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2026 Pre-Season Rankings

W

Wrestleknownothing

All-Conference
Oct 30, 2021
1,485
3,973
113
Let's do a little something different this year.

With all three services reporting their pre-season rankings I thought I would take a look at expectations.

Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting

Get a little action in.

Let's start with expected finalists. The three services see lineups and weights a bit different at this early stage, but who cares. Let's make some reckless predictions.

These are all the teams that have at least a 50/50 shot at one finalist in at least one service.

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One thing to note is that Flo only ranks 8 Iowa wrestlers (no 149 or 197), and Wrestlestat only ranks 9 (no 197) at this point.

Everyone's All-American

Sticking with the same roster of teams, what does the prospect for All-Americans look like?

image.png.e85919cc32a47384b5b32e13c116922a.png
 
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Nashville_Hawk

Nashville_Hawk

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2015
604
1,593
93
Feels like PSU having 4 or less finalists and 8 or less AAs would be a huge win for the field. Sadly, I'm taking the over on both of those numbers. By the end of the year I'm seeing something like 5-6 finalists and 10 AAs. That said, after the 2026 NCAAs I think things will start getting real interesting between Okie State and Cael and company. DT's got a ton of talent coming into Stillwater going forward.
 
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PSU Mike

PSU Mike

All-American
Jul 28, 2001
4,021
6,991
113
Nashville_Hawk said:
Feels like PSU having 4 or less finalists and 8 or less AAs would be a huge win for the field. Sadly, I'm taking the over on both of those numbers. By the end of the year I'm seeing something like 5-6 finalists and 10 AAs. That said, after the 2026 NCAAs I think things will start getting real interesting between Okie State and Cael and company. DT's got a ton of talent coming into Stillwater going forward.
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On paper we should still be comfortably on top in 2027 - only Haines isnā€™t back. But stuff does happen.
 
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Nashville_Hawk

Nashville_Hawk

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2015
604
1,593
93
PSU Mike said:
On paper we should still be comfortably on top in 2027 - only Haines isnā€™t back. But stuff does happen.
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I concur at this point, but something tells me DT will be getting some quality transfers along with the top recruiting classes over the next few years. And despite what the current rankings look like I think Okie State will be in the fight for second or third come NCAAs.
 
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funnyfletcher

funnyfletcher

Senior
Jan 3, 2023
338
729
93
Wrestleknownothing said:
But it is early. Plenty of time to stack wins to improve seeds.

Endene is an unknown, so really hard to rank accurately, And there is no consensus on Peterson or Bailey. Wrestlestat has them much higher than either Intermat or Flo.

The glass is half full.
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Wrestlestat also has Connor Cumbee of Bellarmine beating Caliendo 14-8
 
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InTheCircle

InTheCircle

All-Conference
Apr 3, 2018
350
1,033
93
Peterson, Ayala, Cali, PK, Ferrari and Keuter should/can be semi finalists.

Bailey will need a good body of work to have a good seed at NCAAā€™s, same for Williams.

149 is a toss up, as the weight isnā€™t terribly deep in the Big Ten which may help. Anything can happen, however my expectations are low for an AA.

197 no clue, weā€™ll find out soon enough.
 
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H

HawkeyeInOlathe

Junior
Mar 9, 2013
166
266
63
Nashville_Hawk said:
I concur at this point, but something tells me DT will be getting some quality transfers along with the top recruiting classes over the next few years. And despite what the current rankings look like I think Okie State will be in the fight for second or third come NCAAs.
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THIS IS WHAT WE NEED. Taylor is perfect for helping us get back on top over peeSU helping filter down talent.
 
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H

Hawkeye89

Junior
Jun 29, 2025
54
233
33
InTheCircle said:
Peterson, Ayala, Cali, PK, Ferrari and Keuter should/can be semi finalists.

Bailey will need a good body of work to have a good seed at NCAAā€™s, same for Williams.

149 is a toss up, as the weight isnā€™t terribly deep in the Big Ten which may help. Anything can happen, however my expectations are low for an AA.

197 no clue, weā€™ll find out soon enough.
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Have high hopes for both guys. I think they both jump levels in the Iowa room. Excited to see what they can do and think their results could surprise some people, both being up weight should solve some of the gas tank issues, especially with Williams. With that being said, I agree that both need to put in a good seaon to get a good seed/draw come March. Both their weight classes are two of the tougher weights.
 
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HawkDay1

HawkDay1

All-American
May 16, 2009
3,566
9,479
113
InTheCircle said:
Peterson, Ayala, Cali, PK, Ferrari and Keuter should/can be semi finalists.

Bailey will need a good body of work to have a good seed at NCAAā€™s, same for Williams.

149 is a toss up, as the weight isnā€™t terribly deep in the Big Ten which may help. Anything can happen, however my expectations are low for an AA.

197 no clue, weā€™ll find out soon enough.
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Anyone know how 197 Endene is looking in the room?
 
TheREALSpooner

TheREALSpooner

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2022
594
1,843
93
Anon1751215858 said:
Have high hopes for both guys. I think they both jump levels in the Iowa room. Excited to see what they can do and think their results could surprise some people, both being up weight should solve some of the gas tank issues, especially with Williams. With that being said, I agree that both need to put in a good seaon to get a good seed/draw come March. Both their weight classes are two of the tougher weights.
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I think I believe the weight thing will help Bailey more. He's a big talent, finishing 4th at the NCAAs as a true freshman. Didn't look like the same guy last year; looked obvious to me he was struggling with his weight.
 
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M

maxpain

All-American
Jul 6, 2006
1,645
5,261
113
Libertylover said:
Heard heā€™s moving up a weight so him and Bassett can be a one two punch in the lineup. Still canā€™t believe Iā€™m saying that.
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I donā€™t think he will need to move up. BB seems like a 141 to me. Weā€™ll see though.
 
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Corby2

All-American
Jul 14, 2025
3,006
6,165
113
maxpain said:
I donā€™t think he will need to move up. BB seems like a 141 to me. Weā€™ll see though.
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Still not determined. Obviously Henson will be 65kg for 2028. Its not decided yet Bo could grow or 141Crook could have a great year and that could change things. What we do know is Bo and Henson will both be in the lineup next year.

Now will the Melvin reclassifying talks begin is the next question
 
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Libertylover

All-Conference
Dec 17, 2020
770
1,280
93
WDMHawk72 said:
Still not sold that Bassett will be at VT for the duration - if at
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But are you sold he and Melvin, and especially Dad, will swollow their pride enough to come back to Iowa. If not, do you think osu or PSU finally let they on the team, or are they destined to for Nebraska. If they liked Nebraska that much, they would have chose them over V tech. I suppose tOSU could be in play also.
 
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W

WDMHawk72

Junior
Aug 14, 2016
99
258
53
Libertylover said:
But are you sold he and Melvin, and especially Dad, will swollow their pride enough to come back to Iowa. If not, do you think osu or PSU finally let they on the team, or are they destined to for Nebraska. If they liked Nebraska that much, they would have chose them over V tech. I suppose tOSU could be in play also.
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Agree on the Nebraska part and not sure on Iowa. For all the hype that has led up to this moment I don't think VT was/is their "dream destination". It's like sloppy 2nds. After a year in Blacksburg and watching Jax wrestling in jam packed arenas may make them want to kiss and make up so to speak. Time (and $$) heal all wounds. Perhaps a little wishful thinking on my behalf but...
 
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L

Libertylover

All-Conference
Dec 17, 2020
770
1,280
93
WDMHawk72 said:
Agree on the Nebraska part and not sure on Iowa. For all the hype that has led up to this moment I don't think VT was/is their "dream destination". It's like sloppy 2nds. After a year in Blacksburg and watching Jax wrestling in jam packed arenas may make them want to kiss and make up so to speak. Time (and $$) heal all wounds. Perhaps a little wishful thinking on my behalf but...
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Osu should have jam packed arenas for every meet. I was surprised the attendance wasnā€™t better last year with all the hype around Taylor and the veteran team he had.
 
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V

VT-Spy

Redshirt
Sep 9, 2025
3
9
3
WDMHawk72 said:
Agree on the Nebraska part and not sure on Iowa. For all the hype that has led up to this moment I don't think VT was/is their "dream destination". It's like sloppy 2nds. After a year in Blacksburg and watching Jax wrestling in jam packed arenas may make them want to kiss and make up so to speak. Time (and $$) heal all wounds. Perhaps a little wishful thinking on my behalf but...
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Wishful thinking leads you to want them to another somewhere else besides Iowa? Man those sour grapes must be killing you! Given all the movement throughout the NCAA, sure they may end up elsewhere. But y'all are acting like Blacksburg is a **** hole where no one can develop and win. Bo is joining one of the best near his weight with Caleb Henson (5th, 1st, 2nd) and has coach Frayer, who was an olympian at Bo's weight. Miller will be stepping into a room with all that there, Andonian as a guy that will give him senior level support in an active style that matches his own, and a great group of young high talent near his weight. Not saying there aren't other great spots (why **** on others), but if that's y'all's approach to competition, recruits can smell the desperation on you too.
 
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Master Hawk74

Redshirt
Jul 3, 2025
7
17
3
VT-Spy said:
Wishful thinking leads you to want them to another somewhere else besides Iowa? Man those sour grapes must be killing you! Given all the movement throughout the NCAA, sure they may end up elsewhere. But y'all are acting like Blacksburg is a **** hole where no one can develop and win. Bo is joining one of the best near his weight with Caleb Henson (5th, 1st, 2nd) and has coach Frayer, who was an olympian at Bo's weight. Miller will be stepping into a room with all that there, Andonian as a guy that will give him senior level support in an active style that matches his own, and a great group of young high talent near his weight. Not saying there aren't other great spots (why **** on others), but if that's y'all's approach to competition, recruits can smell the desperation on you too.
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It's a couple posters on an Iowa site who are spit-balling and having speculative/wishful thinking discussions. It is in no way indicative of the Iowa fan base, nor does it affect you in any way. Don't be so sensitive or stay on your own fan site, if you have one.
 
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