Mark Dantonio and his Michigan State football coaching staff have spent the bulk of the last few weeks on the road recruiting.

Not just working to land new players while also preparing for a bowl game. Also revisiting the Spartans’ other commitments to ensure they plan to sign later this month.

It is the second year of an early college football signing period, a three-day window from Dec. 19-21 in which players can submit their letters of intent and coaches can get a better idea of what other additions they may need before February’s traditional signing day.

“It puts an emphasis on this time of year that's for sure, there's no question about that,” Dantonio said on a teleconference Thursday from San Francisco. “It was very smooth for us last year, and I expect the same to be true this year.”

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Last year, in the debut of the early period, the Spartans signed 20 players. They added just one, wide receiver Jalen Nailor, on traditional signing day.

Dantonio and his staff currently have 18 commitments for 2019, including 5-star offensive tackle Devontae Dobbs and 4-star cornerback Julian Barnett, both from Belleville.

In late November after MSU's regular season ended, assistant coach Mark Staten went to the homes of offensive linemen Damon Kaylor and Nick Samac, wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel visited Jase Bowen in Toledo and Don Treadwell met with linebacker Luke Fulton. Dantonio and Brad Salem went to Walled Lake Western to check in on Spencer Brown earlier this week, among other staff visits.

Barnett said on Twitter that he plans to make an official visit to campus this weekend as the Spartans work on other targets as well.

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“Recruiting has become very accelerated, so most of our players have been committed for a very long time,” Dantonio said. “I expect for all of them to sign on the 19th. It's been a good thing for us and allows them to move on to the next phase of their life.”

Those who decide to enroll early to participate in spring practice would begin classes at MSU on Jan. 7. The regular signing period begins Feb. 6, 2019.

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari. Download our Spartans Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!