ONO

[Corby2]

Honestly I'm pretty warmed up to the idea of Desmond going 133 ... is there any reason we should think he can't be 4-6 range?

I think he can

 

[McScoreley]

I think he can

The Big 3 is obviously out of the question
Crookham is health dependent

It'll be an adjustment but I think he can be in the JVD, Knox tier

He actually reminds me a bit of Tyler Knox stylistically, albeit Knox is a savvy vet who has just gotten it done every time at NCAAs

 

[LemonPie]

Davis at 141 and Desmond at 133 probably share the same ceiling. Top 4 probably out of reach, but still feel good about AA chances. Really just up to Blaze. PSU in the same boat either way.

 

[Atrain83]

Would be a huge letdown if Ono can’t wrestle. Was most excited to see him this season of anyone on the roster. Also didn’t love hearing that quote about James parents being upset about the gap year.

 

[Corby2]

The Big 3 is obviously out of the question
Crookham is health dependent

It'll be an adjustment but I think he can be in the JVD, Knox tier

He actually reminds me a bit of Tyler Knox stylistically, albeit Knox is a savvy vet who has just gotten it done every time at NCAAs

I was thinking he would be wrestling Knox for 5th. He would be a big 133

 

[Goggles Paisano]

Heard something about that as well but not sure why. I heard it last night so it must be something recent

And I was ostracized just for raising the question after both Cael and Nolf seemed to indicate something is up on this front.

I suspect it is either NCAA incompetence or medical, and not the wrestling injury type. I hope the prior. I know we are all chomping at the bit to see him in folk and in blue and white.

Tragic of it never happens, but at least that question might creep into the realm of possibility if he doesn't go this season.

 

[bwc]

The NCAA didn't let professional basketball players compete. The courts blocked the NCAA from banning them from competing.

This is the blueprint. Judge shop, find a PSU/wrestling friendly one, take the case to them. Block the NCAA from banning Ono from competing. Simple, and there's established precedent, sort of.

 

[SkiSkiSki]

And I was ostracized just for raising the question after both Cael and Nolf seemed to indicate something is up on this front.

I suspect it is either NCAA incompetence or medical, and not the wrestling injury type. I hope the prior. I know we are all chomping at the bit to see him in folk and in blue and white.

Tragic of it never happens, but at least that question might creep into the realm of possibility if he doesn't go this season.

Latest rumor is that some guy named Horilka Wódka called the NCAA to complain about Ono and Cael cheating, which led to his eligibility being questioned. My guy can't 100% verify it though.

 

[Wrestleknownothing]

Latest rumor is that some guy named Horilka Wódka called the NCAA to complain about Ono and Cael cheating, which led to his eligibility being questioned. My guy can't 100% verify it though.

I heard it was Niebo Wodka

 

[El_Jefe]

Ono needs to attend NFL training camp and then enroll at LSU. Then the NCAA will clear him.

 

[Lyons212]

NCAA gonna NCAA.

Makes no sense when they let literal professional bball players compete. God I hate them

NCAA has to get a win somewhere. Pick on a Japanese guy in an Olympic sport and let guys cut from a NFL team return to college football. Make it make sense.

 

[Nitlion1986]

The exact wording is somewhat vague but the implications are that he will not even be possible until January, and that even then it is "50-50". The part that worries me even more is that apparently there is going to be legal action that is needed, and that action could take a long time.

NCAA doing stupid. Oh my. What a shock.
He has been here for how long now?

 

[Nitlion1986]

I am legitimately befuddled by Ono's case. He committed to PSU 18 months ago.

Everyone knows when he enrolled in college, if Japan uses another calendar, okay, adjust it.

Cael was originally saying he expects Ono for multiple years. Now it's possibly none?

The NCAA has very special skills. Maybe somebody should check with Nick Saban and Ted Cruz to see what they feel would be best.

 

[vhsalum]

The NCAA didn't let professional basketball players compete. The courts blocked the NCAA from banning them from competing.

Not true.

There have been and are foreign guys that were professionals playing in NCAA. It's ridiculous period. But to now not allow ONO? Make it make sense.

 

[Atrain83]

If he doesn’t end up wrestling, I do think they Desmond ideally at 133 has a higher ceiling than Davis at 141. Discount the win over Luke because of the teammate piece, but he wouldn’t have beaten him if the talent wasn’t there.

 

[jsn4388]

If he doesn’t end up wrestling, I do think they Desmond ideally at 133 has a higher ceiling than Davis at 141. Discount the win over Luke because of the teammate piece, but he wouldn’t have beaten him if the talent wasn’t there.

If Ono can't go, maybe have LL at 133 and Desmond at 125? I can see Desmond having higher ceiling at 125 than 133.

 

[railbirrd]

One of the funniest career patterns I’ve seen with this team is Scooter’s. Every year it seems like there’s no way he’s going to make the lineup, and every fall, he ends up starting. While I didn’t love some of his more hotheaded moments last year, I’m still a fan, so if he ends up being our 141, I say bring it!

ditto. He's listed as a senior - wow time flies.

 

[Corby2]

If Ono can't go, maybe have LL at 133 and Desmond at 125? I can see Desmond having higher ceiling at 125 than 133.

Cael said last year he wasn't making 125 again after he moved him up . He's outgrown 125

 

[vhsalum]

If Ono can't go, maybe have LL at 133 and Desmond at 125? I can see Desmond having higher ceiling at 125 than 133.

And LL is looking like a lifer 125. You don't move them up.

 

[jsn4388]

And LL is looking like a lifer 125. You don't move them up.

Oh I understand how valuable it is if you have a dominant 125 and heavyweight. I was looking at the ceiling and what Penn State has coming in Sidun.

 

[Corby2]

Oh I understand how valuable it is if you have a dominant 125 and heavyweight. I was looking at the ceiling and what Penn State has coming in Sidun.

Have Burnett coming in for 133 as well

 

[Foreverinbluejeans57]

Latest rumor is that some guy named Horilka Wódka called the NCAA to complain about Ono and Cael cheating, which led to his eligibility being questioned. My guy can't 100% verify it though.

Sure it wasn’t Tavid Daylor?

 

[Joejitsu]

If Ono can't go, maybe have LL at 133 and Desmond at 125? I can see Desmond having higher ceiling at 125 than 133.

i dont think Desmond can make 125 but I think he would be dangerous at 133 and Marcus at 141
Heck... Desmond has had a lot of time to grown into 141 now

He beat Luke last year and he went up two weight classes to wrestle 141 and went undefeated there. Albiet he seemed to struggle with a size disadvantage at 141 a little but his superior wrestling allowed him to win all of his matches regardless of the size and strength disadvantages

He could be very dangerous at 133 if needs and a legit AA (in a stacked weight class). He has had a full year to grow into 41 where i believe he could also AA

Nate Desmond in our lineup would not be a disappointment !

 

[El_Jefe]

Oh I understand how valuable it is if you have a dominant 125 and heavyweight. I was looking at the ceiling and what Penn State has coming in Sidun.

Which is a year too early.

Sidun and Lilledahl will have 1 yr of overlap, in 2028. In that year, will Year 1 Sidun > Year 3 Desmond? How do we know that today, enough to juggle the 2027 lineup?

And that's before considering if Desmond can cut back down (unrealistic) or Lilledahl wants to move up (hinders his freestyle career).

 

[Joejitsu]

Sure it wasn’t Tavid Daylor?

Dav-orika Tay 'odka

 

[jsn4388]

Which is a year too early.

Sidun and Lilledahl will have 1 yr of overlap, in 2028. In that year, will Year 1 Sidun > Year 3 Desmond? How do we know that today, enough to juggle the 2027 lineup?

And that's before considering if Desmond can cut back down (unrealistic) or Lilledahl wants to move up (hinders his freestyle career).

I see Sidun is a 125 lifer. I don't see Desmond as a 125 lifer, but I think he can be a 125 for one more year. If Sidun can't beat Desmond at 125, then I don't see him in the lineup anywhere in the future (except his 1 or 2 year at the end) because I see Burnett at 133. Unfortunately, not everyone can start.

 

[BriantheLion]

ditto. He's listed as a senior - wow time flies.

But since he never redshirted, I believe he’s eligible this season and next… where/when might he fit?!

 

[El_Jefe]

I see Sidun is a 125 lifer. I don't see Desmond as a 125 lifer, but I think he can be a 125 for one more year. If Sidun can't beat Desmond at 125, then I don't see him in the lineup anywhere in the future (except his 1 or 2 year at the end) because I see Burnett at 133. Unfortunately, not everyone can start.

These are incompatible. If Desmond can make 125 for 1 more year, then he'll be at 133 when Sidun arrives.

Cael and the Desmonds don't think he'll ever see 125 again, so it's kinda moot.

 

[jsn4388]

These are incompatible. If Desmond can make 125 for 1 more year, then he'll be at 133 when Sidun arrives.

Cael and the Desmonds don't think he'll ever see 125 again, so it's kinda moot.

Well, that's the point about not everyone can start. If Sidun takes 125 next year, then LL would be at 133 and Blaze at 141. Where can Desmond go then?

 

[BriantheLion]

i dont think Desmond can make 125 but I think he would be dangerous at 133 and Marcus at 141
Heck... Desmond has had a lot of time to grown into 141 now

He beat Luke last year and he went up two weight classes to wrestle 141 and went undefeated there. Albiet he seemed to struggle with a size disadvantage at 141 a little but his superior wrestling allowed him to win all of his matches regardless of the size and strength disadvantages

He could be very dangerous at 133 if needs and a legit AA (in a stacked weight class). He has had a full year to grow into 41 where i believe he could also AA

Nate Desmond in our lineup would not be a disappointment !

I don’t think many of us are any less excited about Nate Desmond in the lineup than we are for more than a very select few other young guys in the room… the only letdown is the absence of one Masa Ono!

 

[WV lion]

Well, that's the point about not everyone can start. If Sidun takes 125 next year, then LL would be at 133 and Blaze at 141. Where can Desmond go then?

Sidun may have to wait a year.

 

[TheRedandtheBlue]

Which is a year too early.

Sidun and Lilledahl will have 1 yr of overlap, in 2028. In that year, will Year 1 Sidun > Year 3 Desmond? How do we know that today, enough to juggle the 2027 lineup?

And that's before considering if Desmond can cut back down (unrealistic) or Lilledahl wants to move up (hinders his freestyle career).

2 years, no? If he’s a career 125, it’s certainly possible that there’s no room at the inn for Sidun until his Junior year. Regardless, good problems to have.

2027/28
Lilledahl - Senior
Sidun - Freshman

2028/29
Lilledahl - Super Senior
Sidun - Sophomore

133 looks like the real question with intriguing answers everywhere you look. Assuming Blaze moves up, 133 is some version of:

2027/28
Ono?
Desmond - Junior
Burnett - Freshman

2028/29
Ono??
Desmond - Senior
Burnett - Soph
Sammy Sanchez - Freshman

 

[Lil Nicky Scarfo]

Perfectly comfortable with Nate Desmond in the lineup. He’s a stud. He’ll be even better at a set weight for an entire year. I remember his great match with Deluce at National Preps in 2024. Great body awareness and scrambling.