One of the recent offers sent out by Clemson went to DE DJ Wesolak (6-6 230) of Boonville, MO. Clemson defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall made the first contact with Wesolak in January. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables also has been communicating with him, and last weekend he got the offer from the Tigers.
“On the field, they like that I’m athletic and violent with my hands,” Wesolak said.” “I have a lot of athleticism and can run down the field and cover and get to the quarterback. They love that about me, but they know it’s just a start for me. I’ve only played defensive end for a year, so to see myself blow up within a year is kind of crazy. That’s just a start for me and they know it’s just a start of what they can coach me to become.”
And what that could become is something along the lines of former All-American linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons.
“He was a pass rusher and linebacker, but he could do it all,” Wesolak said. “He could cover downfield, get to the quarterback, and make tackles, and they kind of see the same for me. I’m long, athletic, and versatile. I can run downfield and cover and make open field tackles, and they see me playing all around and contributing in every piece of the game. Honestly, I feel comfortable anywhere. My strengths are just being an athlete. Being an athlete takes you so far, and being coached up by coaches like them will get you to the next level.”
While the Tigers have been doing their homework on Wesolak, he’s been doing his homework on them. Of course, it’s easy to see what the team has done on the field in recent years. That’s important, but Wesolak also wants to know more about the inner workings of the program.
“One thing that stood out to me was the PAW program and how they use that to help players get ready for life after football,” he said. “That was really cool and shows what their team and their culture is all about. They give back to the community. All of their players, from the kicker to the star quarterback, they’re all doing charity and all hanging out. They spend the holidays together as a team, and it’s just amazing to see. Coach Hall said they are number one in most players played in games, and to be that good for that long and get experience for freshmen and seniors is just amazing for a program.”
Clemson, Notre Dame, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Arizona State, and Alabama have been the schools that are staying in frequent contact with him at this point. What is Wesolak looking for in a school to know where he will fit the best?
“The perfect thing for me is number one having that education and having the best of both worlds,” he said. “And number two, being accepted at that school and day one being able to compete for a spot and not getting lost and be the freshman that is just there until they need you. And three, just having coaches and mentors there that are going to help you be successful on and off the field and able to help you in life.”
Wesolak has virtual visits scheduled with Clemson and other schools after his high school basketball season comes to an end. He does not have a commitment timeline in mind, but could potentially release a list of top schools after basketball season when he has a chance to focus more on his recruitment.
Over the last two seasons Wesolak totaled 119 tackles and 17 sacks. He’s rated a three-star and ranked the #21 weakside defensive end nationally in the 2022 class in the 247Sports Composite.
