Recruiting notes: Show-Me standouts Wesolak, Lang pick Mizzou

There wasn’t much drama in the Show-Me State on Wednesday for the first day of the early signing period for Missouri Class of 2022 football prospects, but there was one big decision to be announced. Boonville standout linebacker-defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="96233" first="DJ" last="Wesolak"]</strong>, the No. 3 prospect in the senior class in the preseason Missouri Prep Redzone rankings, was set to announce his destination on Wednesday afternoon from a group of finalists that included heavyweight programs Alabama, USC, LSU, Georgia, Oregon, North Carolina, Penn State and Missouri. Wesolak, who had just taken an official visit to LSU a few days earlier to meet new head coach Brian Kelly, announced he was staying home to play for the Missouri Tigers. "I probably almost committed to so many schools outside of state multiple times during this process," Wesolak told reporters. "You get pressured, but you don’t want to fall to the pressure. ... Mizzou believed in me during everything. They trusted my story. Mizzou always had my back." Wesolak added to a recruiting haul for the Tigers that ranks as one of the top 15 in college football and is looking to make some noise in Columbia. <strong>TROY BUCHANAN’S LANG MAKES EARLY PLEDGE</strong> Mizzou kept its recruiting momentum rolling on Friday morning when Troy Buchanan junior standout edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37663" first="Jahkai" last="Lang"]</strong> made a verbal commitment to the Tigers during an announcement at his high school. "It’s home. It feels like home," Lang told Prep Redzone. "I’ve always wanted to play in the SEC — that’s always been my goal — so why not do it here?" Lang said he had been speaking with Tigers signees from the current recruiting class, like defensive tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37557" first="Marquis" last="Gracial"]</strong> of St. Charles and defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37522" first="Isaac" last="Thompson"]</strong> of St. Louis University High, and has developed good relationships with the coaching staff since he received his offer last summer. "Those guys, it made it easier for me for sure," he said. A 6-foot-3, 240-pound edge rusher, Lang was rated as the No. 10 prospect in Missouri in the Class of 2023 back in the preseason. He joins Francis Howell tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37661" first="Brett" last="Norfleet"]</strong>, the No. 6 prospect in the class, as the first two commitments for the Tigers in the 2023 class. "I think what sticks out to me is you see a lot of times when you have athletes that have that God-given ability and they kind of big-time people." Troy Buchanan coach Ryan Nesbitt said. "He’s always just been a great high school teammate. He’s been one of our best workers. He’s great in the classroom. He’s great in the weight room. So from that aspect, he handles his business. He’s incredibly professional and he’s mature well beyond his years. I think that kind of separates him. Obviously he’s athletic and talented and that’s a given if you’re getting those looks (from colleges)." Nesbitt said Lang was a two-way starter this season. He played as a stand-up edge rusher and a down defensive end along with seeing some time at nose tackle where he could use his physicality and strength inside. He also started at left tackle, where he was able to use his talents to help the Trojans’ explosive offense. "He’s incredibly explosive and athletic, so he does a good job for us there as well," the coach said. <strong>KC STANDOUTS ANNOUNCE DESTINATIONS</strong> Two of the top prospects in the Kansas City area made commitments earlier this week. On Monday, Lee’s Summit North defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103073" first="Dewuan" last="Mack"]</strong> committed to continue his football career at Northern Iowa. Mack originally committed to the old coaching staff at the University of Kansas, before announcing on October 18 that he was de-committing and re-opening up his recruitment. The next day, North Kansas City standout defensive tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37534" first="Domonique" last="Orange"]</strong>, who was rated as the No. 6 prospect in Missouri in the Class of 2022 in the preseason and received heavy recruiting interest from several of the top programs in college football, announced he would sign with Iowa State. Iowa State coach Matt Campbell signed four players from Missouri on Wednesday and they are all from the Kansas City area: Orange, Winnetonka wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="96167" first="Jason" last="Essex"]</strong>, Blue Springs defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="99750" first="Ikenna" last="Ezeogu"]</strong> and Blue Springs linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104345" first="Carson" last="Willich"]</strong>. <strong>MORE TROY BUCHANAN PROSPECTS TO WATCH</strong> Lang is the biggest prospect roaming the halls at Troy Buchanan, but he’s far from the only prospect. The Trojans were one of the best Class 6 teams in the state this fall, going 10-3 and advancing to the semifinals. We asked Coach Nesbitt about some of Troy’s other players to watch. <strong>WR [player_tooltip player_id="212002" first="Nathan" last="Ryan"] 2022</strong> "Incredible year from a production standpoint. To my knowledge, he led the state of Missouri in receiving yards and touchdowns. Certainly led the St. Louis metro area. An absolutely incredible year. What makes him so gifted on the vertical balls is you see that basketball background come out. He’s led us in rebounding the last two years, so his ability to create separation and then catch the ball in a variety of ways just makes him different. He can run. He’s faster than you think. And he’s a big, strong kid. He’s a great talent. From a recruiting standpoint, I think a lot of kids, a lot of 22s, with the transfer portal and the COVID year, there’s probably a lot of years this guy would be looking at the FCS or maybe even a group of five, but right now he’s got a bunch of D-II’s that are chomping at the bit to get after him. He’s going to have an opportunity to play college football and do it at a high level." <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="37718" first="Charos" last="Sutton"] 2023</strong> "He’s got great arm talent. Obviously he can run. He’s put his time in in the weight room, so he’s strong and explosive. He led us in rushing at just under 1,100 yards rushing with 18 or 19 touchdowns. He threw for just under 2,400 yards and 24 touchdowns, so 3,400 yards combined and 42 touchdowns. He had a monster year. He’s a great kid. Competitive. Tough. He’s what you want at that position. Just as easily could go play defense at the next level." <strong>S [player_tooltip player_id="103392" first="Nick" last="Bova"] 2023</strong> "Explosive kid. He’s been a three-year, two-way starter. ... I think he’s an FCS-caliber defensive back, safety, at the next level. ... He’s 5-11, but about 185. He’s probably going to come in to us next year at 205 or 210 and still be running in the low 11 seconds for the 100 meters. He’s a track kid as well." &nbsp;