JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Ohio State 2026-2027

 

5th in the NCAA DI nation a year ago, Head Coach Tom Ryan sits in a similar boat to that of Tom & Terry Brands, as well as Mark Manning. The world of college wrestling is more and more resembling an award-winning Coen brothers film from 2007.  Yet Ryan, among all of the youthful talent bound and determined to rule the world of wrestling, remains one of the kings at 57 years old. The hunt to bring home a team trophy in 2027 is going to be fiercely competitive.  THE Ohio State will be in it. 

While the Buckeyes do lose a few to the ends of eligibility & transfer, they are loaded top to bottom with returning talent. 

Gone...

Two-time NCAA DI qualifier Brendan McCrone has decided to continue his career for the Tar Heels of North Carolina. 

6th-1st-1st-2nd in the DI nation & a two-time BIG 10 champion, Jesse Mendez ends his career as one of the best to ever suit up in the scarlet & gray.  104 career wins. 

Luke Geog who was one match shy of being a DI All-American last season, will compete for Missouri this year. 

Three-time NCAA DI qualifier Paddy Gallagher ended his career with an 8th place All-American finish....OR NOT....I guess he has another year of eligibility & he's headed to Oklahoma! 

Carson Kharchla battled injuries & mishaps his entire career.  Nonetheless after finishing 7th in Y1, he fought his way back onto the award stand in year last, capturing a 4th place finish.  One can only wonder if he were 100% the whole time, how many more credentials & accomplishments he'd have to his name.  Very impressive, all things considered. 

Back...

125
Vincent Kilkeary

Vincent Kilkeary went 20-5 last season as a reserve.  7th at the Midlands, he had a win over two-time All-American Jore Volk, 4-1 s.v. 

125
Dom Munaretto

The two-time U17 World champion was a prized pickup for the Buckeyes this year.  I'm still getting used to this 5 for 5 new ruling, so the idea of no more redshirts, or redshirts working a lot differently than they always have, is very new to me.  As good as Munaretto is projected to be, we could be looking at our starter. 

133
Ben Davino Or Antonio Mills

31-2 on the year, a BIG 10 champion & an NCAA DI runner-up, Ben Davino at the current time seems the only one capable of truly challenging Jax Forrest this season.  While it's normally pulling teeth to get me to say much if anything at all about true-freshmen, especially if they haven't had much against a collegiate field, I am before proven reason to be, excited about Antonio Mills. I don't see him over coming Davino for the starting spot, but I do think he'll do some big things this year at places like the Midlands. 

141
Nic Bouzakis

The two-time BIG 10 bronze medalist has decided to move up from 125 to 141.  What will that look like? Excited to find out. 

149
Kade Brown Or Maddox Shaw

Got a good wrestle-off here at 149 lbs between Pittsburgh transfer Kade Brown who was an NCAA DI qualifier for the Panthers & Maddox Shaw, who was 7th at last year's Midlands. 

157
Brandon Cannon

Thus far 2nd & 4th in the BIG 10, Brandon Cannon went 23-5 last year, capturing 4th place All-American honors in the DI nation. 

165
e'Than Birden Or Ethan Stiles

This will not only be one of the best wrestle-offs in Columbus, Ohio, this will be one of the best wrestle-offs in all of collegiate wrestling. e'Than Birden was a reserve last year, who showed us in many ways he did not want to be reserve again in '26-'27.  This included winning at Midlands championship. Ethan Stiles, a 6th place All-American in 2025, was a BIG 10 runner-up last year. 

174
Jaxon Smith

Knowing how hard Coach Alex Clemsen has worked to build up the Terrapin wrestling program, I was sad to see Maryland lose Jaxon Smith.  That is the name of the game in NCAA DI sports though, and the three-time DI qualifier, who was 6th in the nation last season is going to make an excellent addition to the Buckeye squad. Very surprised he's going 174 though.  The Georgia native seemed big at 184 to me. IF he can keep that strength, he'll be one of our biggest early season surprises. 

184
Dylan Fishback

The three-time NCAA DI qualifier has twice been the R12 in his career, and he'll look to finally be top 8 by the end of 2027. 

184
Adam Waters

Another great incoming freshman for the Buckeyes, four-time Pennsylvania state champion Adam Waters. 

197
Seth Shumate Or Ryder Rogotzke

Have another great wrestle-off here at 197.  Seth Shumate was one match shy of being an NCAA DI All-American in 2025. Last year, he won the Midlands.  Ryder Rogotzke is a two-time NCAA DI qualifier in his own right.  

HWT
Nick Feldman

5th in the DI nation back in 2023, not only do I think Nick Feldman will once again be an All-American this year, I think he'll be among those that challenge for the 2027 NCAA DI national title.  3rd in the BIG 10, I also think he'll be challenging for a title there too. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Oklahoma State 2026-2027

 

We have been waiting a long, patient time for someone to come along that could challenge Cael Sanderson & the Nittany Lions of Penn State, and brother HERE WE ARE. David Taylor loses hardly anyone as he brings back a team that if there has ever been one to challenge Penn State, THIS IS IT. 

For the last 25 years I have seen fans fixate over the idea of finding the next Cael Sanderson way harder and way more obsessed than any Chess fan dare ever search for Bobby Fischer.  I always thought that going undefeated at the NCAA DI level all four (I guess five now) years of competition was 1 in a 1,000,000,000. Plain impossible.  That what Sanderson did in 2002, would never be accomplished again.  

Low and behold, the Cowboys of Oklahoma State have TWO on their team, at the SAME TIME, both still legitimately eligible for that accomplishment! I mean there's still a long way to go, competition is as fierce as it has ever been and of course the elephant in the room will always be health. It still blows my mind to think that it's possible though. 

Gone....

I really wish I knew what the story was on Richard Figueroa.  You don't win an NCAA DI title in 2024 and then regress that much.  Not without something causing it.  I'd love to learn that he was going to spend a season in the NAIA or NCAA DII.  Some might see it as beneath him or unfair to those already in those Divisions. I just hate negative endings, I guess. I never accept them well. 

Konnor Doucet, a three-time NCAA DI qualifier had a great final year for the cowboys.  A BIG 12 runner-up, he was 4th in the DI nation. 


Move aside Kotter, we have a lot to welcome back....

125
Troy Spratley

2nd-2nd-1st in the BIG 12 & 2nd-5th in the DI nation, Troy Spratley has thus far put together one heck of a career as he'll be a contender for the NCAA Division I title in 2027. 

125
Rocklin Zinkin

Troy Spratley is going to be a very hard guy to replace after his eligibility runs out in March.  Nonetheless, Okie State already has very strong replacement lined up in Rocklin Zinkin. 

133
Jax Forrest or Ronnie Ramirez

19-0 on the year, A BIG 12 champion & an NCAA DI champion, it almost seems made up and surreal that Jax Forrest is this good, this soon. It's not like he just won either.  These weren't sneak by, squeak by 1 or 2 point matches. He was tech-falling an NCAA DI finalist a month into competing at the highest level of collegiate wrestling. Wrestling fans have been hoping, begging, praying, and pleading for another four-time undefeated NCAA DI champion, and they might have found one. 

What really astonishes me about Oklahoma State is how thus far they've been able to keep their outstanding talent in the reserves. I think sooner or later it'll begin to catch up with them, and they'll lose their grand backups to teams that could really use them. I mean let's be real, Ronnie Ramirez is All-American material in his own right. A guy that is a strong candidate to be top 8 in the nation isn't going to spend his entire career #2 on his own team.  Among the Californian's wins, Zach Redding & Julian Farber. 

141
Tagen Jamison Or Cael Hughes

Looking very forward to this wrestle-off.  Tagen Jamison did not have the '25-'26 that he wanted as a reserve at 149.  Now that he's back at 141, he's looking to have at least as good if not better of a showing than he did in 2025, when he finished the year one match shy of being an All-American.  Hughes didn't wrestle last season, but at 133 in 2025, he had wins over Sean Spidle, Kai Orine & Zan Fugitt. 

133 & 141
The Raney Brothers

Pirata aka Britt Malinsky has informed me more than once that this Oklahoma State 2026-2027 recruiting class is something really special & it's easy to see why he's saying that.  As if Oklahoma State isn't already loaded enough as it is at 133 & 141, they add in Jaydyn & Jordyn Raney.  

149
Sergio Vega

At 141 last year, going 24-0, Sergio Vega fit the description of being the next Cael Sanderson to a T winning BIG 12 & NCAA DI titles.  Coming in as a true freshman, keeping Jesse Mendez from his third title, and having his way with four-time DI All-American Brock Hardy on several occasions.  Like Forrest, he's in a position to seriously contemplate the idea that he might go undefeated the rest of his career.  With that said, 141 to 149 is often one of the biggest jumps in collegiate wrestling.  Vega relied on a very strong defense last year.  Using his power & strength to overcome the offensive attacks & strategies of his opponents. Is that going to work up 8 lbs of muscle?  When Shayne Van Ness is deep in on a double, is Vega going to be able to hip in & prevent him from finishing?  When Caleb Henson has a leg up in the air, is Vega going to be able to keep him from turning it into three? Technique, technique, technique, strength may get treated like a background character, when it actually plays a very significant supporting role. 

157
Landon Robideau

Can you imagine going 21-2 as a true freshman, making the BIG 12 finals & winning an NCAA DI title, & yet you get overlooked & undermentioned because two of your teammates were also true freshmen that went undefeated last year? The Wrestling community makes me shake my head sometimes. By the time this guy's career is done, he'll be carrying enough Gold to make a leprechaun envious, but he'll be underhyped & underappreciated because Heaven forbid he lost in a tiebreaker to the 2025 NCAA DI champion. 

165
Dee Lockett OR Casey Swiderski OR Kody Routledge

Three potential All-Americans all on the same team, all at the same weight? S.O.G. When I said that I was shocked by how much talent Oklahoma State has managed to hold on to, I meant it. There are teams heading into 2026-2027 that would kill for a 165 lbs'er this talented & Oklahoma State will be sitting two of them.  Again, Damn. 

It feels funny to say this, honestly out of character for me, but I felt bad for Dee Lockett at the end of 2026 last year. Here's a guy that made the BIG 12 finals as a freshman & because of a hiccup (which has happened to 100's... literally 100's of freshmen of the years) he has to take his fair share of criticism from a group of fans who now hold the standards to the heights that Forrest & Vega have set them.  Furthermore, it gets HARDER this season, as I keep in mind Lockett has a win over two-time NCAA DI finalist Mikey Caliendo. 

Casey Swiderski is the kind of guy that JT1Wrestle loves to write about. He came to Oklahoma State with a lot of the townsfolk doubting him and his abilities. Some saying that he wasn't good enough to wear the orange and black. I love seeing the cynical and pessimistic silenced.  Swiderski won a BIG 12 title & picked up an 8th place finish in the DI nation.  This was at 149 though, and I'll be damned if I'm not sipping a bit of hypocritical tea myself.  I'm not doubting him or his capabilities, but I am asking what a Casey Swiderski looks like competing at 165 lbs.  I think that's a fair question to ask. 

Kody Routledge? We haven't' seen a lot out of him yet, but wins over Peyten Keller & Brady Woodcock give preview. 

174
Lorenzo Norman Or Alex Facundo Or Zack Ryder

And we have the exact same situation at 174 that we have at 165.  Three extremely talented, All-American potential candidates & only one of them is going to be varsity this year.  

Lorenzo Norman comes to Stillwater from Stanford, one of the best at 174 lbs yet to be an All-American. 

Alex Facundo was a BIG 12 runner-up this past season. 

Zack Ryder competing at 184 lbs, earned 8th place in the DI nation last year. 

David Taylor really needs to promote & market these wrestle-offs.  Take nothing away from other programs, but honestly these will be just as good as many of the duals.  I'd do some distribution, and I'd get a crowd for these. Wrestling this good should not happen behind closed doors. 

184
Bennett Berge

4th in the DI nation 2024, Bennett Berge comes to Oklahoma State from South Dakota State looking to reclaim the All-American honor he earned in Y1 of varsity wrestling.  4th-3rd-5th in the BIG 12, he'll look to win a conference title this season as well. 

197
Cody Merrill

Another sensational freshman from last season.  Cody Merill went 21-5 on the year, taking 3rd at the BIG 12's & 2nd in the DI nation.  Producing this type of talent, you'd think more schools in California would be interested in having it.  Aaron La Farge says that UCLA would have one Hell of a team if they'd take the 0.001% of the budget it would take to field one.  With a guy like Merrill, who could argue that? 

HWT
Dreshaun Ross

Has yet to wrestle an NCAA DI match & already Cradlezone thinks he's going to be the 2027 NCAA DI national champion.  Not that farfetched considering the Cowboys recent track record with true freshmen!! 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Northern Iowa 2026-2027

 

There was a time when the Hawkeyes & the Cyclones ruled the world of NCAA Division I within the state of wrestling also known as Iowa, as the Panthers sat back and accepted their place. Those days are over.  It's all gold, and the purple wants in on it every bit as much as the black & cardinal, and they aren't taking a backseat to anyone. Will I live to see the day when all three DI schools in Iowa take home a team trophy from the NCAA tournament in the same season? I think that's a very real possibility.  Doug Schwab continues to build something strong in Cedar Falls. 

If you've ever been to a dual at Carver Hawkeye, you know that magic of that atmosphere.  Having to walk half a mile from where you parked. Surrounded by 15,000 screaming people. The environment is electric.  Hilton Coliseum is just as intense. It's 5 degrees outside on a freezing cold Sunday & you're in a sea of cardinal & gold ready to watch the Clones go to war.  Schwab has the exact same thing going on when his Panthers get ready to do battle in the UNI Dome or at the McLeod Center.  You want to hear the loudest sounds in Blackhawk county?  It's not the jets at the Waterloo Airport.  It's not the machines at John Deere.  It's the purple & gold faithful screaming their heads off for Northern Iowa wrestling. 

I told Doug Schwab that I bet he beats the all-time attendance record this year when he host Iowa for a home dual. I sincerely believe that will be the case, and I'll be one of the ones in attendance for it.  While he does lose some talent, he brings back one of his best squads ever. 

Gone...

"Leave it all out on the mat" was a saying my Coach told us multiple times every season & you tell me if anyone resembled that mark better than Julian Farber. The three-time NCAA DI qualifier took 3rd at the BIG 12's the past two seasons in a row, and those two bronze medals came via a guy who went 100% all 7 minutes.  The Georgia native never did earn All-American honors, but in his last match he gave a 2025 NCAA DI champion probably the hardest fought victory of his life, in a 5-4 classic.  Not sure what the future has in store for Farber, but if they're looking for someone to play Gambit in the next X-MEN movie, I found their man. 

Kyle Gollhofer another Georgia native, I believe is also out of eligibility.  I'm not 100% positive that he's done, but I'm pretty sure he is. 

Jack Thomsen was not varsity this past season, but he was an NCAA DI qualifier in 2024 & 2025.  

Jarred Simma ends his career at three-time NCAA DI qualifier. 

125
Trever Anderson

One match from being an NCAA DI All-American in 2025, many were not happy that Trever Anderson was left off the At-Large Wildcard list for 2026.  Anderson included.  Among his wins last season a 12-0 major decision over Mack Mauger & an 8-7 decision over Jett Strickenberger. 

133
Garrett Rinkin

Garrett Rinkin went 18-5 last year as a reserve for Julian Farber.  Among his wins, a 6-3 victory over Marcel Lopez & for whatever it is worth, a 10-9 decision over Richard Figuera. 

141
Cory Land

It seems at Northern Iowa they're either locals or Georgians, and in this case it's a Georgian. Cory Land unfortunately ended up hurt last season, but showed on more than one occasion what he's capable of moving forward. A 9-8 win over two-time All-American Vance VomBaur. 

149
Caleb Rathjen

Caleb Rathjen enters '26-'27 with back-to-back BIG 12 finals appearances. 

157
R.J. Weston

It was a roller coaster of a season for R.J. Weston last year, but among his ups, a 4-3 win over Laird Root. 

165
Ryder Downey

76 career wins, Ryder Downey has thus far been one match away from being an All-American twice in his career.  He'll look to surpass that 100 win mark & earn that top 8 finish in 2027. 

174
Izzy Moreno

Among those from Iowa & those from Georgia, Izzy Moreno happens to be from Montana.  I think he's capable of doing some good things for the purple & gold this year. 

184
Nick Fox

The Osage native was an NCAA DI qualifier for the Panthers las season. 

184
Waylon Cressell

I'll be anxious to see with both Nick Fox & Waylon Cressell at 184, if one doesn't move up to 197.  Cressell has already competed at 197, and I wouldn't be surprised if ends up being him.  State titles in both North Dakota & Indiana, he also accomplished things in & for the state of Iowa.  So don't ask me where he's from, I'll just say, "Oh, here and there."  Ask me where he is? Northern Iowa! 

HWT
Wyatt Voelker

One match from being an All-American at 197 lbs in 2025 & hurt last season, I have high expectations for Wyatt Voelker in 2026-2027.  Among the testimony, a 5-1 win over Ashton Davis, an 8-5 win over Luke Luffman & a 21-6 tech over Jarrett Stoner. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Ohio 2026-2027

 

Coach Greenlee graduates a group of extremely talented wrestlers, thus looking to make 2026-2027 a rebuilding year for the Bobcats. 

Garrett Thompson won 88 matches during his career for the white & green.  2nd-1st-2nd in the Mid-American conference. 

Zayne Lehman, a two-time NCAA DI qualifier, ended his career an MAC champion. 

Sal Perrine, a three-time NCAA DI qualifier, ended his career an MAC champion.  He was 6th at CKLV. 

157
Derek Raike

20 wins on the season last year, Derek Raike was an MAC champion & 7th at CKLV. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Northwestern 2026-2027

 

I'd wager to say that the Wildcats ended 2025-2026 feeling like they had some unfinished business and that that business will be adhered to in 2026-2027.  A lot of potential lies within the lineup of Northwestern and I'm anxious to see if they make like Stevie Wonder, signed, sealed and delivered. 

Sean Spidle is now out of eligibility.  The two-time NCAA DI qualifier ended his career with a 7th place showing at the BIG 10's, 8th at CKLV & 3rd at the Midlands. 

125
Dedrick Navarro

Dedrick Navarro coming up short of NCAA DI qualification last year really surprised me.  Especially considering that he just tore Sulayman Bah & Broady Roark apart in 17-0 & 17-5 matches respectively.  The Idaho native came up short of placing at last year's Midlands as well, although he was 7th there two years ago. 

141
Massey Odiotti

Coming off of a redshirt last year, Massey Odiotti won 18 matches in '25-'26. 

141
Billy DeKraker

An NCAA DI qualifier for the Wildcats last year, the Blair Academy product was one match shy of placing at CKLV & 5th at the Midlands. 

149
Sam Cartella

An NCAA DI qualifier in 2025, Sam Cartella was also 5th at the Midlands two seasons ago. 

174
Eddie Enright

Like Dedrick Navarro, Eddie Enright is another I was shocked wasn't top 33 by '26's end.  5th at both CKLV & the Midlands, the Mt. Carmel product nearly tech'd Lenny Pinto 14-3. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At North Dakota State 2026-2027

 

The Bison do lose two-time NCAA DI qualifier Aiden Brenot who has decided to continue this collegiate career at Arizona State.  Meanwhile, they bring back some tough talent as we head into 2026-2027.  This will be NDSU's first year in the PAC-12 & I think overall this will be a very good thing for the green & yellow. 

125
Zeke Witt

25 wins on the season last year, Zeke Witt earned NCAA DI qualification with a 3rd place showing at the BIG 12's. 

133
Tristan Daugherty

Tristan Daugherty came up a bit short of BIG 12 placement last season, but was 6th in 2025.  I think for sure he should be a PAC-12 place-winner this year & contend for NCAA DI qualification. 

149
Max Petersen

A two-time NWCA Academic All-American, Max Petersen earned DI qualification with a 6th place finish at the BIG 12's. 

157
Gavin Drexler

8th in the DI nation in 2025, Gavin Drexler came up a bit short of NCAA DI All-American honors for the second time last season.  3rd & 4th thus far in the BIG 12, he'll be among the Bison looking to become North Dakota's first PAC-12 champion. 

197
Devin Wasley

22 wins on the year, the NWCA scholar All-American was 7th at the BIG 12's.