Recruiting the state of Ohio was a priority for former Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio, and it appears Mel Tucker is following in his predecessor’s footsteps. At least a little bit.

Michigan State received a verbal commitment from three-star safety Michael Gravely Jr. on Thursday, becoming the 11th member of the Spartans’ 2021 class. The Cleveland native is the first prospect out of the state of Ohio to pledge to Tucker and company during this cycle.

Gravely tweeted out his commitment.

https://twitter.com/Ekimjr1/status/1258547853108015104?s=20

Gravely is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound defensive back who is ranked as the No. 39 player from Ohio and one of the top 75 safeties in his class. He chose Michigan State over offers from 11 other programs, including Cincinnati, Colorado, Pitt, Wake Forest and others, per 247Sports.

Michigan State has been loading up on defensive backs with this year’s recruiting class, as Gravely becomes the fourth secondary player to commit. The Spartans are up to 11 verbal pledges and rank 21st nationally and ninth in the B1G.