EAST LANSING, Mich—Michigan State football got a surprise the evening before Early National Signing Day, landing a commitment from three-star safety Malcolm Jones. He becomes the 20th member of head coach Mel Tucker’s 2022 recruiting class and the third safety of the class, joining previous commits Malik Spencer as well as high school teammate Quavian Carter. 

Enough said.👇🏽🤐@Coach_mtucker @MSU_Football @rockerlee229 #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/Yk9Rv4Fc9o

— Malcolm Jones (@mapp_302) December 15, 2021

Jones was originally committed to Virginia Tech before announcing his decommitment from the Hokies on Dec. 13. He received an offer from defensive backs coach Harlon Barnett two days prior on Dec. 11. 

Jones previously held offers from Middle Tennessee State, Liberty, Kent  State and Western Kentucky before joining the Hokies on June 21.  Jones, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound safety from Leesburg, Georgia, is ranked as the No. 806 overall player and the No. 78 player in the state of Georgia, according to 247sports.com. 

Before playing at Lee County High School as a senior, Jones caught 32 passes for 620 yards and six touchdowns in eight games at Camilla Mitchell High, located in Mitchell County, Georgia. He also played safety and basketball at both Camilla Mitchell High and Lee County High. 

He becomes the fifth player Tucker has landed from Georgia, joining Carter, Spencer, tight end Jack Nickel and offensive lineman Kristian Phillips. 

Michigan State’s 2022 recruiting class is currently ranked No. 18 nationally and No. 4 in the Big Ten, according to 247Sports. Jones will sign his national letter of intent Wednesday, along with the rest of Tucker’s second recruiting class as head coach of the Spartans.