2026 Pre-Season Rankings

[Wrestleknownothing]

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.




Everyone's All-American

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

 

[OSUBigBadBob]

Ooof. Quite the difference from last years finish. However, we have lots of time to get better and prove ourselves.

 

[chasepollard]

Can you do last seasons pre-season ranking with the final results to see how accurate it was last year?

I’ll bet anyone $1k on the over of 3.5 AAs for this team.

 

[ionel]

I’ll bet anyone $1k on the over of 3.5 AAs for this team.

See we dont need to go to Vegas this year.

 

[Wrestleknownothing]

Can you do last seasons pre-season ranking with the final results to see how accurate it was last year?

I’ll bet anyone $1k on the over of 3.5 AAs for this team.

Based on pre-season rankings it was 4.1 last year.

During the season it got as high as 5.8 using Wrestlestat rankings, 5.6 using Flo, or Intermat.

By the time the seeds came out it was down to 4.7.

And of course, by the time the tournament ended it was 6.

 

[chasepollard]

See we dont need to go to Vegas this year.

Time will tell!

 

[OSUBigBadBob]

Can you do last seasons pre-season ranking with the final results to see how accurate it was last year?

I’ll bet anyone $1k on the over of 3.5 AAs for this team.

What’s your AA prediction, assuming no Jax?

 

[chasepollard]

What’s your AA prediction, assuming no Jax?

Well, 10…for now!

I reserve the right to amend that down to 6 as the season plays out.

The only reason we may not get 10 is fluke injuries or bad draws in Cleveland.

 

[newguy123]

Ooof. Quite the difference from last years finish. However, we have lots of time to get better and prove ourselves.

100%. Lots of new faces and weight changes this year in the lineup. Hard to rank those folks. They'll get up there.

 

[Howie_Fartz]

Add a healthy Tagen back in before March and of course you add Dee and we'll be fine. Also no one has a clue how much better KD is now. He's like hanging with Wyatt good.

 

[Wrestleknownothing]

We can flesh this out a bit better too.

Still based on pre-season rankings. Still room to grow.

 

[TheJimReaper]

Add a healthy Tagen back in before March and of course you add Dee and we'll be fine. Also no one has a clue how much better KD is now. He's like hanging with Wyatt good.

Has Wyatt helped him unlock his offense?

 

[SlickWillie18]

Has Wyatt helped him unlock his offense?

I would bet just rolling with Wyatt for over a year pushes a guy like that to jump levels. I could be wrong but my read on KD was never that he didn’t have offensive ability, it was that he didn’t trust it for whatever reason. If Wyatt and the staff have helped him realize that he can just let it rip, he’ll be good

 

[Travis25]

Add a healthy Tagen back in before March and of course you add Dee and we'll be fine. Also no one has a clue how much better KD is now. He's like hanging with Wyatt good.

We are going to comfortably outscore last year's team. At least one guy, and maybe several, are going to go off and dominate their way to a natty. I don't know who it is going to be, but it will happen. Mark it down!

 

[newguy123]

I would bet just rolling with Wyatt for over a year pushes a guy like that to jump levels. I could be wrong but my read on KD was never that he didn’t have offensive ability, it was that he didn’t trust it for whatever reason. If Wyatt and the staff have helped him realize that he can just let it rip, he’ll be good

KD looked jacked AF at the China freestyle dual too. I hope dude becomes a problem this year.

 

[Howie_Fartz]

KD looked jacked AF at the China freestyle dual too. I hope dude becomes a problem this year.

Looked even better at the golf tourney. The guy will absolutely make waves this year.

 

[chasepollard]

KD looked jacked AF at the China freestyle dual too. I hope dude becomes a problem this year.

He was a little in his feels being a backup to Wyatt last year and then turned the page.

Super committed to the process and we should get a treat. Turning the page will be a great read for us!

 

[OSUBigBadBob]

He was a little in his feels being a backup to Wyatt last year and then turned the page.

Super committed to the process and we should get a treat. Turning the page will be a great read for us!

Two coaches told me he'd be one that could really impress everyone this year. Another told me to keep an eye on Robideaux

 

[OSUBigBadBob]

Well, 10…for now!

I reserve the right to amend that down to 6 as the season plays out.

The only reason we may not get 10 is fluke injuries or bad draws in Cleveland.

Apparently, there's a 5.4% chance 6+ is correct, lol.

 

[chasepollard]

Two coaches told me he'd be one that could really impress everyone this year. Another told me to keep an eye on Robideaux

Heard the same!

 

[chasepollard]

Apparently, there's a 5.4% chance 6+ is correct, lol.

I’ll take a few bets that 6 is the o/u for AA’s this season.

My winnings will go to Cowboy Wrestling!

 

[Corby2]

Looked even better at the golf tourney. The guy will absolutely make waves this year.

Tried telling you guys last year Doucet would be fine at HWT many here wanted a portal HWT

 

[ionel]

I’ll take a few bets that 6 is the o/u for AA’s this season.

I'll take that bet and go with the O/U is not 6.

 

[chasepollard]

I'll take that bet and go with the O/U is not 6.

Okay, the bet is we have 6 OR more AAs at seasons end.

 

[ionel]

Okay, the bet is we have 6 OR more AAs at seasons end.

 

[Corby2]

View attachment 947478

Yep over or under would be 5 1/2. Chase is taking the over so would I. Spratley, Jamison , Swiderski, Lockett, Facundo and Ryder would be the 6 I have the most confidence in.

 

[ionel]

Yep over or under would be 5 1/2.

I was simply betting no one would set the o/u at 6. Seemed like a sure thing bet.

 

[chasepollard]

I’m clearly not saying this correctly.

I’m saying we have 6 AA at least. If it’s 5, I lose, if it’s 6, push, 7 I win.

 

[Corby2]

I’m clearly not saying this correctly.

I’m saying we have 6 AA at least. If it’s 5, I lose, if it’s 6, push, 7 I win.

Gotcha I was confused at what u were saying I got u now

 

[okokzach]

Tried telling you guys last year Doucet would be fine at HWT many here wanted a portal HWT

I only wanted a portal HWT so Dreshaun can RS next year. I still want that. Glad KD is our guy this season though

 

[chasepollard]

I only wanted a portal HWT so Dreshaun can RS next year. I still want that. Glad KD is our guy this season though

There’s more heavy’s to give him a RS if needed.

I doubt it’s needed.

 

[Travis25]

Yep over or under would be 5 1/2. Chase is taking the over so would I. Spratley, Jamison , Swiderski, Lockett, Facundo and Ryder would be the 6 I have the most confidence in.

If I was ranking them in order of most confident to least confident, I would probably go:

1. Spratley
2. Lockett
3. Swiderski
4. Ryder
5. Doucet
6. Merrill
7. Facundo
8. Whoever is at 141 (assuming Jamison)
9. Robideau (or Teague)
10. Whoever is at 133

That said, if you told me that Figs is going to win a natty, I could buy it.

 

[OSUBigBadBob]

Heard the same!

Well ya, you were sitting next to me lol

 

[OSUBigBadBob]

I’m clearly not saying this correctly.

I’m saying we have 6 AA at least. If it’s 5, I lose, if it’s 6, push, 7 I win.

Deal. a Hundo?

 

[chasepollard]

Deal. a Hundo?

Yes sir!

 

[newguy123]

Two coaches told me he'd be one that could really impress everyone this year. Another told me to keep an eye on Robideaux

You/we think Robideaux will start? What weight? Remember seeing a video where Dee was saying that Robideaux was keeping him in line with lifestyle choices lol. That's a great sign!

 

[TheJimReaper]

You/we think Robideaux will start? What weight? Remember seeing a video where Dee was saying that Robideaux was keeping him in line with lifestyle choices lol. That's a great sign!

He’s listed at 157 on the roster. Personally I kind hope Teague starts for his last year and Landon wrestles all his dates while keeping his redshirt.

 

[Howie_Fartz]

Tried telling you guys last year Doucet would be fine at HWT many here wanted a portal HWT

Most of that was knowing his past style and being recently spoiled by having Wyatt. I think most of us knew he had potential but there appears to have been a RADICAL change that 99% of fans weren’t expected but we should all be very excited about.

 

[OSUBigBadBob]

Tried telling you guys last year Doucet would be fine at HWT many here wanted a portal HWT

TBF He is a probable AA, and there wasnt really much available. IDK if they kicked the tires on Trumble but what the value of a few spots (maybe) up the charts? Cant say thats worth a big payday, when we have some big $ going to the incoming young uns. I sure do like Trumble tho. Hope KD makes me forget him.

 

[glorycowboy]

Reading all this is bringing me joy. The wrestlers I’m looking forward to the most are, 1. Robideau 2. Zack 3. Dee if he wrestles. I really wanted Doucet to get to where you guys think he is heading. So great news there.