125 lbs
The Forerunners -Jesse
Delgado
Illinois,
Nico Megaludis
Penn State
and Nahshon Garrett Cornell
Illini senior Delgado looks to end his illustrious career with a third NCAA
title, but going head to head with him will be fellow senior Megaludis, who
has thus finished 2nd-2nd-3rd during his campaign as a Nittany Lion.
The two have split back and forth, each having wins over the other. Not far
behind either of them will be Garrett who after finishing 3rd-2nd thus far in
his career, hopes to add what will be one of two NCAA titles to his
resume.
Darkhorses Joey Dance
Virginia Tech, Alan Waters Missouri and Thomas Gilman Iowa
It's hard to believe that as well as he wrestled last season, that Dance was
only a year removed from high school. As a true freshman, he finished 4th in
the nation. If he was that good as a true freshman, it's plausible to imagine
he'll be even better this year as a sophomore. Perhaps he'll be good enough
to contend with Delgado, Megaludis and Garrett.
More of a question mark than Dance, will be
Missouri's Alan Waters who will be
finishing up his
career this year for the Tigers after
redshirting this past season. Waters could prove within due time to be NCAA
champion material.
Lastly, Hawkeye sophomore Gilman could pose a threat to the NCAA crown as
well as he has proved his ability to defeat top competition in the past.
MY PICK:
Nico Megaludis Penn
State - He's been in
the kingdom, and he's worn everything but the crown. They say it's very
difficult to do something three times in a row, and I think Delgado will have
to settle for the silver or bronze medal this year, as Megaludis takes the
gold. I think he's too technical and reactive for Garrett and I don't see
Dance, Gilman or Waters giving him any trouble come do or die time either.
133lbs
The Forerunners - A.J.
Schopp Edinboro
At the time being Schopp looks to add an individual NCAA crown as a part of
the Fighting
Scotts hopes for a top four NCAA team
finish. He looks unstoppable and
unbeatable on
paper at the time being, putting him a
notch above the rest.
Darkhorses - Cody Brewer
Oklahoma, Mason Beckman Lehigh, Johnni DiJulius and Cory Clark Iowa
Brewer has steadily improved each year during his time thus far as a sooner.
The two time All American proved his ability more than once during his career
to defeat opponents that he has previously lost to. He's a quick and dangerous
wrestler who could give Schopp some fits this season.
Beckman at the current time is ranked 2nd under Amateur Wrestling
Newsmagazine's (AWN) current rankings, after finishing 6th in the nation last
year. I don't see him holding that ranking throughout the season, as I
believe he'll be vulnerable to lose a couple of matches here and there.
However, I dare not count him out in his abilities to be an NCAA champion.
DiJulius is perhaps the most unpredictable, thus dangerous wrestler at this
weight class. When on, as he proved last season with wins over
Northern Iowa's Joe Colon, he has the skills to beat
anyone. Yet, when off, he also has the opportunity to be beaten by anyone.
Clark most certainly showed promise of an NCAA
title at 125 lbs and it'll only be a matter of time before the Hawkeye
sophomore proves the same at 133.
MY PICK: Johnni DiJulius Ohio State - As a rather big fan of Brewer's I'd
love to see him atop the award stand this year, but I have a gut feeling that
it'll be DiJulius who takes the Division I wrestling world by storm this
season. After a disappointing BIG 10 and
NCAA tournament last season, I see the Buckeye
junior perhaps even going undefeated this season. At the current time he is
ranked 7th by AWN.
141
The Forerunners -
Logan Stieber Ohio
State
Stieber, need I say more? The Buckeye senior looks to become only the fourth
four time NCAA champion in the history of NCAA Division I wrestling this
season. The chances of anyone keeping him from this feat are slim to none.
He's one of the all time greatest wrestlers that has ever graced the mat and
most likely will walk off the mat crowned champion at the end of the year.
Darkhorses Mitchel
Port Edinboro and Zain
Retherford Penn State
If there is anyone that can do the impossible and knock Stieber off his
throne it is Fighting Scott senior Port. Port will show Stieber no respect
and go after him with a license to kill. As one of the most exciting and
exhilarating wrestlers in Division I wrestling today, look for Port to be
Stieber's biggest concern.
Retherford has already proved his ability to defeat Stieber as he caught the
Buckeye off guard during a duel meet and upset him. While I don't see Stieber
allowing this to happen again, I won't count it out as a possibility.
MY PICK:
Logan Stieber
Ohio State - I just don't see anyone
keeping Stieber from winning four NCAA titles this season. If anyone is going
to do it though, I hope that it is Port. I don't see that happening though.
149 lbs
The Forerunners - Jason
Tsirtsis Northwestern, Josh Kindig Oklahoma State, Hunter Stieber Ohio State,
David Habat Edinboro and Drake Houdashelt Missouri
The 149 lbs weight class is one of the most competitive weight classes in
NCAA Division I wrestling this upcoming season. Even though sophomore
Tsirtsis returns as the champion, I don't count his chances of repeating any
greater than the other four men listed alongside him. The parity at this
weight class is unreal and those listed as the forerunners aren't the only
ones capable of winning this year's championships at 149 lbs.
Darkhorses - Chris
Villalonga Cornell and Jake Sueflohn Nebraska
It's rather ironic that two of the very best wrestlers in the nation, going
into their senior year, who have yet to be crowned All Americans would be in
the same weight class, but they are. Both Villalonga and Sueflohn has proven
their ability to beat anyone and be NCAA champions. While even getting on the
podium has eluded them thus far throughout their careers, I have no doubt
that both will be on the podium this year and that the very top of it is a
very realistic possibility for either.
MY PICK: Jake Sueflohn
Nebraska - Thinking
back over the years, I am reminded of Ben Cherrington of
Boise State
every time I see Sueflohn. A wrestler who after finishing shy of All American
status a couple of times during his career, ended it with an undefeated
season and an NCAA title. I don't see Sueflohn going undefeated as 149 lbs is
just too competitive of a weight class for that, but I do see him wrestling
as he is capable and winning both a BIG 10 and NCAA crown at the end of the
year.
157 lbs
Forerunners - Dylan Ness
Minnesota - James Green Nebraska - Ian Miller Kent State - Brian Realbuto
Cornell
Golden Gopher fans would like me to erase the other three names above,
pointing out Ness's fall over Green at last year's NCAA championships and
Husker fans would like me to erase the other three names, pointing out that
Ness's fall over Green was a "fluke" and that Green defeated him
7-3 with three takedowns at the BIG 10's. Nevertheless I keep all four names
above as forerunners for the simple fact that neither
Ness
nor Green has had much luck in the field of consistency. Both Miller and
Realbuto stand legitimate chances of knocking off either or both.
Darkhorses Nick
Brascetta
Virginia Tech,
Dylan Alton
Penn State
and Max Schneider Cal Poly
If you wanted true darkhorse predidtions you just got three of them. I'm
interested to see how Brascetta does up a weight class as he returns off of a
redshirt this season. Two years ago he finished in 8th place at 149 lbs and
according to some of the Hokie faithful looks to be a serious contender this
year at 157.
Alton if 100%
healthy, both physically and mentally, is one of the best wrestlers in the
nation, I don't care what anyone says. If he is on, and wrestling to his
potential, he'll beat
Ness, he'll beat Green
and he'll beat anyone else in his path as well. The key word here is healthy.
I'd love to see the senior go out having ended his career on a high note.
After finishing third as a freshman, including two wins over Green that
season, I'd hate to see him have yet another disappointing season like the
last two.
You wont' get a bolder prediction out of me as far as potential NCAA
champions go than Schneider. A rather non discussed and unknown wrestler thus
far, I believe he will turns heads with a huge upset more than once this
season. The Mustang sophomore wrestles a very in your face, aggressive style
similar to that of
Virginia's
Jedd Moore who always gave Green trouble on the mat. Green needs space to
execute his lightning fast takedowns and Schneider won't allow any of that
space to accumulate if the two of them wrestle. I'm excited to see if
Schneider ends up being as good as I think he will.
MY PICK: I don't want to say right now. It's just too competitive of a weight
class, with way too much parity for me to make my prediction at the time
being. I will say though that I do not think it will be Green. No offense to
the guy, I'd be more than happy to see him end his career as champion, but I
don't think he'll win it. I think he suffers from the "must lose a match
at the NCAA tournament" curse that
Oklahoma's Sam Hazewinkle suffered from
years ago. I'm not sure who will knock him off, but if I be a betting man,
I'd bet someone will.
165
The Forerunners- Alex Dieringer Oklahoma State
After graduation, 165 lbs looks to be the weakest weight class out of the ten
for 2015. Even though Dieringer is moving up for 157, I believe he'll prove
to be far too strong, quick, technical and athletic for his opposition to
pose him much, if any of a threat.
Darkhorses Nick Sulzer
Virginia -
Mike
Moreno Iowa
State - Nick Moore Iowa
- Cory Mock Chattanooga
The battle amongst these gladiators will be for the silver medal more so than
it will be for the gold, but nevertheless I will acknowledge their chances.
Sulzer at the time being seems the most likely to knock off Dieringer after
an impressive 4th place finish last season.
Moreno has steadily and impressively
improved on a tremendous level over the years and could prove to have
improved to the level of national champion status.
Moore has proven his ability to defeat top
competition in the past, but also has a history of severely underperforming
in big tournaments. Perhaps this will be the Hawkeye senior's year to finally
put it all together. Mock, after having a solid season, which included a
conference title, had a disappointing NCAA tournament. Much like
Moore, the Moc senior
has but one last chance to put it all together.
MY PICK:
Alex Dieringer Okahoma
State - Unless the 8
lbs difference between 157 and 165 proves to be a world of difference in
strength, I just don't see anyone giving him any trouble whatsoever. I hate
it when weight classes are an open and shut case, but I strongly feel that be
the case here.
174 lbs
The Forerunners - Logan
Storley
Minnesota - Robert Kokesh
Nebraska -
Matt
Brown Penn
State - Mike Evans Iowa
There is enough drama between the four of these guys that I could almost
pitch a television series about it to NBC. All four of these guys are seniors
and all four of these guys have seen one another multiple times throughout
their careers. They're all equal in ability, not a single one of them has an
advantage above the other. They'll finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th at the NCAA's
respectively, but in what exact order, no one knows.
Darkhorses - There
aren't any. I'll eat my hat if anyone other than these four wrestlers is
crowned the NCAA champion at 174 lbs this season.
MY PICK: Mike Evans
Iowa
- Yeah, I'm going to be a homer. Go ahead and call me biased, I'm fine with
that. Evans is one of my favorite guys, and I want to see him win an NCAA
title. He'll have to wrestle better than he did in the consolation bracket at
the NCAA's last year. Nevertheless, I see him doing just that.
184 lbs
The Forerunners - Gabe
Dean Cornell and Jack Dechow Old Dominion
After not only finishing 3rd in the nation but also doing the impossible and
defeating the undefeatable Ed Ruth, you'd think that the Big Red sophomore
would have easy pickings for the 2015 185 lbs crown, but right behind him is
fellow sophomore Dechow of Old Dominion. I look forward to the fierce battles
between these two this season.
darkhorses - None. I
believe that Dean is really a Gorilla in a human suit, he is so flipping
strong. His offense is unstoppable and his defense is impermeable. Dechow is
virtually the same. The only one defeating either of these guys, is each
other.
MY PICK: Gabe Dean Cornell - While I'd like to see Dean be given some
competition, I think that he'll not only win the title this year, but win it
the next three years in a row. Unless someone with immense talent and ability
comes along, I don't see Dean ever tasting defeat during his collegiate
career again.
197 lbs
The Forerunners J'Den
Cox
Missouri - Scott Schiller
Minnesota - Kyven
Gadson Iowa State
Cox seems to be the most favorable pick, as he returns looking to add another
title to his already impressive resume this year as a sophomore. Looking to
knock him off will be Golden Gopher Schiller and Cyclone Gadson, who both
want to be atop the podium in their final seasons. All three stand good
chance of doing just that.
Darkhorses Taylor
Meeks Oregon
State
After a very disappointing NCAA tournament last season, you wouldn't think
Meeks capable of winning an NCAA title, but hear me now and hear me clear, if
he wrestles anything like he did two years ago, he'll be the man to beat at
197 lbs. He's a precocious and precarious wrestler with the ability to pin.
MY PICK:
Taylor
Meeks Oregon
State - I have a lot of
faith in the Beaver senior. I see him totally redeeming himself after a head
scratching disappointing season last year and I think he'll not only defeat
the competition, I think he'll annihilate it. I'm very excited to see him on
the mat this year.
HWT
The Forerunners -
Nick Gwiazdowski
North Carolina State, Mike McMullan Northwestern and
Adam Coon Michigan
Gwiazdowski is the returning NCAA champion, but I don't think his chances are
any greater than that of McMullan's or Coons. Many may wonder why I put
Coon's name on the list yet leave off
Oklahoma
State's Austin Marsden and
Iowa's Bobby Telford.
It's simple. Coon simply fell apart at the end of the year after having a
phenomenal rookie season. It won't happen again. He was simply a new kid, in
a new place and he let the atmosphere get to him. That's all it was. He'll
contend for the NCAA title his last three years as a Wolverine, I guarantee
it. Marsden was very lucky to even be an All American last year, as the
referee literally stripped it from the hands of
Boise State's
J.T. Felix and handed to him on a silver platter. Marsden will most likely
repeat at an All American this season, but it won't be anywhere near first.
As for
Telford, I like the guy and hope to
see him do well, but he's proven an inability to put together a good string
of matches. He can defeat anyone, but he won't defeat them all in three day
stretch. I see him finishing somewhere between 4th and 6th.
Darkhorses - Kyle
Colling
Arizona
State
Who? Is that what you're saying? If you are, that's fine at the moment, but
you won't be saying "Who?" about a month into the season. Colling
is under the radar, but won't be for long. With such wins as that over
Indiana's Adam
Chalfant, look for the Sun Devil senior to prove his worth this year with
many notable wins.
MY PICK: Mike McMullan Northwestern - It's hard for me to believe that
McMullan is coming into his final season as a Wildcat. After finishing
3rd-2nd-3rd, I think he'll make like I believe Megaludis will as well, and
finish out his illustrious career as an NCAA champion.
Quick Recap
125 - Nico Megaludis
133 - Johnni DiJulius
141 - Logan Stieber
149 - Jake Sueflohn
157 - Currently Undecided
165 - Alex Dieringer
174 - Mike Evans
184 - Gabe Dean
197 - Taylor Meeks
HWT - Mike McMullan
NOTE: Since writing this I have heard
that both Penn State’s Dylan Alton and Arizona State’s Kyle Colling will be
out with injuries.