Michigan State football lands Muskegon QB La'Darius Jefferson

With a number of Michigan State’s committed recruits on campus to watch the start of bowl practice, the Spartans added a 20th member to the class of 2018

La’Darius Jefferson, a 3-star athlete from Muskegon, announced his commitment to MSU via Twitter on Saturday. He decommitted from Central Florida last month.

“I am very very blessed and ready to begin my quest on this great journey at the next level,” Jefferson wrote in his announcement.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound quarterback Jefferson, who also had interest from Indiana and Mid-American Conference schools, led the Big Reds to the Division 3 state championship last month, rushing for 245 yards and four touchdowns on 32 carries in a 28-10 victory over Farmington Hills Harrison.

Jefferson threw for 1,163 yards and 20 touchdowns and ran for more than 2,000 more yards and 33 TDs this season to earn Mr. Football, the third straight to choose MSU (Donnie Corley in 2015 and Cody White in 2016). He is rated the 30th-best player in the state by 247Sports.com and 36th-ranked dual threat QB.

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This year is the first time college football recruits can sign early, with the three-day period beginning Dec. 20. Jefferson initially had planned to announce his commitment on Christmas Day, which would have been after the early signing period closed.

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari.