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V-Cast: what we learned at Michigan State signing day

On3 imageby:Paul Konyndyk•12/04/24•

PKonyndyk

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East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State signed 18 high school players, including 11 mid-year enrollees on signing day.

Jonathan Smith’s second recruiting class doesn’t move the needle with recruiting analysts, by the Spartans did get some good news on signing day, as local running back Jace Clarizio flipped his commitment from Alabama to Michigan State and rangy cornerback Ayden West signed with the Spartans despite a late push from Ohio State.  

Michigan State also signed Kahaku (HI) High School outside linebacker Leonard Ah You, a former Oregon State signee, who will join the Spartan program after completing his LDS mission trip this spring.

After Smith’s press conference, SpartanMag staffers Jim Comparoni and Paul Konyndyk check in from Spartan Stadium with a signing day V-Cast.

V-CAST TOPICS

50/50: Smith indicated on Wednesday that his 18-man high school recruiting class is just one piece of the program’s recruiting effort for the 2025 recruiting cycle. The Spartans will be active and aggressive when the transfer portal opens on December 9. Smith also explained that the Spartans could see an even split between high school prospects and transfer portal prospects in this class and future classes. Quality offensive linemen will be a critical priority for the Spartans during portal recruiting. Michigan State also needs help in the pass-rush department.

Keeping Clarizio home: Smith thanked Spartan Nation NIL for helping Michigan State keep East Lansing running back Jace Clarizio home in this recruiting cycle. Clarizio, a longtime  Michigan State commitment, had flipped to Alabama before flipping back to the Spartans on Wednesday morning. Spartan Nation NIL also played a significant role in keeping rangy corner Ayden West in the fold despite heated pursuit by Ohio State.

Who We Like: There are several members of Smith’s second recruiting class at Michigan State that we feel should be ranked higher than they are by recruiting analysts. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s is home to two of the most under rated prospects in this class. Tight end Jayden Savoury got a late start on football, but there is no do denying the upside of the one-time basketball first athlete. We also like Savoury’s teammate Bryson Williams, who is one of the best athletes in Michigan in the 2025 class. Williams did not sign with Michigan State on Wednesday but remains committed to the Spartans. Other Spartan signees who we think have a good chance to outplay their recruiting ranking include in-state defensive linemen Derrick Simmons, Ohio defensive lineman Cal Thrush, and Ohio wide receiver Braylon Collier.

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