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| Ryan Crookham Lehigh |
An outstanding season for the young freshman last season, who went 24-1 over all capturing a 3rd place finish at the NCAA championships & titles won at both the Princeton Open & the EIWA championships. Many thought that after winning the 2023 NCAA DI title that Vito Arujau would never face defeat again. Crookham defeated him twice by scores of 8-4 and 10-6. Now he's the one with the target on his back, looking to try and go undefeated in '24-'25.
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| Dylan Ragusin Michigan |
The Wolverine looks to become a 5 time NCAA qualifier this year. Finishing 5th in the NCAA & 2nd at the BIG 10's, he won titles at both the Michigan State Open and the Midlands. What is most notable about Ragusin, is his ability to turn even the ugliest of losses into wins. He was tech'd by Dylan Shawver at the BIG 10's by a score of 23-8, yet came back to defeat Shawver at the NCAA's 9-3. Mental toughness defined.
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| Nasir Bailey Little Rock |
It was only a matter of time before Arkansas' only NCAA DI wrestling program produced its first All American, and they did so with Nasir Bailey capturing a 4th place finish. Only a freshman, he'll soon break and hold pretty much every record there is to break and hold for the Trojans. A PAC-12 champion, he finished 3rd at the Southern Scuffle, going 21-4 overall.
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| Dylan Shawver Rutgers |
Dylan Shawver seems to have an on and off switch. When it's turned to the on position, I think he could be capable of defeating anyone at the 133 lbs weight class. He looked his best at the BIG 10's, winning gold, including a 23-8 technical fall over Dylan Ragusin, who otherwise beat him three times last season. 7th at the NCAA's, he made the Midlands finals & he was 3rd at the Black Knight Invitational.
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| Kai Orine North Carolina State |
Back to back 8th place All American finishes at the NCAA's, Kai Orine will also look to become a three time ACC champion in his final season of competition. A CKLV champion last year, he'll also go for more gold in sin city.
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| Tyler Wells Minnesota |
Great season for Tyle Wells, who nearly made All American status last year in his first season as a Golden Gopher. Owned a 5-2 sudden victory over All American Dylan Shawver.
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| Lucas Byrd Illinois |
In my opinion, here is the biggest question mark concerning 133 lbs in NCA A DI wrestling this season. A two time All American finishing 5th in 2021 and 2022, I say if Lucas Byrd is 100% and healthy, we're looking at an NCAA DI title contender. If, being the operative word. He was injured last season, and we all know how unpredictable comebacks from injuries can be. To give more context, Byrd is 3 and 1 over all in matches against Ragusin.
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| Ramazan Attasauov Illinois |
Just found out that former Iowa State wrestler Ramazan Attasauov has joined the Fighting Illini. An NCAA qualifier for the Cyclones in 2022, he wrestled a dozen matches or so in 2023, then disappeared. Having already redshirted earlier in his career, I'm not sure where he was at or what he was up to in '23-'24. He's back now & he not only poses a threat to Byrd for the starting position, but I'd say he's top 12 material in the nation if not better. Julian Farber, Cullen Schriever, Eathan Oakley, those are just a few of the names he's defeated on the mat.
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| Evan Frost Iowa State |
Regardless of how warm our winters may have gotten in Iowa, I guarantee you at least in Ames, we're still going to see quite a bit of Frost. Evan Frost that is. Only a freshman last season, Frost is one of the reasons so many are excited about Cyclone wrestling as of late. The young Cyclone captured a 6th place finish at the NCAA's, making the finals of both the BIG 12 and CKLV championships.
Then we also have Adrian Meza, a true freshman who took RENO runner-up honors last season. Pretty sure Meza will be redshirting this year, but I'd love to know what happens in the room between him and Frost.
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| Aaron Nagao Penn State |
5th in the NCAA in 2023, things didn't quite go Aaron Nagao's way last year, as being upset eventually led him to finishing one match shy of another All American honor. Despite is disappointing outcome, Nagao wrestles for Penn State, and the Nittany Lions if they're ever down, don't stay down long. He'll bounce back in a strong way. 17 wins on the year, he won the Black Knight Invitational and he was 3rd at the BIG 10's.
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| Nic Bouzakis Ohio State |
Another among the vast young talent in this weight class. Nic Bouzakis suffered a few bumps in the road, typical of many in their freshman season. Yet he also had many triumphs along the way as well. 25 wins on the season, he took but 51 seconds to stick Kai Orine & he nearly majored Aaron Nagao 13-7. While he did have to rely on a wildcard to get into the NCAA's, he looked exceptionally good at CKLV, capturing a 3rd place finish.
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| Brett Ungar Cornell |
It's always hard to tell how someone will do when they switch weight classes. Knowing Brett Ungar, I'd say he'll do pretty well in the move up to 133 lbs. He's a two time NCAA qualifier, who has made the past two EIWA finals competing at 125 lbs.
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| Connor McGonagle Virginia Tech |
Spending most of his career at Lehigh, Connor McGonagle will finish up as a Hokie for Virginia Tech. A two time NCAA qualifier, he won the Appalachian State Moutaineer Open last season. It's also safe to predict that he could give Kai Orine a run for his money concerning the ACC title. McGonagle after all owns a 4-1 decision over one of the leaders of the Wolfpack.
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| Marlon Yarbrough Virginia |
McGonagle and Orine aren't the only two who will have their sights set on winning an ACC title this season. Sophomore Marlon Yarbrough will also be in the mix. 8th in the Midlands, he was 3rd at the ACC. He scored an impressive 13-5 major over Aaron Nagao as well.
I'll also throw in a word for a tough Gable Porter, who was 5th at the Southeast Open last year.
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| Braden Basile Army |
It's been a while since Army has crowned an All American. They have some tough kids on their team and in my estimation, one of their best is Braden Basile. 6th at the Southern Scuffle and a runner-up at the Black Knight Invitational, he had a rather impressive run at the EIWA's capturing 3rd place. An 8-5 s.v. over Dylan Shawver on the year, he had 25 victories in total.
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| Jacob Van Dee Nebraska |
The lower weights are full of youth and talent, and here's another example of it. Jacob Van Dee had 23 wins in his first season of varsity, one of which included a 3-2 victory over All American Dylan Ragusin. 4th in the BIG 10's, he took runner-up finishes at both the Navy Classic and the Soldier Salute.
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| Julian Chlebove Arizona State |
It was 19 wins on the season for the Sun Devil who finished as the PAC-12 runner-up last season. He was also 7th in the Midlands championships.
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| Kurt Phipps Bucknell |
Kurt Phipps is a wrestler I feel really turned it on and turned it up last season. The Bison of Bucknell in total have crowned six All Americans (six individuals, totaling 10 awards altogether), and if they're to crown a 7th in 2025, Phipps is it. A match away from being an All American last year, he won titles at both the Navy Classic & the Southern Scuffle. 7th & 4th thus far in EIWA competition, he had 28 victories on the year.
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| Domenic Zaccone Campbell |
Taking a look at SOCON competition, one of the contenders for a conference title this season will be Domenic Zaccone, who finished as the SOCON runner-up last season. 25 wins on the year, the three time NCAA DI qualifier also took 4th place finishes at both CKLV and the Franklin and Marshall Invite.
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| Dom Serrano Northern Colorado |
Here's a guy that made some serious strides last year. 13-13 in his first season of varsity competition, Dom Serrano took a redshirt in 2023, and came back to finish a strong 25-6 in 2024. 2nd at the Southern Scuffle and 3rd in the BIG 12's, Serrano scored a 5-3 decision over All American Nasir Bailey.
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| Zeth Romney Cal Poly |
I've been excited about the growth and improvement of Cal Poly wrestling and Zeth Romney is a big part of it. 19 wins on the season, he had 3rd place finishes at both the Midlands and the PAC 12's.
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| Ethan Oakley Appalachian State |
Another candidate for the SOCON title this year will obviously be last year's champion Ethan Oakley. The Mountaineer is a two time NCAA DI qualifier, who on a 28-9 record last season, also took runner-up honors at the Appalachian State Mountaineer Open and 8th place at CKLV.
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| Braxton Brown Maryland |
The two time NCAA qualifier, won the "A Better Way" championship last year, placing 3rd at the Franklin & Marshall Invite & 6th at the BIG 10's.
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| Kade Moore Missouri |
Here's a guy I'm really anxious to see compete this year. Last year as a freshman he qualified for the NCAA's, ending his season on an 11-7 record. Had some nasty losses, but here's what has me keeping an eye on him. He gave two time NCAA DI champ Vitali Arujau a scare, coming within one point of the Big Red phenom in a 10-9 loss.
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| Tyler Knox Stanford |
Despite how much it may bug "No support from me" Bernard Muir, the Cardinal of Stanford have a pretty respectable squad, and one of their best guys will be Tyler Knox, a freshman who redshirted last season. 10 wins on the season, he majored Nic Bouzakis 11-3, taking 5th place finishes at both CKLV and the Southern Scuffle.
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| Ryan Miller Alex Almeyda Pennsylvania |
Among the many great wrestle-offs to take place in '24-'25, I believe one of them will be at 133 lbs for the Quakers of Pennsylvania. Ryan Miller a two time NCAA qualifier at 125 lbs, who posted a 20-6 record last season will be challenged for the starting spot by Alex Almeyda, who won the Keystone Classic.
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| Julian Farber Northern Iowa |
Julian Farber heads into the '24-'25 season having posted 7th place finishes at both CKLV and the BIG 12. A runner-up finish at the Daktronics Open, he scored a 5-1 victory over Nic Bouzakis.
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| Mason Leiphart Franklin & Marshall |
Under the circumstances, I don't think that Franklin & Marshall gets anywhere near the credit that they deserve. Mike Rogers and staff are doing a great job and one of their best guys is Mason Leiphart. 23 wins on the season, he wasn't afraid to compete. A runner-up at the Southeast Open, he was 4th at the Keystone Classic, taking 6th place finishes at both the Midlands and the Franklin and Marshall Invite. Scored an impressive 21-2 technical fall over Marlon Yarbrough.
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| Vinnie Santaniello Pittsburgh |
Santaniello fell short of NCAA qualification last season, placing 4th in the ACC championships. Believe he will contend for NCAA qualification this year. Champion at the Franklin & Marshall invitational, he owns an 11-4 decision over Nic Bouzakis.
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| Gable Strickland Lock Haven |
Gable Strickland heads into the '24-'25 season looking to become a three time MAC champion. Along with winning title #2 last season, he was runner-up at the Franklin & Marshall Invitational, 3rd at the Princeton Open, and 4th at both "A Better Way" and the Navy Classic.
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| Derrick Cardinal South Dakota State |
22 wins on the season for Derrick Cardinal in '23-'24. Winning his home Daktronics Open, he was 6th at CKLV and 4th in the BIG 12 championships.
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| Reece Witcraft Oklahoma State |
Reece Witcraft has been in and out of the lineup his entire career. If he is once again a starter in the Cowboy lineup, he has a track record of helping the in important situations. He's a two time NCAA qualifier, whom will make a third trip to the NCAA's this year, if indeed he's the man for the Cowboys at 133 lbs.
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| Micah Roes Binghamton |
An NCAA qualifier as a freshman for the Bearcats, '24-'25 marks the final opportunity for Micah Roes to make it back to the big dance. He put together a 25-11 record last season.
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| Blake Boarman UT-Chattanooga |
Among the talent in the SOCON, Blake Boarman will challenge both Ethan Oakley and Domenic Zaccone for a conference title this season. 19 wins on the year, Boarman was 4th at the Southern Scuffle.
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| Kyle Burwick North Dakota State |
It's been quite the journey for Kyle Burwick. Wisconsin to Nebraska, the final destination is North Dakota State. A two-time NCAA qualifier, Burwick will look for his third qualification this season. 3rd at the Navy Classic, he stuck two time MAC champion Gable Strickland in 3:28.
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| Kase Mauger Utah Valley |
Despite having a losing record last year, I'm still well aware of the threat that Kase Mauger can be on the mat when he wants to be. 6th at the Southeast Open, he was 8th in the BIG 12 championships.
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| Hunter Leake California Baptist |
18 wins on the season for NCAA qualifier Hunter Leake last year. Champion at the Bakersfield Open, he was 6th in the BIG 12.
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| Hunter Adrian Brown |
The Bears of Brown haven't had an NCAA qualifier since 2019. If they are to send anyone this season, I say it could very well be Hunter Adrian. 3rd at "A Better Way," he defeated two time MAC champion Gable Strickland 4-1.
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| Dyson Dunham VMI |
Dyson Dunham came out of nowhere last year to take 3rd at the SOCON and qualify for the NCAA championships. He had 22 wins on the season.
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| Cody Phelps Michigan State |
It's been a while since the Spartans of Michigan State have had a standout star at the 125 lbs weight class. They have a chance to this season in an excellent recruit from Western Wyoming, Cody Phelps. The two time Plains District champion won the NJCAA title last season & was 3rd in 2023.
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| Kasey Curtis Utah Valley |
A transfer from Snow, Kasey Curtis a West District runner-up will push Kase Mauger in the room.
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