defense, and Michael will figure to eventually do the same.

Javez Alexander is a wide receiver from Sandusky, Ohio. He has good size to go along with natural gifts that should allow for him to be a play-maker for Michigan State.

Parks Gissinger is going a long ways from home, as he’s from Los Angeles, California. Gissinger is an active pass rusher at the defensive end position.

Jacob Isaia is an offensive lineman from Las Vegas, Nevada. He displays good footwork and he won’t be the first one from the Isaia family to play for the Spartans, as he’s following in his family’s footsteps as he is the grandson of Spartan great Bob Apisa.

James Ohonba is a massive offensive lineman out of Stockbridge, Georgia. He gets off the ball well and has a very strong initial push.

Overall, it was a really good day for Michigan State football. All 20 who signed today had already given their verbal commitment. In fact, the Spartans didn’t have any prospects who had already given their verbal commitment, not sign today.

It’s a good and promising start to the 2018 class that could possibly see some more commitments before the month of February.