Looking like it'll be another #1 class for 2025 and getting Merrill makes the 2024 class great.
CWC is doing a great job building relationships in state with youth wrestlers. Zo is establishing himself as one of the premier youth coaches in the country. Perry and Caldwell hit the pavement hard and kids love them and want to wrestle for them.
If the program can turn around this streak of bad luck we've hit the last few years then things will be cooking. The recruiting, club, and money are there. Facilities are almost ready. Plus there's a clear willingness to go into the portal and pull guys when needed.
As long as the NCAA doesn't nuke non-revenue men's sports, OSU will be competitive soon. I think 2025 has a ton of potential. Hell I think this team could be special but there's a lot up in the air with Spratley, Jamison, and Williams. If two of those guys plus Surber can make the podium with Plott, Daton, and Olejnik then it's a trophy team. The three young guys need to make big jumps and everybody needs to stay healthy. Penn State is cooking and overcoming that will be very difficult. But if it was easy everybody would do it.
I don't post here often but work has slowed down for Christmas.
Appreciate the insight Lee and all you do for the program, and glad to see you in here!
If I'm not mistaken, isn't Zo pretty close with Jax Forrest? Would love to see Jax come to OSU, with Lilledahl going to Penn State and already stacked room/recruiting classes coming for them, don't see him going there. I like our chances against the rest of the pack. Glad to hear Zo's kicking butt for us! Along with Perry and Caldwell, you'd have to think Coleman helps a lot with recruiting, he was bringing in some good recruits to NC.
Agree on bad luck, progress with club, portal willingness. We had a very good year with Transfer Portal, love to see it and John's comments about "waking up", maybe woke up a sleeping giant!
Also agree that Matscouts is the clear #1 in HS rankings, Willie & Co's track record is impressive, their HS coverage in general is second to none IMO. Appreciate you always keeping/updating a running list for us!
Hope Blair is right once again, Veazy would be an awesome pick up! As others have mentioned love not only his wrestling but his name, would be sick to yell that out at GIA!