EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State's latest recruiting class shows a renewed emphasis on recruiting in Detroit and elsewhere in-state.

The Spartans signed a recruiting class of 21 players Wednesday, 13 from Michigan. The second recruiting class for coach Mark Dantonio doesn't rival Michigan or Ohio State's, but it's a respectable class that major analysts say could wind up in the nation's top 50.

The new class seeks to boost an improving program that went 7-6 and lost in the Champ Sports Bowl to Boston College in Dantonio's first season.

Dantonio's top recruit may be Fred Smith, a wide receiver from Detroit Southeastern High School who chose the Spartans from a wide variety of offers.

"He's a young man who could have went anywhere in this country," Dantonio said.

Michigan State also signed defensive back Charles Burrell of Detroit Southeastern and running back Glenn Winston of Detroit Denby.

That's more Motor City presence than the Spartans have had in some recent years. Former Michigan State coach John L. Smith sometimes was criticized for not recruiting heavily in the state's largest city.

The Spartans are pitching improved facilities to prospective recruits. The university is in the midst of an update to the Duffy Daugherty Football Building.

"We are very excited about this class," Dantonio said. "We've addressed a number of needs."

Asked to grade the class, Dantonio said he would give it a B or a B-minus.

The class includes four recruits who could play linebacker, four defensive backs and four offensive linemen.

Tyler Hoover, a defensive end from Novi, already is enrolled at Michigan State. The Spartans also are excited about Keshawn Martin of John Glenn High in Inkster, who could play a variety of skill positions on either offense or defense.

Dantonio is from Ohio, serving as an assistant at Ohio State and head coach at Cincinnati. His roots show, with six of the newest Spartans coming from the Buckeye State.

Rivals.com ranked Michigan State's recruiting class at 47th nationally and seventh in the Big Ten midway through signing day.

Scout.com ranked the Spartans' 57th overall and ninth in the conference.