JT1wrestle Takes A Look At The Citadel 2026-2027

 

Here's where the Transfer Portal can really be a pain in the ass.  The Bulldogs had some good, tough talent on their squad, and all three of them have transferred to compete elsewhere. An institution like The Citadel is already at a disadvantage when it comes to recruiting.  The Transfer Portal makes it that much more difficult. 

Carson DesRosier an NCAA DI qualifier in 2025, is going to compete for Binghamton.

Thomas Snipes, a two-time NCAA DI qualifier, is also heading to New York to compete for the Bearcats. 

Kyrell Leavell, who finished as this year's SOCON runner-up, is going to compete for Little Rock. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Sacred Heart 2026-2027

 

I'm really hoping that we see a Pioneer standout again one of these seasons, but I'm not sure if it is going to be 2026-2027.  I do hope that Sacred Heart does produce another All-American someday.  It's been too long. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Rutgers 2026-2027

 

2025-2026 didn't quite end the way that the Scarlet Knights was hoping that it would.  Nevertheless, when down, you pick yourself back up, you dust yourself off & you regroup & you replan.  The Transfer Portal taketh & the Transfer Portal giveth, as eligibility expiration takes a few others.  I see no less than 8 NCAA DI qualifiers for the Scarlet, gray, black & white.  As to beyond that? The potential is certainly there.

Gone....

Ayden Smith an NCAA DI qualifier has decided to continue his career at Iowa State

Dylan Shawver, 7th in the DI nation in 2024 ended his career a four-time NCAA DI qualifier. 7th at this year's Midlands. 

Joey Olivieri ended his career a 3 time NCAA DI qualifier

As did Andrew Clark

Tony White, was an NCAA DI qualifier in 2023. 

Lenny Pinto ended his career as a four-time NCAA DI qualifier. 

Hunter Catka, a transfer of Virginia Tech was another who earned four DI qualifications in his career.  Twice the NCAA DI R12, he won Midlands this year. 

125
Anthony Knox

The past couple of years we have seen some very special freshmen among the NCAA Division I ranks.  This year will be no different & I predict one of them is going to be Anthony Knox. 

133
Brett Ungar

Health is such an important factor in this sport & if Brett Ungar is healthy, I expect some big things out of the former Cornell Big Red. 

141
Kelly Dunnigan

Kelly Dunnigan comes to Rutgers from the University of Pennsylvania.  Last year he won the Lehman Open & finished 8th at the Southern Scuffle. 

149
Brandt Harer

While Anthony Knox is one of the freshmen that Rutgers is very excited about, the other is Brandt Harer. The four-time state finalist holds the record for the most amount of varsity wins ever in the state of Pennsylvania.  One heck of an accolade heading into his collegiate career. 

157
Conner Harer

A reserve for Tony White last season, Conner Harer won 22 matches & placed 4th at the Midlands.  Defeated Kal Miller by tiebreaker on two occasions, 2-1 & 3-2. 

Andrew Barbosa
165

6th in the BIG 10 a year ago, Andrew Barbosa made the Midlands finals. 

174
Ryan Ford

A backup for Lenny Pinto last season, Ryan Ford won 14 matches.  Among them a 17-2 tech over Tanner Peake, a 10-4 decision over Brock Woodcock & a 6-4 decision over Enrique Munguia.

184
Shane Cartagena-Walsh

25 wins on the season last year, thus far SCW has been 8th & 5th in the BIG 10, as well as 2nd & 1st at the Midlands. A phenomenal gas tank & attack style of wrestling, I'm anxious to see how much he has improved between this year and last year. 

197
Remy Cotton

19 wins on the year, Remy Cotton finished off '25-'26 one match shy of being an NCAA DI All-American.  He was 2nd at the Midlands. 

HWT
Dan Herrera

I tell you what.  He's slimmed down, & obviously put on some muscle. I'm looking very forward to what ol' Peanut can do for Rutgers this season.  I was very impressed by the way when Yonger Bastida was hurt, he stepped up and stepped in for the Cyclones two seasons ago.  The guy is obviously a carpenter & someone I'm very confident that the Scarlet Knights can depend on this season.  An NCAA DI qualifeir in 2025, he had an 8-3 win over Brad Hill & he also defeated R12'er Juan Mora 5-3. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Rider 2026-2027

 

I think of a line from ROCKY BALBOA when I look back on Rider wrestling last season.  The speech where Rocky is talking to his son about knowing what you're worth & going out there and getting it. Refusing to let life deny you what you know you deserve.  I think a lot of the cranberry, white & gray displayed that attitude last year. 

Did anyone at the beginning of 2026-2027 pick Tyler Klinsky to win the Mid-American Conference (MAC) & finish off his career as an All-American? I remember a lot of wrestling media who didn't have him #1 in the MAC, nor did they have him in the top 8 in the DI rankings. He went out and did both. 

How about Will Betancourt?  Records of 2-11 & 8-10, to winning 23 matches in his final season & making the MAC finals. If that doesn't say, "I dare you to doubt me" little else will. 

Eli Griffin wrestled a bit with a chip on his shoulder last year, and I can't say I blame him.  He was either California Baptist very first NCAA DI qualifier, or at least one of them.  A huge achievement for his school, & the Lancer's athletic director, Micah Parker turns around & gives him a middle finger.  That would've fired me up too.  Griffin wrestled instead for an A.D. who appreciated him last season, Don Harnum.  Made the MAC finals, the CKLV finals, and just about made NCAA DI All-American too. 

Enrique Munguia, who wrestled his collegiate career like a box of chocolates.  Unfortunately, the 2025 MAC champion came up a bit short of DI qualification this year, but did wrestle-back to a strong 3rd place finish within the conference. 

The Broncos lost some talent & 2026-2027 will be a rebuilding year. 

149
Dylan Layton

Talk about a guy that was snubbed by his original athletic director.  Like Griffin, Dylan Layton received the middle finger too, this time from Cleveland State.  What was the Viking's loss, has been the Broncos gain.  Layton won 26 matches last year & took 3rd in the MAC. 

197
Brock Zurawski

A two-time NCAA DI qualifier for the Broncos, Brock Zurawski has thus far been 1st & 3rd in the MAC. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look at Purdue 2026-2027

 

Looking over the squad of the Boilermakers for 2026-2027, I suspect Purdue to be one of the most improved teams in NCAA DI wrestling this season. 

Gone...

Blake Boarman ended his career for the black & old gold. 

Stoney Buell an NCAA DI qualifier for the Boilermakers in 2024, placed 6th at CKLV this past season. 

Greyson Clark, also a two-time NCAA DI qualifier, will continue his career at Illinois. 

141
Isaiah Schaefer

A backup to Blake Boarman last season, Isaiah Schaefer won 13 matches last year. Among them a 12-3 major decision over Kade Moore & an 8-2 decision over Dario Lemus. 

149
Gavin Brown

Gavin Brown came up a bit short of NCAA DI qualification last year, as well as coming up one match short of placing at Cliff Keen Las Vegas.  Among his wins, he defeated Dylan Layton twice (15-0 & 4-2) & he had an 11-2 major over SOCON champion Anderson Heap. 

165
Joey Blaze

As he has been the past two seasons, Joey Blaze will once again be the shiniest among the black & old gold in '26-'27.  An NCAA DI runner-up in 2025, he was 6th in the DI nation a year ago. Back-to-back 3rd place showings in the BIG 10, he won last year's CKLV. 

174
Brody Baumann

Brody Baumann enters the '26-'27 season now a three-time NCAA DI qualifier.  17 wins on the season he was 7th at CKLV. 

184
James Rowley

James Rowley is another example of why I expect to see a lot of improvement out of Purdue this season. He's yet another example of a tough wrestler that came up a bit short of NCAA DI qualification as well as a top 8 finish in Vegas.  I expect that he'll achieve both honors his year. 

197
Ben Vanadia

8th in the BIG 10 wasn't enough to get Ben Vanadia into the NCAA DI tournament in 2025, but it was enough to get him into the tournament in 2026.  He should improve upon his back-to-back 8th place finish in 2027. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Princeton 2026-2027

 

To see how strong Ivy League wrestling has gotten over the years, and how much it continues to improve has been a real reward for me as a wrestling fan.  I remember when Greg Parker made the NCAA DI finals my sophomore year of high school back in 2002.  That was a huge deal.  One of those smart kids from Princeton was in the DI finals? That was unheard of. Now with Joe Dubuque at the helm, the rare has become the expected. We're going to see more and more of those smart kids on the DI award stand every March.  All that's left now is for someone to really make my day & announce that what would be the oldest wrestling program has reinstated.  That'd be Yale by the way. 

125
Marc-Anthony McGowan

New Jersey has every right to claim him as he developed his skills at Blair Academy, but I'm still going to give some props to Florida, as home is Tampa.  Regardless of who gets the credit there, this two-time Ivy League champ is good.  Proving how tough Cliff Keen still is in this day in age, a match shy of being top 8 in Vegas, MAM made the NCAA DI finals last season. 

133
Ethan Rivera

Another Florida product, Ethan Rivera fell short of NCAA DI qualification this past season, but should definitely make it in 2027.  Wins over Evan Mougalian (5-3) & Dylan Shawver (5-4). 

141
Matt Martino

4th at the Ivy League last year, Matt Martino earned NCAA DI qualification claiming 16 wins on the year.  One of which was a 4:45 fall over three-time All-American C.J. Composto of Pennsylvania. 

149
Eligh Rivera

Eligh Rivera is a two-time NCAA DI qualifier for the Orange & Black.  Thus far 2nd & 4th in the Ivy League, he made the CKLV finals last year. 

165
Ty Whalen

21 wins on the season, Ty Whalen was 2nd at the Ivy League & 3rd at CKLV

174
Holden Garcia

21 wins on the year, Holden Garcia earned NCAA DI qualification through an At Large Wild Card selection. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Presbyterian 2026-2027

 

184
Doug Reed

If the Blue Hose are sending anyone to the NCAA DI championships this year, it'll be Doug Reed who won 20 matches last season. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Pittsburgh 2026-2027

 

Up and down the lineup, from 125 through HWT, Pittsburgh has a pretty solid team with the potential to qualify all 10 weights to the NCAA DI championships this year.  While the Transfer Portal has claimed two, the ends of eligibility only claims one. 

Kaden Brown, an NCAA DI qualifier last season will be competing for Ohio State this year.

Tony Santaniello, a strong candidate for NCAA DI qualification in 2027, will be competing for Drexel.

Luca Augustine ended his career at four-time NCAA DI qualifier for the Panthers. 

125
Tyler Chappell Or Matt Marlow

Should be a good wrestle-off here at 125 lbs.  14-5 on the year, Matt Marlow earned NCAA DI qualification last year with a 5th place showing at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) & he made the finals at the Midlands.  Matt Marlow, 5th at the Midlands himself, had a 4-1 s.v. over Vincent Kilkeary. 

133
Evan Tallmadge

14 wins on the season last year, Evan Tallmadge finished 4th in an ACC bracket that took the top 3 to the NCAA DI tournament.  Two wins over Ethan Oakley.

141
Briar Priest

An NCAA DI qualifier in 2025, Briar Priest had wins over Dylan Chappell (4-2) & Tom Crook (Fall 7:10) last season. 

149
Eugen Harney Or Kal Miller

The first ever EIWA champion in Morgan State history, Eugene Harney will compete for Pittsburgh this season, as he's in for one of the toughest wrestle-offs in all of DI wrestling.  To challenge for the starting spot will be Kal Miller, a three-time NCAA DI qualifier from Maryland. 

157
Finn Solomon 

An NCAA DI qualifier for the Panthers in 2024, Finn Solomon was injured this past season, but if back to 100%, should again earn qualification. 

165
Dylan Evans Or Jared Keslar

Have a great wrestle-off here to see who will represent the Royal Blue & Gold at 165 lbs.  Both Dylan Evans & Jared Keslar are two-time NCAA DI qualifiers.  Evans won a Midlands title last year, as Keslar was 8th at the Midlands. 

174
Bode Marlow

Redshirting last season, Bode Marlow went 12-3, earning a 7th place finish at Midlands. 

184
Chase Kranitz

An NCAA DI qualifier for the Panthers, Chase Kranitz was 4th at the Midlands. 

197
Mac Stout

1st & 3rd thus far in the ACC, Mac Stout was 7th in the DI nation in 2025 & will look to reclaim All-American Status. 

HWT
Dayton Pitzer

3rd-1st-2nd in the ACC, Dayton Pitzer enters his final season of college wrestling having been one match shy of All-American status in both 2025 & 2026.  He'll be a top contender for a top 8 finish in 2027. 

JT1Wrestle Takes A Look At Pennsylvania 2026-2027

 

Pennsylvania has always been a good & respectable team within NCAA DI wrestling.  All-Americans, individual national champions, the red & blue has produced their fair share over the years. However, now that Matt Valenti (a two-time champ for the Quakers in his own right) is heading the show, with some extremely generous donations from alumni, we're going to see more & more out of Pennsylvania in the years to come.  2026-2027 included. 

Gone...

C.J. Composto put together an awesome career for the Quakers. 93 career wins with All-American finishes of 8th-4th-7th.  1st & 2nd in the Ivy League, he took 2nd at this year's Southern Scuffle. 

Kelly Dunnigan, 8th at the Southern Scuffle will be competing for Rutgers this year. 

125
Max Gallagher

Redshirting last year, Max Gallagher a two-time NCAA DI qualifier returns to the varsity line-up. 

133
Davis Motyka

Competing at 125 last year, Davis Motyka took 2nd at the Ivy League & won the Lehman Open. 

141
Evan Mougalian

Competing at 133 last season, Evan Mougalian had a successful year.  22 wins, he was an Ivy League runner-up, 1st at the Keystone Classic & 3rd at the Southern Scuffle. 

149
Cross Wasilewski

28-5 on the season, Cross Wasilewski who has thus far been 1st & 2nd in the Ivy League, finished off 2025-2026 7th in the DI nation.  Winning the Keystone Classic, he was 3rd at the Southern Scuffle. 

157
Jude Swisher

Twice now the NCAA DI R12, Jude Swisher will be looking to crack through and earn All-American status in 2027.  23-5 on the year he's 2nd & 1st in the Ivy League, as he won the Keystone Classic & finished 3rd at the Southern Scuffle. 

157
Charlie Desena

Of course with all of the major improvements happening at Pennsylvania, getting in some top recruits for '26-'27 was bound to happen.  Their best? Charlie Desena. 

165
Sean Seefeldt

21-9 on the year, Sean Seefeldt was 3rd at both the Ivy League & the Southern Scuffle. A Keystone Classic champion. 

174
Caden Bellis

15 wins on the year, Caden Bellis made the Southern Scuffle finals. 

184
Liam Carlin

Competing mostly at 174 last season, Liam Carlin won 19 matches & was 5th at the Southern Scuffle.