Claudio "CJ" Torres adds late gem to Iowa's 2025 recruiting class

If you thought the Iowa men’s wrestling program had already wrapped up its 2025 recruiting class, think again.

That’s because Claudio “CJ” Torres has joined the Hawkeyes’ haul – announcing his commitment via Instagram on Wednesday evening:

The news marks a last-minute change of heart for the Orlando, Florida product, who had previously been committed to perennial ACC powerhouse Virginia Tech. Now, the sixth-ranked 165-pound prospect in the country (per FloWrestling) will head to Iowa City to begin his college career.

Here’s a look at some of the accolades Torres has already racked up, plus how he might fit into the future of the Iowa lineup.

What he brings

Hailing from Lake Hyland Preparatory School – home of the third-ranked high school program in the country – Torres hasn’t been a stranger to high-level training/competition as a prep.

That preparedness has shown up on the mat, too.

Four times already, Torres has earned All-American honors at Fargo Nationals. His highest placement to date came in 2023, when he took fourth in the Junior division at 152 pounds.

More recently, he’s found success against Lake Hyland Prep’s challenging national schedule.

This past season alone, Torres placed at Super 32 (seventh) and Ironman (third) – arguably the two toughest folkstyle tournaments in high school wrestling. Shortly thereafter, he went 5-0 en route to a title at the prestigious Beast of the East.

In mid-March, Torres was named USA Wrestling’s Athlete of the Week for another title-winning performance. This time it came at Folkstyle Nationals – an event held in Hawkeye territory (Des Moines) no less.

Those accomplishments (among others) have earned him the #69 overall ranking in the high school senior class. Now an Iowa pledge, he brings a six-pack of 2025 commits up to a lucky seven – five of whom are ranked in the top 80 of Flo’s senior big board.

Future fit

Torres’ addition is important for several reasons.

For one, he was clearly a priority for the Iowa staff despite his prior pledge to Virginia Tech. Only two of the top 100 senior prospects remain uncommitted as of this typing, so just about any highly touted prospect was going to require prying away from a preexisting partner.

The fact that Iowa did so at the expense of the Hokies won’t go lost on diehard Hawkeye fans either – many of whom likely still haven’t forgiven the Virginia Tech administration (nor a certain coach who now leads the in-state rival Cyclones) for ‘transgressions’ that are now nearing 20 years old.

Alas, those historical tidbits aside, Torres is finally a Hawkeye, nearly 600 days after he officially visited Iowa as an uncommitted junior.

And depending upon his development, it’s conceivable he could break into the lineup as soon as 2026.

Michael Caliendo is entering his senior season in the Black & Gold. That means 10 months from now Tom Brands will be tasked with replacing one of the best 165-pounders in America.

Besides Caliendo, the only other wrestlers listed at 165 on the official roster are program journeymen Will Carano and Sebastian Robles – and they’ll be seniors as well. That leaves Torres as perhaps the only internal option (at this point) to take over the job.

A lot can change between now and then, of course, with Iowa showing zero hesitation to add talent through the portal if it believes an upgrade is available.

But the fact that Torres will (presumably) have a year in the room to redshirt and showcase his abilities to the coaching staff firsthand could give him an inside track – IF he can seize it.

Iowa’s 2025 commitments

Leo DeLuca (New Jersey)

• Ranked #1 at 120 pounds
• #9 overall in Class of 2025

Harvey Ludington (New Jersey)

• Ranked #1 at 190 pounds
• #15 overall in Class of 2025

Jarrel Miller (Ohio)

• Ranked #10 at 190 pounds
• #62 overall in Class of 2025

Claudio Torres (Florida)

• Ranked #6 at 165 pounds
• #69 overall in Class of 2025

Tyrel Miller (Ohio)

• Ranked #14 at 190 pounds
• #80 overall in Class of 2025

Leister Bowling IV (Colorado)

• Unranked at 175 pounds
• Unranked in top 100 of Class of 2025

Paolo Ciatto (New York)

• Unranked at 175 pounds
• Unranked in top 100 of Class of 2025