In-state DT picks Mizzou

It's a bull market for in-state recruiting in the 2012 class, and the Missouri Tigers aren't passing up the opportunity to keep the top Show-Me State stars within its borders. On Sunday, Missouri received the verbal commitment of St. Louis (MO) Ritenour defensive tackle Edmund Ray. Just before August, the Tigers have five of the state's top-nine players on their commitment list.

"Honestly, I'd been thinking about going to Mizzou for a while now," Ray said. "It's a good program, and I decided I was ready to commit to Mizzou."

Ray called Missouri's coaching staff on Sunday to inform them of his decision.

"They were pretty excited," Ray said.

At 6-foot-5, 290-pounds, Ray is one of the most imposing defenders in the state of Missouri. He is recruited as a defensive tackle, but said the coaching staff hasn't informed him of what his role on the defense will be. For now, he said he's focused on the future and working for a starting position when he arrives in Columbia next summer.

Ray also said, while he isn't friends with all the top in-state recruits, he is good friends with a few.

"I'm friends with Durron Neal and Brandon Sheperd," Ray said. "I hope we can all get some friendly competition in college."

Ray becomes Missouri's 16th-known commitment for the 2012 class. A 5.6 three-star recruit, according to Rivals.com, Ray is the Tigers third defensive tackle recruit this year. He picked Missouri over offers from Kansas, Kansas State, Illinois and Indiana. He also said Southern Cal began to show interest over the past few weeks.