Let’s talk about next year

Reibar

Redshirt
Feb 7, 2026
2
5
0
I think Iowa is better off in some ways than people think. With the right coaching, I think we’ve got some guys that can make some noise. Block, Arnold, Kueter, DeLuca all are pieces that can be built around, if they can make a jump. Unfortunately, I don’t see any of them making that jump with the situation as is
Brock if he is given the right development, Arnold is not the same wrestler and has AA potential yet to be realized, Kueter may have seen his best finish as Big 10 Competition seems to caught up to him, Deluca we do not know what we have except a damaged 125 yet to wrestle a college match. So if this is better off welcome to mediocre … we can wrestle Wisconsin & Michigan for 4th place in the big 10.
 

MVPFAN

Senior
Mar 10, 2003
3,228
664
113
I think we can all agree this year has been ugly. Ugliest season in a long time. It’s February and this season isn’t quite over yet, but let’s start talking about next year.

Is next year rock bottom for the program?

133 and 165: Black holes heading to 2026.
141 and 157: Holes. Not looking good.
149 and 285: Meh. Potential, could say lots, but mediocre results.
125 and 197: TBD. Not enough sample size.
174 and 184: Sure fire AAs and potential finalist/champs.

As the roster stands right now and what we’ve seen, there’s only two guys I feel confident in heading to into next year. This squad will need some serious development. They’ll also need to hit the portal hard at 2-4 weights. 133 and 165 specifically.

I’m on the record that the Brands need to go. It’s getting increasingly hard to get excited about the future of the program and where it’s headed.
Who's the potential finalist at 174?
 

Mattski

All-Conference
Apr 21, 2022
873
2,163
93
Why do you say that?
Neither are meeting their expectations. Our 84 has been noticeably absent since he was injured in a match where he was frankly tactically overmatched. Gabe has been off the team once already, hasn't developed any offense, and has spent 3 years wrestling multiple weights largely as a sacrificial lamb against top guys.
I hope like hell they stay no matter what but my gut says otherwise.
 

Hawx224

All-Conference
Jun 30, 2025
294
1,179
93
Brock if he is given the right development, Arnold is not the same wrestler and has AA potential yet to be realized, Kueter may have seen his best finish as Big 10 Competition seems to caught up to him, Deluca we do not know what we have except a damaged 125 yet to wrestle a college match. So if this is better off welcome to mediocre … we can wrestle Wisconsin & Michigan for 4th place in the big 10.
I still think the potential is there. If Kueter had spent the last two years in the PSU room my guess is he’d look like a much different wrestler. Same with the others.
 

Libertylover

All-Conference
Dec 17, 2020
769
1,280
93
125 - Leo Deluca rFr.
133 - Bailey or Petersen or transfer
141 - Bailey or Petersen or Transfer
149 - Ryder Block Jr.
157 - Miguel Estrada So. / Jordan Williams Sr.
165 - CJ Torres Fr. / Transfer
174 - Gabe Arnold Jr.
184 - Angelo Ferrari So.
197 - Harvey Ludington rFr.
HWT - Ben Kueter Jr. / Michael Mocco TFr.

In the Summer Mocco took Cole M down 3 times in freestyle and loss due to step outs… maybe Mocco can immediately contend for the spot when he steps on campus.

Kueter is obviously hurt or just something is wrong between the ears. He is one of the most athletic HWT wrestlers, he could win it all with his abilities…

Going to miss Caliendo, PK, and Ayala. Will be major losses, only Gabe will fill one of those voids.

This is why recruiting HAS to continue to be priority, because we need solutions for 3-4 years, rather than for a year or 2…

Thankfully some of the field will also graduate in some classes but still, just a little nervous…
Mocco’s problem will be size and power. He could really use a redshirt year to physically develop. Ben said he’s going back to football as soon as the wrestling season is over. With only 2 years to develop as a football player, he will have to 130% football from here on out, and just jump in to wrestling at the end of the season, beat up from football, not in wrestling shape and rusty. After this upcoming football season, he will have to decide which sport to concentrate on. If it’s football, don’t even come back to wrestling for the last month. Prepare for your final season of football. If it’s wrestling, do what you can with a very short junior season, and spend all the offseason wrestling.
 

Libertylover

All-Conference
Dec 17, 2020
769
1,280
93
I can’t see them transferring out, unless TnT get fired… if we can’t perform in march I don’t know what the offseason will look like… I get that a large amount of the fan base are wanting TnT gone; but it will only depend the wound. I would see a lot of guys leaving and a lot of decomitts. We need to perform in march and pull a rabbit out of the hat like Nebraska did last year..

It would be a major loss to lose any talent from the incoming classes. We finally got good classes coming through 2027/2028.
Agree, we could end up like Iowa State football. Whoever they hire better be a big splash and great recruiter to keep the best guys from leaving or decommitting. Will be interesting to see if Tom can add 2-3 more top 2028 commits. You need at least 2 back to back strong classes to make a comeback, and really need to land a few top guys a needed weights in 29 also.
 

Libertylover

All-Conference
Dec 17, 2020
769
1,280
93
It’s crazy (and painful) to think about how the outlook for the program really changed when Basset decided not to come.
Ya, that 2026 class falling apart will haunt us for years. We had Bo, Melvin could have reclassified to be our 165 next year, and if we could have held onto Raneys, all this doom and gloom would be replaced with” just wait for the next 2 years
 

UNIHawk

Senior
May 2, 2025
248
673
93
Ya, that 2026 class falling apart will haunt us for years. We had Bo, Melvin could have reclassified to be our 165 next year, and if we could have held onto Raneys, all this doom and gloom would be replaced with” just wait for the next 2 years
100%, knew it at the time; Iowa HAD TO nail that class. The talent, timeline, and weight classes were the perfect match. Honestly all of them could have went w/o a RS next year, including Melvin with a reclass.
 

dicemen99

All-Conference
Nov 15, 2005
3,386
4,303
113
I will start out by saying this season is not over and we will have a fairly good ending. Im sure it will be less then satisfactory for most, but better the then we would expect given the season results so far.
SPOILER ALERT - You just stole MSU158s end of season bail out post. Prepare for an incoming DM asking you to delete it so he can bait a few in fresh.
 

UNIHawk

Senior
May 2, 2025
248
673
93
Mocco’s problem will be size and power. He could really use a redshirt year to physically develop. Ben said he’s going back to football as soon as the wrestling season is over. With only 2 years to develop as a football player, he will have to 130% football from here on out, and just jump in to wrestling at the end of the season, beat up from football, not in wrestling shape and rusty. After this upcoming football season, he will have to decide which sport to concentrate on. If it’s football, don’t even come back to wrestling for the last month. Prepare for your final season of football. If it’s wrestling, do what you can with a very short junior season, and spend all the offseason wrestling.
Honest question, if Kueter decides to play FB next year, do you look to bring in a transfer @ 285 if a decent one hits the portal? Honestly Kueter isn't all that impressive as a full time wrestler. Waste several months of getting beat up in FB, not being as well conditioned for wrestling, and then getting a late start on the wrestling season, likely sometime in January, doesn't bode well for success.
 

lisa morales

Junior
Jul 7, 2016
130
236
43
Honest question, if Kueter decides to play FB next year, do you look to bring in a transfer @ 285 if a decent one hits the portal? Honestly Kueter isn't all that impressive as a full time wrestler. Waste several months of getting beat up in FB, not being as well conditioned for wrestling, and then getting a late start on the wrestling season, likely sometime in January, doesn't bode well for success.
Let's get real Kueter isn't playing football. He's a marginal football talent at best.
 

el dub

All-Conference
Nov 2, 2005
535
1,382
93
Mocco’s problem will be size and power. He could really use a redshirt year to physically develop. Ben said he’s going back to football as soon as the wrestling season is over. With only 2 years to develop as a football player, he will have to 130% football from here on out, and just jump in to wrestling at the end of the season, beat up from football, not in wrestling shape and rusty. After this upcoming football season, he will have to decide which sport to concentrate on. If it’s football, don’t even come back to wrestling for the last month. Prepare for your final season of football. If it’s wrestling, do what you can with a very short junior season, and spend all the offseason wrestling.
I’m pretty ambivalent on his choices at this point. Football might be his best option, imo.
 

dt21

Junior
Jun 5, 2025
141
340
63
I hope Angelo's left knee is fine. Really weird tweak given the family's apparent emphasis on flexibility.

I also hope trolls don't come out of the woodwork with cortisone shot comments. It would be great if they showed a little restraint. True sports fans should hate all injuries.

Of course he was. You think a guy with his resume showed up to wrestle for free?

Iowa recruited him directly off the OK roster with $$$.
wym-duh
 

Putarideon

Junior
Jan 4, 2005
147
303
63
Let's get real Kueter isn't playing football. He's a marginal football talent at best.
Exactly, we have the best young group of linebackers we have had in a while. Kueter will not sniff the field in football. It;s wrestling or nothing for him. Good luck Ben. I actually think he'll be fine once he starts shooting again.
 

AndreTheHawk

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
863
1,673
93
Neither are meeting their expectations. Our 84 has been noticeably absent since he was injured in a match where he was frankly tactically overmatched. Gabe has been off the team once already, hasn't developed any offense, and has spent 3 years wrestling multiple weights largely as a sacrificial lamb against top guys.
I hope like hell they stay no matter what but my gut says otherwise.
Take some Tums.
 
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giveitall

Junior
Feb 12, 2023
167
351
63
First, thank you to everyone thinking about me. Second, I will not disappoint you I never back down from a good scrap. I could be referring more towards battles with big fish these day, but Im sticking with it anyways.

I will start out by saying this season is not over and we will have a fairly good ending. Im sure it will be less then satisfactory for most, but better the then we would expect given the season results so far.

Fish have many layers, there are scales, skin, guts and bones. Once you get around and through all that you have this outstanding meat that can be utilized in so many ways. There is fried fish, baked fish, sautéed fish, blackened fish, poached fish, steamed fish, fish sandwiches, fish soup well you get the point.

A wrestling season has many layers also, so let me finish by saying next season will have layers and after this season ends we will begin to witness the layers start for the next upcoming season. So stick that in you pipe and smoke it.
You are an idiot
 

Anon1750875978

All-American
Dec 26, 2018
5,841
9,983
113
Honest question, if Kueter decides to play FB next year, do you look to bring in a transfer @ 285 if a decent one hits the portal? Honestly Kueter isn't all that impressive as a full time wrestler. Waste several months of getting beat up in FB, not being as well conditioned for wrestling, and then getting a late start on the wrestling season, likely sometime in January, doesn't bode well for success.
^^^^
And I have serious doubts Keuter does jack shiit in football.
Too slow at linebacker and not big enough for Dline.

$$$ changes people's desire and motivation.
BK doesn't give me the impression that he GAF.
If he truly did get the rumored $500k, that might be the biggest waste of $$$ in the brief history of NIL.
 
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TheREALSpooner

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2022
573
1,796
93
Agree, we could end up like Iowa State football. Whoever they hire better be a big splash and great recruiter to keep the best guys from leaving or decommitting. Will be interesting to see if Tom can add 2-3 more top 2028 commits. You need at least 2 back to back strong classes to make a comeback, and really need to land a few top guys a needed weights in 29 also.

There’s really nothing interesting about that.

And I’m sure guys are going to be lining up to not develop for a coach in his mid 60s.
 
Feb 25, 2008
30,176
27,706
113
I think we can all agree this year has been ugly. Ugliest season in a long time. It’s February and this season isn’t quite over yet, but let’s start talking about next year.

Is next year rock bottom for the program?

133 and 165: Black holes heading to 2026.
141 and 157: Holes. Not looking good.
149 and 285: Meh. Potential, could say lots, but mediocre results.
125 and 197: TBD. Not enough sample size.
174 and 184: Sure fire AAs and potential finalist/champs.

As the roster stands right now and what we’ve seen, there’s only two guys I feel confident in heading to into next year. This squad will need some serious development. They’ll also need to hit the portal hard at 2-4 weights. 133 and 165 specifically.

I’m on the record that the Brands need to go. It’s getting increasingly hard to get excited about the future of the program and where it’s headed.
What next year?

We're folding the program after this season to save money and scholarships, and for NIL for the rest of the remaining sports at Iowa.

If that's the only way to get rid of the Brands Brothers, then that's what they're gonna do.
 

BringBackBradBanks

All-Conference
Jul 19, 2022
574
1,236
93
As bad as this year has been, I bet we still have 5 AAs
I’d set the over/under at 3 All Americans for Iowa. The only sure fire All American is Mikey C. Angelo is an All American if he’s healthy, but don’t know if he is. Hard to imagine that a two time finalist is a question mark to All American but it’s where we are. PK wrestles a lot of close matches. Everyone else is below 50/50 to make the podium.
 

Misalorales

All-Conference
Jun 3, 2025
778
2,239
93
I mean… that’s fair but if we carry that mindset, then we should’ve seen a BUNCH of transfers from other programs aswell. Ohio st. has been gathering the top 1-3 recruiting classes within the last years and they’ve just started looking good. Bouzakis, Paddy Gallhager, Nick Feldman, Vinny K., Luke Geog, Roman R., Kharchala, and Seth Schumate were highly anticipated recruits and just now started to make some noise… and some on that list still haven’t made noise. Why haven’t they transferred out? Bouzakis was a top 3 recruit and didn’t AA 2 years in a row.. why didn’t he transfer out? There were obviously no improvement within the first 3 years for his collegiate career. And there’s many other schools where they haven’t performed to their ability nor their student athletes improved within their tenure at their universities.

I get it, we are fans and carry a high standard for Iowa; but some things are larger than wrestling. Some will not transfer out due to loyalty to staff and believing in their leaderships process to steer them in the right direction (on and off the mat).
I understand the general point you're making but using Ohio state is a little tough. They lost their 2nd best wrestler to the transfer portal and Penn state.
 

Misalorales

All-Conference
Jun 3, 2025
778
2,239
93
Estrada. Ummmm…yay I guess?

So we might, maybe be good again in 3-4 years? When our coach is in his 60s? And what makes anyone think we are going to suddenly start developing guys again?
Maybe I'm crazy, but I think estrada is pretty darn good. Maybe not historic Iowa good but I think he could be a surprise bright spot next year if he goes.
 

Misalorales

All-Conference
Jun 3, 2025
778
2,239
93
Since what could have been with the 2026 class is being discussed: Does anyone know what ever happened to Nate Jesuroga? Did he make it through Seal training? Hope he did. Thought he'd be special.
 

Hawx224

All-Conference
Jun 30, 2025
294
1,179
93
Since what could have been with the 2026 class is being discussed: Does anyone know what ever happened to Nate Jesuroga? Did he make it through Seal training? Hope he did. Thought he'd be special.
Somewhere on a podcast a while ago I believe he admitted that he quit on the first day.
 

Hawx224

All-Conference
Jun 30, 2025
294
1,179
93
Wasn’t he saying he was going to wrestle again somewhere? But up at like 149-157?
Yep, think he said something about wrestling at the Naval Academy without seeming to understand how difficult getting in would be. Seemed a little lost to me. Not sure what his college options are with his Navy commitment but hope it all works out for him.
 

STtiger2025

Junior
Oct 20, 2015
98
298
53
I still think the potential is there. If Kueter had spent the last two years in the PSU room my guess is he’d look like a much different wrestler. Same with the others.
Well of course he would have!! If he wasn’t injured and continued wrestling like he is he would’ve been recruited over long ago. And that’s not a knock on psu but just good coaching as much as it pains me to say that. This “we like our guys “ mentality is getting very old as far as wrestlers and assistants goes!!
 
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Misalorales

All-Conference
Jun 3, 2025
778
2,239
93
Yep, think he said something about wrestling at the Naval Academy without seeming to understand how difficult getting in would be. Seemed a little lost to me. Not sure what his college options are with his Navy commitment but hope it all works out for him.
Idk if the program still exists but there is a streamlined process for young first term enlisted members to go to their respective branches academy and commission. One of my closest friends did this and left us grubby crew chiefs behind to become an officer. With his athletic prowess, if he had good reviews and cleared a few hurdles he could definitely go. My buddy had to spend a year at the academy but it was a gap year of sorts, can't remember what it was called now, where they prepped for a year to enter the academy and then his four years began.
 
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Frydaze

Heisman
Nov 25, 2001
34,234
33,312
113
I think we can all agree this year has been ugly. Ugliest season in a long time. It’s February and this season isn’t quite over yet, but let’s start talking about next year.

Is next year rock bottom for the program?

133 and 165: Black holes heading to 2026.
141 and 157: Holes. Not looking good.
149 and 285: Meh. Potential, could say lots, but mediocre results.
125 and 197: TBD. Not enough sample size.
174 and 184: Sure fire AAs and potential finalist/champs.

As the roster stands right now and what we’ve seen, there’s only two guys I feel confident in heading to into next year. This squad will need some serious development. They’ll also need to hit the portal hard at 2-4 weights. 133 and 165 specifically.

I’m on the record that the Brands need to go. It’s getting increasingly hard to get excited about the future of the program and where it’s headed.
Clearly there will be many portal additions to have to plug into the starting lineup.

Question is: How good/impactful will they be?

Another question: are we convinced Ferrari returns?

So I’d agree with others that day next season has the makings to be “potentially” the poorest season Iowa wrestling has seen ever. 100% the key is Brands’ ability to sign at least 3 portal guys who will be outstanding. I’m not confident about that.
 

Hawx224

All-Conference
Jun 30, 2025
294
1,179
93
Clearly there will be many portal additions to have to plug into the starting lineup.

Question is: How good/impactful will they be?

Another question: are we convinced Ferrari returns?

So I’d agree with others that day next season has the makings to be “potentially” the poorest season Iowa wrestling has seen ever. 100% the key is Brands’ ability to sign at least 3 portal guys who will be outstanding. I’m not confident about that.
Where did the question of Ferrari leaving come from? Multiple posters have alluded to it but I’ve heard/seen nothing on it at all