Redshirt, Returnees and Newcomers to look forward to in 2016

Stevan Micic

Northwestern - Freshman

Projected weight: 125

We had a ton of outstanding freshmen this season in 2015.   National
 champions Nathan Tomasello of Ohio State and Illinois's Isaiah Martinez leading the way we also saw the phenomenal talent of B.J. Clagon of Rider, Willie Miklus of Missouri, Kevin Jack of North Carolina State, Zach Epperly of Virginia Tech, Kevin Devoy of Drexel, Zeke Moisey of West Virginia, Anthony Ashnault of Rutgers, Brandon Sorenson of Iowa, Alec Pantaleo of Michigan, Bo Jordan of Ohio State, Matt McCutcheon of Penn State and Kyle Snyder of Ohio State.   Then to think, that's not nearly half!   When I say that 2015 was absolutely loaded with talented freshman, I by all means mean it!  What does the 2016 season have to offer?  No doubt, another class of newcomers who will take the wrestling world by storm.   My pic for the best of the best of the 2016 freshmen?   Stevan Micic of Northwestern.   The three time Indiana State champion, wrestled a very impressive redshirt season this past year, taking third at the Midlands.  He wrestled All American Thomas Gilman of Iowa (4th at the NCAA's) to a very tight 4-3 decision.  He also owns a 13-1 major decision and a 4-1 decision over Edinboro's Kory Mines, who made the R12 at this year's NCAA tournament.   I think Micic will make immediate impact, and prove himself a contender for the 2016 NCAA title at 125 lbs from day one.

Jake Sueflohn

Nebraska - Senior

Projected weight: 149 lbs

If you had to name the best wrestler going into the 2015-2016, who has yet to be crowned an All American, it'd be hard to name anyone more worthy of that title than Nebraska's Jake Sueflohn.  Out with an injury all of last season, it'll be interesting to see how he wrestles next season.  Sometimes injuries have a dramatic effect and wrestlers come back half as good as they were before or worse, and then other times they come back stronger and better than ever before.  I hope for the latter, because if a 100% healthy Sueflohn enters the 149 lbs weight class this upcoming season, he'll give Jason Tsirtsis, Brandon Sorenson and anyone else going after the NCAA title, all they can handle.  Look for Sueflohn at one point or another to take the #1 ranking next season.

Tommy Thorn

Minnesota - Freshman

Projected Weight: 141 lbs

Minnesota fans may not be real happy with me projecting Northwestern's Micic as the probable 2016 freshman of the year, and rightly so.   The Golden Gopher's Tommy Thorn ended his redshirt campaign this past season with a record of 32-5, including 11 pins and 10 major decisions.   He'll be an excellent addition to the Gopher lineup this season.

Laike Gardner
Lehigh - Junior
Projected Weight: Not sure

Lehigh looks to be slowly but surely rebuilding their way back to a top 5 team.  You know that as a wrestling fan when you see someone as talented and gifted as Laike Gardner, and you're not exactly sure where he fits into the lineup in 2016.   With returning All American Mason Beckman at 133 lbs and Randy Cruz at 141 lbs, I suppose Gardner's best bet might be at 149.   Either that or have Cruz go up to 149 and have Gardner at 141.  Either way, the Mountain Hawk lineup is much better with Gardner in the lineup than it is without.


Darian Cruz
Lehigh - Sophomore
Projected Weight: 125 lbs

Speaking of Lehigh, the Mountain Hawk fans have to be excited about the return of lightweight All American Darian Cruz at 125 lbs.   With his return after a redshirt in 2015, Lehigh's lineup from 125 to 157 is tough.   With Nathanial Brown at 184, Elliott Riddick at 197 and Doug Vollaro at HWT, the only holes are at 174 with the graduation of Santiago Martinez and 184. 



Sam Stoll
Iowa - Freshman
Projected Weight: HWT

The second place in the nation Iowa Hawkeyes lost quite a bit to graduation saying goodbye to workhorse All American Bobby Telford at HWT.   The black and gold faithful have hope that freshman Sam Stoll will be a suitable replacement.   I don't know a whole lot about Stoll other than he had 206 career wins in high school and the last 63 of them were by fall.    I hope that he can carry that style over to college because the Hawkeyes could use a good pinner.


Brody Grothus
Iowa - Junior
Projected weight: 149/157

If you want the best wrestler in the nation who rode the bench in 2015, it might very well be Iowa's Brody Grothus.  As a freshman in 2014, Grothus had a numerous amount of notable wins, including one over NCAA third place finisher Eric Grajales of Michigan.   Unfortunately last year with sensational freshman Brandon Sorensen at 149 lbs and veteran Mike Kelly at 157 lbs, there was nowhere for Grothus in the lineup.  Now that Kelly has graduated and Sorensen may move up to 157, that will make room for Grothus in the lineup.


Dylan Cottrell
West Virginia - Junior
Projected Weight: 149

The former Mountaineer of Appalachian State will become a Mountaineer of West Virginia in the 2015-2016 NCAA wrestling season.  A two time Southern Conference Champion,  Cottrell looks to add a couple of BIG XII titles to his resume before his career is over.  

Davonte Mahomes
Michigan - Freshman
Projected Weight: 174 lbs


Mahomes made a name for himself at this year's Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational with a sixth place finish.   During the 2015 season,  Mahomes owned victories over All American Kurtis Julson of North Dakota State and NCAA qualifier Pete Renda of North Carolina State as well as wrestling four time NCAA All American Logan Storley to Overtime.  While 174 seemed to clear out quite a bit with the graduation of Matt Brown of Penn State, Tyler Wilps of Pittsburgh, Robert Kokesh of Nebraska, Logan Storley of Minnesota and Mike Evans of Iowa, do not kid yourself for a second.  There is plenty of talent making its way to the 174 lbs weight class, and Mahomes is proof of it.



Amaveer Dhesi

Oregon State - Sophomore
Projected weight: HWT


It's not too often that we get to talk about foreigners on college wrestling teams, especially foreigners from Canada.  Dhesi proved to be a fast learner two years ago, as he quickly adapted to folkstyle wrestling after having grown up with only freestyle.   Earning a #16 seed as a freshman and going 2-2 at the NCAA tournament, look for Dhesi to be even better after taking a redshirt in 2015.  No doubt that he has learned a lot and grown tremendously as a wrestler.  Very excited to see him on the mat this year.

Richard Durso

Franklin and Marshall - Senior
Projected Weight: 141 lbs

The Diplomats star wrestler returns for his final season as one of the top dogs at 141 lbs.   Look for Durso to be the top contender for an EIWA conference title and to contend strongly for a NCAA title as well.

Thomas Gantt

North Carolina State - Senior
Projected Weight: 157 lbs

Here's the guy I'm most excited about for this upcoming season.   A darkhorse All American protégé that few are talking about and most have foolishly forgotten about.    Gantt had an extremely impressive third place finish at the Southern Scuffle this past season, and was R12 two years ago as a junior.  Look for Gantt to make a statement this season and help the Wolfpack to its highest finish yet under Coach Pat Popolizio.



Chance Marstellar
Oklahoma State - Freshman
Projected Weight: 149/157 lbs

Another freshman to be excited about is Oklahoma State's Chance Marstellar at 149/157 lbs.  Cowboy fans are sad to see the departure of veteran Josh Kindig, but Marstellar will be an excellent replacement.  I'm not sure if Marstellar will go to 149 lbs, or if Anthony Collica will drop down to 149 and Marstellar will wrestle 157.   Either way, the Cowboys will have a solid lineup.