Penn State and Michigan were the first Power Five schools to offer Tyrell Henry. Michigan State had to play catch-up after Mel Tucker was hired.

But catch up, Michigan State did.

Tucker and the Spartans eventually surpassed the Wolverines and Nittany Lions and finished it off by getting a verbal commitment today from Henry, a 6-foot wide receiver from Roseville (Mich.) High School.

Henry is also an intriguing defensive back prospect. But the Spartans pursued him primarily as a receiver.

Henry is a 5.6 three-star recruit, ranked the No. 17 player in Michigan by Rivals.com.

Henry committed to Michigan State via Twitter today, shortly after 5 p.m. Nebraska and West Virginia were also finalists, and were busier than Michigan and Penn State down the stretch. In the meantime, Tucker and the Spartans captured his heart and mind.

“Michigan State was always real with me through the whole process,” Henry said. “They kept up with me all the time. I’ve talked with almost every coach on the staff multiple times and had good conversations. They asked me things nobody else did, a lot of things a lot of other coached didn’t do.

“I feel like they care for the kids. The family atmosphere they showed was great, and what they’re doing with the program is even better.

“Obviously, it’s not far from me. That’s kind of convenient.

“I’ve been knowing where I want to go just from the simple facts that anything I asked was answered right away or already done.”

Michigan State’s offensive line coach and assistant head coach Chris Kapilovic was the first to extend MSU’s offer, last April. Tucker followed up right away, Henry said.

“(Tucker) said he likes my versatility, how I play everything,” Henry said. “They said they like everything about me; my toughness, athletic ability, hands, smarts. All of it.

“He (Tucker) said I can play whatever I wanted to. I told him wide receiver.”

Michigan leaned more toward him playing safety, Henry said.

As Henry’s recruiting process continued, Spartan wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins became a central figure.

“I talk to Coach Hawkins all the time,” Henry said. “That’s my guy!”

And now Henry is Michigan State’s guy.

Henry is the third high school junior to verbally commit to Michigan State’s 2022 recruiting class, joining Gavin Broscious, a three-star offensive lineman from Surprise, Ariz., and Kristian Phillips, a three-star offensive lineman from Conyers, Ga.

Henry visited the campuses of Mid-America Conference schools prior to the shutdown. He has yet to visit Michigan State, but plans to do so in the coming days.

“I’m going out to East Lansing with family this week, to walk around,” he said.

He’ll be doing it as a newly-minted Spartan verbal commitment.