Recruiting….

TheREALSpooner

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2022
565
1,750
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Agreed 100%. A dedicated GA at 174 is a legit title contender. At 184 I'm afraid he's just too small to be more than a top 10-12 guy. You could see the other night he definitely has some more room to cut if that becomes the plan next year. I really hope it does.

He's going to 174 this year.
 
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AndreTheHawk

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
862
1,673
93
Agreed 100%. A dedicated GA at 174 is a legit title contender. At 184 I'm afraid he's just too small to be more than a top 10-12 guy. You could see the other night he definitely has some more room to cut if that becomes the plan next year. I really hope it does.
Well he doesn't have much choice if he wants to wrestle for Iowa, as a starter anyway. Ferrari and Ludington should be locked in for the foreseeable future.

I don't think he'll win a title at 174 either (believe it when I see it type of thing), but he could certainly contend with some offensive improvement. Would absolutely love to see it.
 
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Slim45

All-Conference
Nov 30, 2019
527
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Agreed 100%. A dedicated GA at 174 is a legit title contender. At 184 I'm afraid he's just too small to be more than a top 10-12 guy. You could see the other night he definitely has some more room to cut if that becomes the plan next year. I really hope it does.
Post match interview says it’s the plan this year
 
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Wrestling04

Freshman
Apr 4, 2024
41
75
18
Stop dumping money into these transfer portal kids who then get the money and then under perform. Instead, dump that money into these top 20 blue chip recruits coming out of high school who are hungry and want to prove themselves. These blue chip high school kids are ready to go. What Bailey and Williams did today was embarrassing.
 

IndianaHawk98

Senior
Jul 2, 2025
265
646
93
Stop dumping money into these transfer portal kids who then get the money and then under perform. Instead, dump that money into these top 20 blue chip recruits coming out of high school who are hungry and want to prove themselves. These blue chip high school kids are ready to go. What Bailey and Williams did today was embarrassing.
Bailey looked horrible…Williams got into 2 deep shots and couldn’t finish, which is understandable with Zerban; but I still thought he was going to win. He eventually ran out of gas at the end, which you would think he would do better with his conditioning after moving up a weight.

Happy that we are investing in recruits like the Bachmanns, Kenny’s, Israel Borge, Sonny Amato, Harvey Ludington, Michael Mocco, and Leo Deluca. Top level recruits over portal candidates.

Future is bright but gosh, tonight stung. I guess it’s taking Drake to really start up this season and Kennedy didn’t wrestle the smartest. We could’ve easily won with the veterans winning. Still somewhat early in the season. Only 1 month of wrestling has happened.

On to the next…
 

Slim45

All-Conference
Nov 30, 2019
527
1,577
93
Bailey looked horrible…Williams got into 2 deep shots and couldn’t finish, which is understandable with Zerban; but I still thought he was going to win. He eventually ran out of gas at the end, which you would think he would do better with his conditioning after moving up a weight.

Happy that we are investing in recruits like the Bachmanns, Kenny’s, Israel Borge, Sonny Amato, Harvey Ludington, Michael Mocco, and Leo Deluca. Top level recruits over portal candidates.

Future is bright but gosh, tonight stung. I guess it’s taking Drake to really start up this season and Kennedy didn’t wrestle the smartest. We could’ve easily won with the veterans winning. Still somewhat early in the season. Only 1 month of wrestling has happened.

On to the next…
Honestly thought Williams looked pretty good going into the 3rd. The decision for him to go under there kind of had me scratching my head. Obviously got ugly after that
 

HawkAlum2002

Senior
Oct 18, 2017
307
653
93
I don't believe he got a takedown before that but did get a reversal. Hard to go neutral if you couldn't take the guy down in 5 minutes

He didn't but he was in on enough shots and the scrambles were 50/50 so it would've been the right option. I think if he faces him again he will win. The takedown given up when he stopped wrestling was dumb, but the actual action was more than competitive and he never felt overmatched like Bailey and Kueter (and slightly lesser extent Mo) did.
 
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Slim45

All-Conference
Nov 30, 2019
527
1,577
93
I don't believe he got a takedown before that but did get a reversal. Hard to go neutral if you couldn't take the guy down in 5 minutes
I just thought it was strange. 1 pt escape doesn’t really do anything and getting another reversal there seemed unlikely. After being in on a couple good shots early i thought he should’ve gone neutral.
 
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IndianaHawk98

Senior
Jul 2, 2025
265
646
93
Faith Christian Academy will be wrestling SEM this weekend. Anybody know where Sonny Amato, Israel Borge, Mocco, Youngblut, and CBA (Kenny’s and Duffy) will be wrestling ?

I think Youngblut with be at Donnybrook.

ON DECK COMPETITION FOR THIS WEEKEND:
Bachmann Bro’s - Wyoming Sem.
Youngblut - Donnybrook
CBA (Kenny’s and Duffy) - ?
Mocco’s - ?
Israel Borge - ?
Sonny Amato - ?
 
Last edited:
Jan 28, 2019
272
766
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Faith Christian Academy will be wrestling SEM this weekend. Anybody know where Sonny Amato, Israel Borge, Mocco, Youngblut, and CBA (Kenny’s and Duffy) will be wrestling ?

I think Youngblut with be at Donnybrook.

ON DECK COMPETITION FOR THIS WEEKEND:
Bachmann Bro’s - Wyoming Sem.
Youngblut - Donnybrook
CBA (Kenny’s and Duffy) - ?
Mocco’s - ?
Israel Borge - ?
Sonny Amato - ?
Unfortunately, the SEM coach who was canned last spring did little recruiting over the past few years and they will likely be crushed by FCA. I’ll be there as I’m about 3 minutes from SEM.
 
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UNIHawk

Senior
May 2, 2025
247
673
93
Grey Burnett to Penn State. 2027 Big Board #4 Matscout, #6 Flo. Desmond, Sidun, Lilledahl, Burnett all around the same weight range.
1764730305420.png
 

UNIHawk

Senior
May 2, 2025
247
673
93
Desmond won't hold 125 long and I can see Luke going up eventually and blaze as well to 141
I agree on all three of those but there's still a logjam with Sidun 125, Desmond 133. Lilledahl will be cleared by then but they're still going to have to do some juggling. Iowa will as well in a few years at 141-157 range.
 

Corby2

All-American
Jul 14, 2025
2,978
6,112
113
I agree on all three of those but there's still a logjam with Sidun 125, Desmond 133. Lilledahl will be cleared by then but they're still going to have to do some juggling. Iowa will as well in a few years at 141-157 range.
And years ago that wasn't an issue it was called depth. Now people look at it as a problem I think it's a good problem
 

IndianaHawk98

Senior
Jul 2, 2025
265
646
93

Hope this link works. Nothing until 12/10, same for Amato according to Rumson-Fair Haven schedule.
Appreciate it!

Excited to see the future hawks compete! Saw that Israel Borge won a college open recently (Drury Open). All these guys are hammers! Happy that T&T are recruiting hard, love the 2027 class and the 2028 class will be just as great!
 

sdvike

All-Conference
Feb 23, 2016
784
1,669
93
And years ago that wasn't an issue it was called depth. Now people look at it as a problem I think it's a good problem
Today the money has to be there for a team to stockpile blue chippers but if they do, it is a really good problem. I guess years ago you had to have the schollys but maybe that was circumvented.
 

IndianaHawk98

Senior
Jul 2, 2025
265
646
93
With Grey Burnett committing to PSU, this makes me to think about where Sammy Sanchez would commit.

I wonder with Brody Teske being one of his coaches helps us in his recruiting. With the nee RTC rule, does anybody know if Sammy visited the RTC anytime recently.

I know we are crowded in his projected weight but many other programs are just as crowded in lower weights such as

- PSU
- OkieSt.
- tOSU
- Michigan
- ASU

ISU, VTech, and Nebraska are the only ones that have a few vacancies around his projected weight.

Also, if he is more concern about academics like the Ivies, Stanford, or UNC then you can forget about the rest of the post lol.

I’m guessing he still chooses PSU though… we will see.
 
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Libertylover

All-Conference
Dec 17, 2020
766
1,274
93
With Grey Burnett committing to PSU, this makes me to think about where Sammy Sanchez would commit.

I wonder with Brody Teske being one of his coaches helps us in his recruiting. With the nee RTC rule, does anybody know if Sammy visited the RTC anytime recently.

I know we are crowded in his projected weight but many other programs are just as crowded in lower weights such as

- PSU
- OkieSt.
- tOSU
- Michigan
- ASU

ISU, VTech, and Nebraska are the only ones that have a few vacancies around his projected weight.

Also, if he is more concern about academics like the Ivies, Stanford, or UNC then you can forget about the rest of the post lol.

I’m guessing he still chooses PSU though… we will see.
Is Teske a high school coach or club coach? Has he given any indication who he’s seriously considering? We may still be the least loaded in the lighter weights compared to PSU and okyst. Didn’t know Michigan and ASU were loaded. If we can separate him and the two Kenny’s were are good. Deluca will only overlap with him for one year if he redshirts. I imagine most of our 27/28 class could also Olympic redshirt. I here Flo talking about that strategy for PSU, tOSU, and osu to make room for everyone.
 
Mar 9, 2013
165
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63
Stop dumping money into these transfer portal kids who then get the money and then under perform. Instead, dump that money into these top 20 blue chip recruits coming out of high school who are hungry and want to prove themselves. These blue chip high school kids are ready to go. What Bailey and Williams did today was embarrassing.
Y’all act like we had a bunch of choices last year at the end of the season, trying to fill our holes.
 
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Sullivan

All-Conference
Oct 12, 2021
1,638
2,238
113
According to AI:

Oklahoma State, Iowa, and Nebraska are among the teams that benefited most from the 2025 wrestling transfer portal by acquiring significant All-American talent to bolster their lineups for the current 2025-2026 season.

Key Teams and Notable Additions
The transfer portal activity was robust, with several major programs adding proven talent.

Team Notable Transfers AcquiredKey Accolades/Impact
Oklahoma StateRichie Figueroa, Casey Swiderski, Alex Facundo, Zack RyderFigueroa is a 2024 NCAA champion. Swiderski and Facundo are All-Americans, with Ryder being a top prospect with significant eligibility remaining.
IowaNasir Bailey, Sammy Alvarez, Dean PetersonBailey was a 2024 All-American (4th place). Alvarez was also a 2025 All-American. Peterson is a two-time NCAA Round of 12 finisher who can immediately fill a key lower weight spot.
NebraskaAJ Ferrari, Chance LamerFerrari, a 2021 NCAA champion and 2025 All-American, is a national title contender at heavyweight. Lamer is a multiple-time NCAA qualifier.
Iowa StateRocky Elam, Stevo Poulin, Vinny ZerbanElam is a four-time All-American, providing instant firepower at 197 lbs. Poulin and Zerban are both 2025 All-Americans who transferred in after a coaching change.
OklahomaPeyten Kellar, Rafael Hipolito, Brian SoldanoThe Sooners added several accomplished transfers, including All-American Peyten Kellar and ACC champion Rafael Hipolito, to significantly rebuild their lineup.
Penn StateRocco WelshPenn State secured Rocco Welsh, a 2024 NCAA runner-up with three years of eligibility remaining, adding depth to their already formidable roster.

Context
The transfer portal has become a vital part of college wrestling roster building, allowing teams to quickly add experienced, high-caliber athletes. The teams listed above made the most impactful moves by acquiring wrestlers who have already achieved All-American status or are considered top national contenders, positioning them for immediate success in the current 2025-2026 season.
 

IndianaHawk98

Senior
Jul 2, 2025
265
646
93
According to AI:

Oklahoma State, Iowa, and Nebraska are among the teams that benefited most from the 2025 wrestling transfer portal by acquiring significant All-American talent to bolster their lineups for the current 2025-2026 season.

Key Teams and Notable Additions
The transfer portal activity was robust, with several major programs adding proven talent.

TeamNotable Transfers AcquiredKey Accolades/Impact
Oklahoma StateRichie Figueroa, Casey Swiderski, Alex Facundo, Zack RyderFigueroa is a 2024 NCAA champion. Swiderski and Facundo are All-Americans, with Ryder being a top prospect with significant eligibility remaining.
IowaNasir Bailey, Sammy Alvarez, Dean PetersonBailey was a 2024 All-American (4th place). Alvarez was also a 2025 All-American. Peterson is a two-time NCAA Round of 12 finisher who can immediately fill a key lower weight spot.
NebraskaAJ Ferrari, Chance LamerFerrari, a 2021 NCAA champion and 2025 All-American, is a national title contender at heavyweight. Lamer is a multiple-time NCAA qualifier.
Iowa StateRocky Elam, Stevo Poulin, Vinny ZerbanElam is a four-time All-American, providing instant firepower at 197 lbs. Poulin and Zerban are both 2025 All-Americans who transferred in after a coaching change.
OklahomaPeyten Kellar, Rafael Hipolito, Brian SoldanoThe Sooners added several accomplished transfers, including All-American Peyten Kellar and ACC champion Rafael Hipolito, to significantly rebuild their lineup.
Penn StateRocco WelshPenn State secured Rocco Welsh, a 2024 NCAA runner-up with three years of eligibility remaining, adding depth to their already formidable roster.

Context
The transfer portal has become a vital part of college wrestling roster building, allowing teams to quickly add experienced, high-caliber athletes. The teams listed above made the most impactful moves by acquiring wrestlers who have already achieved All-American status or are considered top national contenders, positioning them for immediate success in the current 2025-2026 season.
I would add ISU to that list as well. They got 4 big transfers that helped bolster their lineup.

Poulin, Zerban, Dean, and Rocky are major upgrades for them. Tom and Terry are adapting just like every other big program out there. You can’t fault our coaches for going the direction every other coach is going, which is recruiting High Schoolers and the Portal. Every competitive school has had their hand in the portal: PSU, Okie St., Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, ISU, Oklahoma, and even tOSU (who went after Chittum and Stiles this off season).

The portal is part of the game now, everyone has to live with it now. Can’t fault our coaches with trying to work with what they have and them working the system (portal and all). We got a major couple of classes coming through so we won’t have to leverage the portal as we did in the past.
 
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Corby2

All-American
Jul 14, 2025
2,978
6,112
113
According to AI:

Oklahoma State, Iowa, and Nebraska are among the teams that benefited most from the 2025 wrestling transfer portal by acquiring significant All-American talent to bolster their lineups for the current 2025-2026 season.

Key Teams and Notable Additions
The transfer portal activity was robust, with several major programs adding proven talent.

Team Notable Transfers AcquiredKey Accolades/Impact
Oklahoma StateRichie Figueroa, Casey Swiderski, Alex Facundo, Zack RyderFigueroa is a 2024 NCAA champion. Swiderski and Facundo are All-Americans, with Ryder being a top prospect with significant eligibility remaining.
IowaNasir Bailey, Sammy Alvarez, Dean PetersonBailey was a 2024 All-American (4th place). Alvarez was also a 2025 All-American. Peterson is a two-time NCAA Round of 12 finisher who can immediately fill a key lower weight spot.
NebraskaAJ Ferrari, Chance LamerFerrari, a 2021 NCAA champion and 2025 All-American, is a national title contender at heavyweight. Lamer is a multiple-time NCAA qualifier.
Iowa StateRocky Elam, Stevo Poulin, Vinny ZerbanElam is a four-time All-American, providing instant firepower at 197 lbs. Poulin and Zerban are both 2025 All-Americans who transferred in after a coaching change.
OklahomaPeyten Kellar, Rafael Hipolito, Brian SoldanoThe Sooners added several accomplished transfers, including All-American Peyten Kellar and ACC champion Rafael Hipolito, to significantly rebuild their lineup.
Penn StateRocco WelshPenn State secured Rocco Welsh, a 2024 NCAA runner-up with three years of eligibility remaining, adding depth to their already formidable roster.

Context
The transfer portal has become a vital part of college wrestling roster building, allowing teams to quickly add experienced, high-caliber athletes. The teams listed above made the most impactful moves by acquiring wrestlers who have already achieved All-American status or are considered top national contenders, positioning them for immediate success in the current 2025-2026 season.
AI forgot Williams and has Alvarez if AI is the future we are fu*cked
 

maxpain

All-American
Jul 6, 2006
1,623
5,196
113
According to AI:

Oklahoma State, Iowa, and Nebraska are among the teams that benefited most from the 2025 wrestling transfer portal by acquiring significant All-American talent to bolster their lineups for the current 2025-2026 season.

Key Teams and Notable Additions
The transfer portal activity was robust, with several major programs adding proven talent.

TeamNotable Transfers AcquiredKey Accolades/Impact
Oklahoma StateRichie Figueroa, Casey Swiderski, Alex Facundo, Zack RyderFigueroa is a 2024 NCAA champion. Swiderski and Facundo are All-Americans, with Ryder being a top prospect with significant eligibility remaining.
IowaNasir Bailey, Sammy Alvarez, Dean PetersonBailey was a 2024 All-American (4th place). Alvarez was also a 2025 All-American. Peterson is a two-time NCAA Round of 12 finisher who can immediately fill a key lower weight spot.
NebraskaAJ Ferrari, Chance LamerFerrari, a 2021 NCAA champion and 2025 All-American, is a national title contender at heavyweight. Lamer is a multiple-time NCAA qualifier.
Iowa StateRocky Elam, Stevo Poulin, Vinny ZerbanElam is a four-time All-American, providing instant firepower at 197 lbs. Poulin and Zerban are both 2025 All-Americans who transferred in after a coaching change.
OklahomaPeyten Kellar, Rafael Hipolito, Brian SoldanoThe Sooners added several accomplished transfers, including All-American Peyten Kellar and ACC champion Rafael Hipolito, to significantly rebuild their lineup.
Penn StateRocco WelshPenn State secured Rocco Welsh, a 2024 NCAA runner-up with three years of eligibility remaining, adding depth to their already formidable roster.

Context
The transfer portal has become a vital part of college wrestling roster building, allowing teams to quickly add experienced, high-caliber athletes. The teams listed above made the most impactful moves by acquiring wrestlers who have already achieved All-American status or are considered top national contenders, positioning them for immediate success in the current 2025-2026 season.

Take the AI off cesspool mode.
 
Jan 28, 2019
272
766
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Y’all act like we had a bunch of choices last year at the end of the season, trying to fill our holes.
He said, “trying to fill our holes.”
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