2026 Pre-Season Rankings

Howie_Fartz

All-Conference
Jan 29, 2024
748
2,646
93
There is a good chance Robideau seizes 157 and never looks back.
I could see it. I was told that out of all the incoming freshman he's the most ready. Only problem is 157 is LOADED for at least two more years. If he wins the spot and makes the podium with the amount of studs at the weight then it'll be super impressive and I think he can.

I'll sure be curious to see who gets the call against #Cardenas from Stanford in the first dual Nov 7th. This dual is actually going to be FIRE! They have several ranked guys and we need to pack the house!
 

TheJimReaper

All-Conference
Aug 23, 2018
2,073
3,168
68
I could see it. I was told that out of all the incoming freshman he's the most ready. Only problem is 157 is LOADED for at least two more years. If he wins the spot and makes the podium with the amount of studs at the weight then it'll be super impressive and I think he can.

I'll sure be curious to see who gets the call against #Cardenas from Stanford in the first dual Nov 7th. This dual is actually going to be FIRE! They have several ranked guys and we need to pack the house!
How would you rank the incoming freshman from most to least ready?
 

Air_Thurman

Heisman
Jan 16, 2003
32,315
31,251
63
And watch how he proves everyone wrong
I've always been down on him to an extent but even I wouldn't be shocked if he AA'd. My issues with KD have never been his W/L record ... its the fact he has had zero offense. If DT helped KD develop confidence in his offense, there definitely is a solid wrestler in there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: driad

JAY45

Heisman
Jul 19, 2002
17,160
12,717
112
Crazy to think that there's only 3 spots for Hughes Rin Ramirez Figgs McComas Vega Jamison Swid Young Travis Robideau Routledge
It was just a few short years ago, with only a handful of folks that where on this board regularly, were craving this exact situation with the understanding that it is far superior to the alternative.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Pokes79 and DPJ1

okokzach

All-Conference
Dec 18, 2024
506
1,405
93
Maybe ... and I don't want to overeact too much but the one chance we did get to see KD this year it was more of the same.
I only saw the highlights they posted but it appeared he was working to score even after he had the lead at least. He won 3-0 against an Olympian in a style he doesn't train, so you can't be mad at that. Habila wrestles at 97kg so maybe a bit undersized against KD.

I went through Habila's UWW page and the only wrestlers I found that have held him to 0 points in senior competition were Azarpira (Olympic bronze, World silver) and Tazhudinov (Olympic gold, World gold and bronze), both happening in 2023.

He has scored 5 against Tazhudinov, 5 against Snyder, and 2 against Ghasempour.

I agree with you though; I don't want to get my hopes too high. He has the tools, but a lack of offensive output is usually a mental thing. No matter how well KD's doing in the room, we won't know if he's changed until the matches count.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DPJ1

alephpoke

Junior
May 16, 2023
82
283
48
Most ready as freshman Robideau, Lockett, Vega and Ramirez
So what’s the word on how Vega is doing in the room against young, hughes, swiderski, etc? I haven’t heard much buzz about him compared to the other freshmen
 

TheJimReaper

All-Conference
Aug 23, 2018
2,073
3,168
68
So what’s the word on how Vega is doing in the room against young, hughes, swiderski, etc? I haven’t heard much buzz about him compared to the other freshmen
He must be doing decently well if they’re bringing to National Duals
 
  • Like
Reactions: Corby2

Air_Thurman

Heisman
Jan 16, 2003
32,315
31,251
63
I only saw the highlights they posted but it appeared he was working to score even after he had the lead at least. He won 3-0 against an Olympian in a style he doesn't train, so you can't be mad at that. Habila wrestles at 97kg so maybe a bit undersized against KD.

I went through Habila's UWW page and the only wrestlers I found that have held him to 0 points in senior competition were Azarpira (Olympic bronze, World silver) and Tazhudinov (Olympic gold, World gold and bronze), both happening in 2023.

He has scored 5 against Tazhudinov, 5 against Snyder, and 2 against Ghasempour.

I agree with you though; I don't want to get my hopes too high. He has the tools, but a lack of offensive output is usually a mental thing. No matter how well KD's doing in the room, we won't know if he's changed until the matches count.
The freestyle results are more recent and definitely encouraging. I was thinking more of the dual he wrestled against Air Force when Wyatt was out. It was the standard KD 2-1 win. Again one match so whatever.
 
  • Like
Reactions: okokzach

Howie_Fartz

All-Conference
Jan 29, 2024
748
2,646
93
The freestyle results are more recent and definitely encouraging. I was thinking more of the dual he wrestled against Air Force when Wyatt was out. It was the standard KD 2-1 win. Again one match so whatever.
Thats what I figured you were referring too. In his defense he was injured at that time to the point they were going to wrestle Simpson and KD said aint no Fn way.
 

Inky29

All-American
Jun 2, 2001
9,811
7,721
113
I love the optimism with KD and man if he had any offense to go with his D, skill on top and ability to escape it would be scary. He had two TD's in 23-24 in 32 matches. I think I'm going to make a 100 donation to NIL for every takedown he gets this year. Would be one of the coolest stories if he came out with his hair on fire and just not stop offense. Might cost me a bit of cash but it would be worth it.
 

chasepollard

Heisman
Nov 25, 2005
92,232
12,752
48
I love the optimism with KD and man if he had any offense to go with his D, skill on top and ability to escape it would be scary. He had two TD's in 23-24 in 32 matches. I think I'm going to make a 100 donation to NIL for every takedown he gets this year. Would be one of the coolest stories if he came out with his hair on fire and just not stop offense. Might cost me a bit of cash but it would be worth it.
Sent! Pm me for payment info!

I’ll match 10%
 

Howie_Fartz

All-Conference
Jan 29, 2024
748
2,646
93
I love the optimism with KD and man if he had any offense to go with his D, skill on top and ability to escape it would be scary. He had two TD's in 23-24 in 32 matches. I think I'm going to make a 100 donation to NIL for every takedown he gets this year. Would be one of the coolest stories if he came out with his hair on fire and just not stop offense. Might cost me a bit of cash but it would be worth it.
Love it. Dont take this wrong but I hope you have to take out a second mortgage :ROFLMAO: .
 

Corby2

All-Conference
Jul 14, 2025
644
1,320
93
If Jax was wrestling at 133 this year where would you guys have him in the rankings? I would put him #5. #1 Byrd #2 Crookham #3 Ayala #4 Blaze #5 Jax
 

newguy123

All-Conference
Feb 5, 2020
1,220
1,973
113
I love the optimism with KD and man if he had any offense to go with his D, skill on top and ability to escape it would be scary. He had two TD's in 23-24 in 32 matches. I think I'm going to make a 100 donation to NIL for every takedown he gets this year. Would be one of the coolest stories if he came out with his hair on fire and just not stop offense. Might cost me a bit of cash but it would be worth it.
For real? Two takedowns over 32 matches?
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheJimReaper

chasepollard

Heisman
Nov 25, 2005
92,232
12,752
48
I think that is probably an extremely fair ranking. That being said, I don't think there are 4 133 pounders in the U.S. who could beat Jax right now.
I don’t think it’s fair, but I don’t know what is.

He’s the best 33 in the country and 3rd in the World. That’s gotta be good KPI for ranking. I don’t put that much stock in FS versus Folk, but he has to be considered a contender.