EAST LANSING -- Michigan State didn't have to travel very far to assemble its 2018 recruiting class, and it didn't have to wait very long.

That's the result of an uptick in talent within the state of Michigan and a change in Tom Izzo's recruiting philosophy.

The Spartans received letters of intent on Wednesday from five class of 2018 prospects, on the first day of the early signing period for basketball players.

It marks both one of Izzo's largest signing classes, and his most homegrown in his two-plus decades as Michigan State's head coach.

Four members of the class hail from Michigan: forward Marcus Bingham (Grand Rapids Catholic), forward Gabe Brown (Belleville), forward Thomas Kithier (Clarkston) and point guard Foster Loyer (Clarkston).

The only player from out of state is Indiana forward Aaron Henry.

It wasn't long ago that Michigan State went consecutive recruiting classes with no in-state prospects, in 2013 and 2014. Now, Izzo has five scholarship players on his roster from within the state, with four more coming next year and several more targeted for the class of 2019.

Izzo said the talent level within the state has "definitely improved."

"My theory is I'm going to put a fence around this state," Izzo said. "That's very, very important. That hasn't changed since I got here. What's changed is the availability of those kind of players."

In Bingham, the Spartans have a 6-foot-10 player who shoots the ball as well as any forward who has come through the program and has guard skills, Izzo said. After only two years of varsity basketball and after growing eight inches in recent years, Izzo said he also brings significant upside.

"He's a guy that's just kind of in the making," Izzo said. "If you look at him on potential, you might say he's the best player."

Brown, a 6-foot-7 forward, also has significant upside due to a short basketball career and a knee injury that cost him his summer. Izzo said on Wednesday that Brown is fully cleared to play following that injury, and praised his versatility.

Henry, the last player to join the class this fall, stood out for a state title-winning team, Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, Izzo said, and also brings versatility at 6-foot-7.

Kithier, who has been committed to the Spartans for more than a year, also has shooting range for a 6-foot-8 player and is comparable to former Michigan State player Matt Costello, Izzo said.

Loyer, 6-foot, 165 pounds, is comparable to Scott Skiles, Drew Neitzel and Cassius Winston, Izzo said, and brings a strong shooting acumen.

"I think each one of them brings something different, and each one of them gives us something that I think will blend in with what we have," Izzo said.

The group is ranked No. 10 in the country in the 247sports composite, making it one of Izzo's higher-rated classes.

That ranking comes in part from the class' size and depth. Bingham and Brown are in the top 100 nationally, per 247sports, and all five are in the top 161.

There may not be a blue-chip recruit - none of the five are ranked in the top 50 - but Izzo said he's become more "picky" in recent years, looking for kids who truly want to join Michigan State.

"We had a couple of kids in this state that were dying to be here," Izzo said. "That's what happens when you grow up in a state and you've won. We get a few benefits from 20 straight years in the tournament. Most of these kids grew up with us, and that's helped us some."

Michigan State is now technically at 14 scholarships for 2018-19, one over the NCAA limit, but is all but certain to have one open in April when Miles Bridges declares for the NBA draft.

While an unexpected departure could lead to a late addition to this class, the group is likely complete for now. Unlike in previous years, the Spartans won't be waiting through the winter and spring for the drawn-out decision of a high-level recruit, as they've done multiple times in recent years.

Instead, Izzo is happy with his home-grown class that may have more modest rankings but he feels has plenty of potential.

"You don't win with rankings, you win with performance," Izzo said. "I think I had a year or two where I got caught up in the higher the recruiting class sometimes, and I've gotten lucky lately that there've been some high classes with some incredible kids."