I've made a countless number of arguments over the years for why the states of Florida and Georgia should have more collegiate opportunities for the phenomenal talent their high schools produce. Today I add yet another merit to the argument.
I took the southern states of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee to see how many kids from those states are currently on Division I rosters. Here's what I found out.
There are currently 154 wrestlers from the south on Division I rosters. Out of the 76 Division I Wrestling Teams, 48 (63%) have Southern wrestlers on their teams.
Here is a by State breakdown
Florida: 40 (Among 28 Teams)
Georgia: 40 (Among 18 Teams)
Texas: 35 (Among 24 Teams)
Tennessee: 16 (Among 8 Teams)
Alabama: 9 (Among 6 Teams)
Kentucky: 7 (Among 6 Teams)
Louisiana: 4 (Among 4 Teams)
Arkansas: 3 (Among 3 Teams)
It is important to note that Arkansas has only had sanctioned wrestling since 2009 and that while Texas had high school wrestling at the private level, they've only had public high school wrestling since 1999. Can you imagine seeing wrestlers from Mississippi on Division I rosters in 2024? That is a very real possibility if high school wrestling were to get sanctioned in the Magnolia state.
And to think this is only showing the Division I talent that these states produce. Imagine Division II, III, NAIA and NJCAA talent being added to the list as well. Imagine NCWA talent being added to the list.
The point of my project is to prove two things. Florida, Georgia and Texas (as well as the other southern states mentioned) produce their fair share (circumstances included) of talent. Secondly when you have 40 kids among 28 teams, 40 kids among 18 teams and 35 kids among 24 teams it proves that these kids want to wrestle in college. For Florida and Texas to only have one officially recognized by the school's athletic department as a varsity sport wrestling program is inexcusable. Georgia has four programs, one Division II and three NAIA, but that if far too little for the vast talent that the state produces. For Shorter to drop their wrestling program this last season, was a real slap in the face to their own kids. Don't misunderstand me, don't misconstrue what I'm saying. I am very thankful as well as praiseful towards Mike Moyer, the NWCA and the hard work that they do in creating wrestling programs around the country. I love the NCWA and the opportunities it creates for our wrestlers that otherwise wouldn't be there. It's simply that these three states ought to have at least one Division I program and as many colleges as they all have, a lot more could stand to have official varsity wrestling programs.
Out of the 76 Division I Wrestling Teams, 48 (63%) have Southern wrestlers on their teams.
That's interesting in itself.
Chattanooga has the most with 22 members of their roster being from the south. Ironically enough Georgia with 10 outnumbering Tennessee with 7. Two from Kentucky, with Louisiana, Alabama and Kentucky all having one.
As Chattanooga is our most "Southern" Division I team, it helps to illustrate that it is possible to field a competitive team made up of local kids or kids from nearby states. Any school in Florida, Georgia and Texas could easily do the same. They wouldn't have to search for kids from Iowa or Pennsylvania or Ohio to come down south to wrestle for them. They have plenty of kids from their own state that would love the opportunity to be able to do so.
Currently Ranked Wrestlers From The South
GEORGIA
#6 Ryan Millhof Arizona State 125 lbs
#8 Sean Russell Edinboro 125 lbs
#8 Taylor Lujan Northern Iowa 174 lbs
#20 Forrest Pryzbysz Appalachian State 174 lbs
#13 Bryce Carr Chattanooga 184 lbs
Also look for Alonzo Allen Chattanooga @ 125 lbs and Chip Ness North Carolina @ 184 lbs to be ranked throughout the year as well.
KENTUCKY
#7 Sean Fausz North Carolina State 125 lbs
Look for Nathan Boston Campbell @ 133 lbs to be ranked throughout the rest of the season.
TEXAS
#7 Jack Mueller Virginia 133 lbs
#1 Bo Nickal Penn State 184 lbs
TENNESSEE
#20 Scottie Boykin Chattanooga 197 lbs
Look for Chris Debein Chattanooga @ 133 lbs to be ranked throughout the rest of the season.
ALABAMA
#9 Brandon Womack Cornell 174 lbs
FLORIDA
#9 Jared Prince Navy 141 lbs
#13 Yoanse Meijas 174 lbs
Look for Kyle Norstrem Virginia Tech @ 125 lbs to be ranked throughout the season.
Also keep in mind that Pat Lugo Iowa @ 149 lbs who is behind #2 Brandon Sorensen is also from Florida.
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