After a 5-7 season under first year head coach Jonathan Smith, MSU football has begun its offseason.
Eighteen Spartan recruits signed their letters of intent on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period. All 18 recruits are three-stars and MSU's 2025 class is ranked No. 57 nationally, according to 247Sports.
Here's a breakdown of each player in Smith's 2025 freshman class.
*All rankings are according to the 247Sports composite.
RB Jace Clarizio
The biggest shocker and arguably the most rewarding signing for MSU is Clarizio, a 6-foot running back out of East Lansing High School. After pledging to MSU in May, Clarizio recently flipped to Alabama before making a last-minute decision to stick with his hometown team.
The workhorse back — known for his speed — carried the ball 214 times for 1,679 yards with 28 touchdowns this season for the Division 2 semifinalist Trojans. Clarizio is ranked No. 496 nationally and No. 5 in the state.
"All of us felt really confident that our place was a great fit for him, and not just because he is a couple of miles away from the campus," Smith said Wednesday. "He's got an opportunity to be a legacy at this place. I think (flipping Clarizio) shows we can compete at the highest level."
DL Derrick Simmons
Simmons, a stout, 6-foot-3 defensive lineman who plays explosive and low to the ground, hails from Frankenmuth High School.
Simmons helped lead his Division 5 team to the state title game at Ford Field, ranked No. 512 nationally and No. 8 in the state.
LB Charles White
The 6-foot-3 linebacker from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s High School plays fast and with power. In his 2024 campaign while helping lead his Division 2 team to a state championship, White tallied 110 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Back in April, White became the first in-state player in the 2025 class to commit to MSU. He is ranked No. 533 nationally and No. 9 in the state.
ATH Terrance "Deuce" Edwards
Edwards, the cousin of former MSU wide receiver Felton Davis III, hails from Trinity Episcopal High School in Richmond, Virginia. Like Clarizio, Edwards was a last-minute flip for MSU, originally pledging to West Virginia. Edwards can play both receiver and defensive back and is known for showcasing his track-like speed at both positions. Edwards is ranked No. 715 nationally and No. 22 in the state of Virginia.
LB Di'Mari Malone
Malone, from Macomb Dakota High School near Detroit, is a downhill linebacker with confidence to drop back in coverage. He is ranked No. 853 nationally and No. 15 in the state.
DB Aydan West
West is a solid and versatile defensive back that can move around from position to position. The MSU commit from Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Maryland was highly recruited, receiving offers from Ohio State and Virginia Tech, but maintained his pledge and stuck with MSU. West is ranked No. 853 nationally and No. 25 in Maryland.
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"I think West has an opportunity to impact the game pretty early on in his career," Smith said.
QB Leo Hannan
Hannan is a 6-foot-4 quarterback with good arm strength, footwork and football IQ. Hailing from Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif., Hannan received multiple offers from teams like Colorado and BYU, but stuck with MSU, becoming the first player in the 2025 class to sign with the Spartans. Hannan is ranked No. 879 nationally and No. 68 in California.
"I'm anxious to see Hannan throw the ball around," Smith said. "He loves talking football, that stood out to us. We went to his high school and he wanted to talk schemes. So that jumps out, that he loves talking ball, and I think that's important to have that kind of a quarterback."
DE/LB Leonard Ah You
Ah You originally signed with Smith and Oregon State two years ago to be part of the Beavers’ 2023 class, but delayed playing college football to fulfill a mission trip in Samoa. The 6-foot-3 hybrid linebacker comes from Kahuku High School in Laie, Hawaii, sporting a good variety of pass-rushing abilities. In 2023, Ah You ranked No. 1,077 nationally and No. 5 in Hawaii.
"We've had guys come back from Mormon missions and we understand that it's going to take a little bit of time, but he's moving around," Smith said. "He gets back here in April, he has a full summer of training, so we feel great that he’ll be able to get in shape."
OL Drew Nichols
The 6-foot-5 Nichols possesses the ability to bring more offensive depth — especially at the guard position — for MSU in years to come. Nichols hails from Murrieta Valley High School in Murrieta, Calif., displaying good balance and footwork.
Nichols is ranked No. 879 nationally and No. 68 in California.
TE Jayden Savoury
From Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, Savoury was a basketball star and did not play football until his junior year. The late bloomer and dual-sport athlete possesses the athleticism and frame to develop into a solid tight end. Savoury is ranked No. 928 nationally and No. 17 in the state.
WR Braylon Collier
Collier comes from Perkins High School in Sandusky, Ohio with over 3,000 career receiving yards. The four-sport athlete — basketball, baseball, track and football — carries quickness and elusiveness, helping MSU make up for the graduation of wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr.
Collier is ranked No. 928 nationally and No. 37 in Ohio.
DB Evan Young
Just after MSU lost the commitment of defensive back LaRue Zamorano, Young announced his pledge to the Spartans. From Lufkin High School in Lufkin, Texas, Young primarily plays safety and is adept at tackling in space.
Young is ranked No. 1,107 nationally and No. 71 in Texas.
DB George Mullins
Mullins was sought after by Smith and his staff while still at Oregon State. After continuous talks, the 6-foot-2 defensive back from South Sumter High School in Bushnell, Florida committed to MSU over the Beavers.
Mullins possesses good size with a physical ability to cover receivers, ranked No. 1,162 nationally and No. 150 in Florida.
OL Justin Bell
Along with Malone, Bell was the second player signed from Dakota High School in Macomb. The towering 6-foot-8 lineman brings size to a MSU offensive line that needs it. Bell is ranked No. 1,213 nationally and No. 22 in the state of Michigan.
"Bell really did a nice job in our camp in the summer," Smith said. "He has good size and we were able to work him out, and he did great with that."
DL Cal Thrush
After not being recruited to Ohio State like his father was, Thrush committed to MSU. Hailing from Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, Ohio, the built and speedy defensive lineman has the makings to be a solid edge rusher under proper development.
Thrush is ranked No. 1,309 nationally and No. 56 in Ohio.
WR Charles Taplin
From Red Oak High School in Red Oak, Texas, Taplin caught 37 receptions for 502 yards and three touchdowns. The speedy 6-foot receiver shines brightest in open space, possessing a mixed ability of quickness and speed.
Taplin is ranked No. 1,545 nationally and No. 232 in Texas.
RB Zion Gist
After originally committing to Western Michigan, Gist flipped to MSU. The solid-sized running back from Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, Illinois displays speed that can benefit MSU both in the running and passing games.
Gist is ranked No. 2,097 nationally and No. 59 in Illinois.
WR/RB Bryson Williams
The third player in MSU's 2025 class from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s High School has yet to sign his letter of intent, stating that he’ll sign in February.
In the meantime, MSU must fend off teams like Kansas and Pitt from flipping the versatile, built and speedy athlete. Williams is ranked No. 967 nationally and No. 18 in Michigan.
