EAST LANSING - Michigan State initially offered La'Darius Jefferson a scholarship as a linebacker.

Then as coach Mark Dantonio and his staff continued to pour over film of the three-star recruit racking up monster numbers while quarterbacking Muskegon High School to a state title this season, they reevaluated him as an athlete. Too good to not find a spot on the roster for him.

Jefferson, who committed to the Spartans less than two weeks ago while visiting East Lansing, gave Michigan State a new weapon to tinker with by signing his national letter of intent Wednesday. He will get an initial shot at running back, but Dantonio pointed out there's still a chance he could play quarterback - or linebacker, or punt returner.

"I just think he's an extremely good football player and I think he needs to touch the football," Dantonio said. "When you watch him on offense, he needs to touch the football."

Basically, the Spartans are confident Jefferson will be a playmaker at Michigan State due to his skillset and athleticism. The same applies to others in the 20-member 2018 class the Spartans landed on Wednesday during the first day of the early signing period and they hope to add a few more in the traditional February signing period.

Asked about Chris Jackson, a three-star defensive back from Lassiter High School in Georgia, Dantonio mentioned seeing a windmill dunk.

Davion Williams, a three-star defensive back from Belleville High School, was focused solely on basketball before playing his first season of varsity football as a junior and turning into a highly-coveted prospect. Dantonio credited Michigan State's basketball coaches for recommending he look at Williams.

Javez Alexander, a three-star prospect from Sandusky High School in Ohio, was a quarterback and didn't take a snap at wide receiver this season, but will transition to pass catcher for the Spartans.

Trent Gillison, a four-star tight end from Pickerington Central High School in Ohio, is also a standout baseball player and could be a two-sport athlete at Michigan State.

Again and again during Wednesday's press conference, athleticism was at the forefront.

"I will say this: This is an extremely athletic class, very skilled in a lot of ways, whether you're looking at offensive linemen or at any position," Dantonio said. "They're very skilled."

The athleticism that Dantonio repeatedly highlighted is prevalent in the secondary, which is the centerpiece of the 2018 signing class. The Spartans signed five defensive backs - more than any other position.

Kalon Gervin, a four-star prospect from Detroit Cass Tech, is the No. 2 player in Michigan, No. 19 cornerback and No. 178 recruit overall in the 2018 class, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. The former Notre Dame commit who had about 40 offers is also the highest-rated player to sign with Michigan State's class and one of seven early enrollees in the group.

"I think that he's a guy that will have an opportunity to play pretty quick," Dantonio said. "I think he's a dynamic player and very excited to have him."

Xavier Henderson, a four-star defensive back from Pickerington Central, told the Michigan State coaching staff how important it was to get Gervin and helped recruit him. Henderson is quite talented himself as he lined up at cornerback, safety, wide receiver, running back, punt returner and kick returner this season while helping his team win a state title. He will also be an early enrollee.

"He really can play," Dantonio said. "I think he'll have an opportunity to play very early in his career here. Coming early will give him that foundation I just talked about."

Dantonio spent nearly an hour breaking down the 2018 signing class and the upside each player brings to the Spartans. The talent and athleticism are there, but it is still a significant leap to the next level.

Heading into the Dec. 28 Holiday Bowl against Washington State, Michigan State (9-3, 7-2 Big Ten) has played 13 true freshmen, which is a record during Dantonio's 11-year tenure leading the program. The youth movement was key in flipping last year's 3-9 record, but it is clear those coming next must earn their spot.

"They're all going to come now to a football team that's got good players and we don't lose a lot," Dantonio said. "We've got good players and they're all going to have to compete with those players and everybody here has the same accolades that they have. ... It's up to them now, intangibly, how do they handle work, how do they handle problems, how do they handle disappointment, how is their effort, what's their ability to learn a system, can they stay healthy, all these different things - some tangible, some intangible - that they're going to have to do to raise their level of play."