2026 SOUTHERN SCUFFLE PREVEIW - 165!!

 

#5
Matty Bianchi
Little Rock

The 2025 All-American finished 7th in the DI nation last year competing at 157 lbs, but so far 8 lbs up, he is fairing quite well at 165, a current 7-0 on the season.  Based on ranking alone, he is the clear favorite to win a title this weekend, but I'm anxious to see if it's as smooth on the mat, as it is on paper.

#14
Ryan Burton
Virginia Tech 

The Hokies could also start Mac Church here as well, and if they do, Church is a top 8 contender in his own right.  Ryan Burton I would think will either be the *2 or *3 seed, depending on how the seeding committee matches him up with Gunner Filipowicz. 

 

#16
Gunner Filipowicz
Army

The Black Knight has wrestled very well at these championships the past two seasons, winning a title last year & runner-up honors the year before that.  This is a tough bracket & he'll have some challenges if he wants to make the Scuffle finals once again.  Which a three-time Scuffle finalist, would be a great credential to carry around. 

#17
Bryce Hepner
North Carolina

Between injuries, redshirts, & fighting for varsity position at Ohio State, I don't believe we've seen Bryce Hepner at his best yet.  Now that he's at North Carolina & he's the clear starter, I think we might.  I'm very anxious to see how he does this weekend.  He has only one loss so far this season & that's to a very tough L.J. Araujo.  This is a guy that could really take this tournament by storm & be the talk of the weekend. 

#26
Max Norman
Brown

One of the things I love about a tournament like the Southern Scuffle is that it gives us an opportunity to see talent shine from smaller schools, that often get overlooked.  Not everything is the NCAA DI tournament & not everything is going to feature the top 12 wrestlers in each weight class. There are 80 varsity wrestlers per weight class in NCAA DI & I for one appreciate the chance to get to see those ranked between 15th & 33rd compete for honors.  Max Norman of Brown fits that category & the Brown Bear should have a good weekend. 

#30
Tom Snipes
The Citadel

The Bulldog was 5th here a year ago & will be gunning for another top 8 finish this weekend. 

#31
Sean Seefeldt
Pennsylvania

The Quaker has some notable wins as he heads into Chattanooga this weekend. One of which includes a 2-1 tiebreaker over Ryan Burton. 

U.R.
Peyten Kellar
Oklahoma

It's so hard for me to believe that Peyten Kellar has a U.R. next to his name.  An All-American in 2024 & here in the '25-'26 season, isn't even within the top 33.  The fact of the matter is, a few bad matches got him in this predicament & a few good matches could get him out of it.  As Oklahoma fanatic Cradlezone says, "He needs to get his shit together" & the Scuffle provides a perfect opportunity to do just that.  Being unranked will affect his ranking, but head-to-head, there's no one in this bracket beyond his abilities. 

U.R.
Boeden Greenly
North Dakota State

Another tough kid with a U.R. next to his name that is more than capable of having a # next to it instead.  Greenly was 4th here a year ago & owns a 4-1 s.v. over Snipes. 

U.R. 
Anthony Ferrari
Campbell

The overlooked & forgotten about Ferrari brother.  Everyone everywhere has something to say about A.J. & most everyone is excited about the potential of Angelo. Few have much to say about Anthony, but that's why tournaments like this exist. If there's a time to break through, step out of the shadows & make a name for yourself, this is it.  Among the place-winner candidates this weekend, will be the Camel.  Owns a 5-4 decision over Seefeldt, btw. 

U.R.
Tanner Peake
Davidson

Injuries could stand to leave this kid alone for a while, because he has the talent & potential to be an NCAA DI qualifier for the Wildcats this season, if he can just stay healthy.  He was one match shy of placing here last season & whether it's a win or a loss, I see him in that bloodround match yet again. 

U.R.
D.J. Shannon
Michigan State

D.J. Shannon is one of those wrestlers that won't give you a single reason to include his name on the list of potential place-winners for a tournament & then turn around & wrestle well enough to where you feel like a complete idiot for leaving his name off the list.  Every season he pulls off a, "How in the Hell did he win that?" match or two.  Can't say for sure it'll be this weekend, but guess what?  I can't say it won't be either. 

2026 SOUTHERN SCUFFLE PREVIEW - 184!!

 

Once again a look at....

Who contends for a title?

Who contends for making the finals?

Who contends for a top 8 finish here in Chattanooga? 

#5
Jaxon Smith
Maryland

Among the many accomplishments & credentials the All-American has already earned during his collegiate career, a Southern Scuffle title looks to be added this weekend. 

#11
Brian Soldano
Oklahoma

Wanting to make his mark within his new home & solidify himself as All-American material, Brian Soldano will be among those challenging Jaxon Smith for a Scuffle title this weekend. 

#17
Aiden Brenot
North Dakota State

Ranking may not suggest it, but results do.  The NCAA DI R12'er, has thus far been 7th & 4th in these championships and will look to challenge for the title this weekend.  Among Aiden Brenot's wins, a 4-2 decision over Jake Gilfoil, a 12-2 major over A.J. Heeg & a 4:15 fall over Brock Delsignore. 

#22
Jaden Bullock
Virginia Tech

Yet another contender for the Scuffle title here at 197?  I'd say so.  Jaden Bullock gave Jaxon Smith a 4-1 matchup & furthermore he has both a 13-3 & 12-4 win over Brian Soldano. 

#25
Caleb Campos
American

Coach Jason Borrelli is looking to put some of his Eagles on the award stand this weekend in Chattanooga & Caleb Campos is one of them. 

#30
Christan Hansen
Cornell

The young Big Red has thus far had some impressive wins in his career & could very well open up some eyes this tournament.  Owns a 7-5 decision over Jaden Bullock. 

U.R. 
A.J. Heeg
Northern Colorado

Unranked at the moment, A.J. Heeg is yet to wrestle a match in '25-'26.  If he does make his debut this weekend, the fact that he made the finals last season is enough to suggest what he is capable of. 

U.R.
Brock DelSignore
Little Rock

Despite currently being out of Intermat's top 33 at 184,, Brock DelSignore is more than a threat to making the top 8 here in George McIntyre's home town.  The Trojan owns a 5-1 decision over last year's finalist A.J. Heeg & he took probable *1 seed Jaxon Smith into sudden victory the last time they met.  he also owns a 17-2 tech over Tomas Brooker. 

U.R.
Jake Gilfoil
Army

The Black Knights are very capable of heading east out of Chattanooga with a good helping of post-Christmas hardware this weekend.  Among their place-winner candidates, Jake Gilfoil who was 8th here a year ago. 

(Redshirting)
Asher Cunningham
Penn State

You knew I was going to add Asher Cunningham to the list of place-winner candidates.  It'd be stupid not to. 

U.R.
Tomas Brooker
Appalachian State

If you look at this picture carefully, you can see that the singlet reads, "Darkhorse."  How appropriate.  If there be a darkhorse in this bracket, Tomas Brooker is it.  I've seen this guy get it handed to him on the mat & then turn around weeks later & beat the same guy!!  Brooker finishing top 12 here at the Scuffle would not surprise me at all. Neither would him winning that blood-round match & making the top 8. 

U.R.
Dom Baker
Virginia

The name Dom Baker is one that has completely fallen off the radar.  A couple of years ago, competing for Campbell at 165 lbs, he was both a contender for a SOCON conference title & among those within the top 25.  He's not in that category yet at 184, now competing for Virginia.  That doesn't mean that he can't be or that he won't be.  I've said it 1,000 times over the years & I'm saying it again now.  It only takes one good tournament & than "Whammo! You're back!"  I imagine we will see some examples of that this week.  Perhaps Baker will be an example here at the Scuffle. 

2026 SOUTHERN SCUFFLE PREVIEW - 197 !!

 

Who's fighting for Scuffle gold? 

Who's fighting for a spot in the Scuffle finals? 

Who's gonna be Scuffle top 8? 

Let's take a look! 

(Reserve)
Conner Mirasola
Penn State

Let me tell you a few of little facts about Conner Mirasola.  1 - He's one of the best 197 lbs'ers in NCAA DI wrestling.  2 - He is & will remain a backup to Josh Barr this season.  3 - He'll show himself as one of the best backups in the entire country by contending for the Scuffle title this weekend.  BTW, he won last year's Scuffle. 

#3
Stephen Little
Little Rock

I find it difficult to believe that if both Conner Mirasola & Stephen Little enter the Southern Scuffle, that our final will be anything but.  I do believe strongly that Conner Mirasola is a top 8 197 lbs'er in the NCAA & I'd like to see what he can do against a multiple time All-American like Little. 

#9
D.J. Parker
Oklahoma

Intermat ranking suggest that D.J. Parker is our favorite for a Scuffle bronze this weekend, but I dare not call it a shoe-in.  As I said, Mirasola Vs Little feels like a very, very probable final, but I'm not 100% sold on what our consolation final will look like.  Lot's of good talent in this bracket, Parker one of them. 

#15
Branson John
Maryland

I'll continue the theory that the real story at 197 lbs will be the war for bronze.  Among those in the battle, Branson John. 

#17
Sonny Sasso
Virginia Tech

Sonny Sasso used his long, lanky reach last season to capture a 3rd place finish at last year's Scuffle.  It would not surprise me at all to see him do the exact same thing this tournament. 

#24
Wolfgang Frable
Army

The Black Knight was 4th here a year ago & will once again be looking for a solid finish. 

#27
Andrew Reall
Brown

I've actually surprised myself with the number of Brown Bears I can see making top 8 status this weekend. A program that has struggled in more recent times, it is refreshing to see them making strides.  Andrew Reall, among their place-winner candidates. 

#31
Kael Wisler
Michigan State

A candidate for top 8, Kael Wisler of Michigan State. 

U.R.
Josh McCutcheon
Gardner-Webb

I've already named 8 wrestlers I see fighting for a spot on the award stand & naming Josh McCutcheon now makes 9.  The Runnin' Bulldog was 8th here a year ago & looks to become a two-time Scuffle place-winner this weekend.  


There's gonna be an odd man out?  Maybe even more than one, but these are the 9 I see gunning for place-winner status this weekend. 

2026 SOUTHERN SCUFFLE PREVIEW - HWT!!

 

9 ranked wrestlers, HWT could end up the most fun of all the weight classes here at the Southern Scuffle!  How are things gonna shape up?  Let's see! 

(Reserve)
Lucas Cochran
Penn State

Lucas Cochran lost an official 3-1 decision to teammate Cole Mirasola at the Black Knight Invitational back in November. Does this mean that the spot is officially Mirasola's come BIG 10's?  I don't know.  What I can tell you is that Mirasola won the Scuffle title a year ago.  I can also tell you that I'm gonna guess that Sanderson sends Cochran instead of Mirasola this year for the simple fact that at the time being Cochran is the reserve.  To give you an idea of what Cochran is capable of this tournament, this is a guy with wins such as Yaraslau Slavikouski, All-American. 

#14
Jimmy Mullen
Virginia Tech

HWT in the Scuffle is full of a lot of good talent & I for one am anxious to see how it all unfolds this weekend.  Jimmy Mullen has the highest rank of anyone that will be competing in this bracket.  Will that still be the case once the tournament is a said & done thing? 

#18 Brady Colbert Or Lucas Stoddard
Army

One of the things I'm most impatiently anticipating is exactly what Army is going to do at 285 lbs.  Brady Colbert was 3rd here a year ago, but guess what? Lucas Stoddard is a two-time Southern Scuffle runner-up.  You'd think with Colbert currently holding the ranking, that he'd get the nod on the start, but I'm not thinking much of anything until I see it on paper.  These types of situations are tricky & I can see a Coaching staff making a decision either way.  Both of these guys a high place-winner candidates. 

#22
Juan Mora
Oklahoma

I suppose I could also include Brad Hill as I speak of Juan Mora.  Hill after all was 7th here a year ago, competing at 197 lbs.  However, I'm pretty sure that Mora has more or less cemented himself as the Sooner HWT for '25-'26 & I think we'll see him in action this weekend. 

#24
Connor Barkett
Duke

Like I said before in some of the other analyses that I've done on the other weights, all things considered, it is rewarding to see the Blue Devils of Duke have success on the mat.  Connor Barkett was 7th here a year ago & I ask myself, can he make the finals among this competition? 

The rest of the ranked talent 

Before the start of the tournament, it is hard for me to separate the rest of the ranked talent, because as of right now (might feel very differently post tournament) they're all pretty much in the same boat.  None of them has faced one another yet & they're all ranked rather closely to one another.  All strong candidates for a top 8 finish. 

U.R.
Xavier Doolin
Morgan State

 And of course, there will be some unranked talent looking to make some noise as well!  I'm excited this tournament because I think this will be a time for Monday to show that he is doing something in Baltimore & while it may take some more time, efforts are being made to rebuild the restored program. Doolin was 6th here a year ago. 

U.R.
Daulton Mayer
Bellarmine

This kid can't seem to catch much of a break.  Anytime he does something exciting or noteworthy, it either gets ignored or dismissed as being less of an accomplishment than what it actually is.  Yet he loses a match that he shouldn't, and the rankers are all over that. He was 8th here a year ago & at worst I see him finishing at least top 12 year once again. 

2026 SOUTHERN SCUFFLE PREVEIW - 157!!

 

Now for a look at 157 lbs.  Who's in the hunt for gold? Who's in the hunt to make the finals?  Who's in the hunt to make the top 8? 

#7
Meyer Shapiro
Cornell

The next highest ranked wrestler in this potential bracket is Jude Swisher & thus far Meyer Shapiro has pretty much had his way with the Quaker every time the two have stepped on the mat.  19-2, 15-0, and the closest contest a 6-2 decision.  Shapiro also owns a 20-3 tech over Jaivon Jones & a 4:17 fall over Colton Washleski.  A clear favorite?  ....maybe. 

(Redshirting)
Tyler Kasak
Penn State

Sanderson is going to send some of his redshirts/reserves to Chattanooga this weekend, but I'm not 100% positive if Tyler Kasak will be one of them. IF he is, without a doubt, Shapiro has himself a very tough challenge for Scuffle gold. 

#13
Jude Swisher
Pennsylvania

A strong candidate to make the finals if there is no Kasak & a strong candidate to win the Scuffle title if there is no Shapiro.  He'll have some tough competition & it would not be a shoe-in, but the All-American hopeful should have a very good tournament this weekend. 

#15
Cody Chittum
Chattanooga

The former Iowa State Cyclone has yet to really make his mark as a Chattanooga Moc & what better time than now to do so?  One of the biggest in-season tournaments of the year & to boot, hosted by the school you now represent.  The two-time NCAA DI qualifier has manhandled Colton Washleski on two occasions by scores of 15-4 & 20-4. 

#24
Colton Washleski
Virginia

Colton Washleski has really came alive a couple of different times during his collegiate career & now would be another good time to do so.  Will be in the hunt for a good finish this weekend. 

#25
Gavin Drexler
North Dakota State

Every tournament you go into, you have question marks & our question mark here is Gavin Drexler.  This is a guy that ended '24-'25 an NCAA Division I All-American.  This is also a guy that has thus far started off '25-'26, without a win.  What do you make of that?  Talent wise, perhaps Shapiro is out of his league (as would be Kasak) but no one else in this bracket is.  He wrestles like he is capable of wrestling, we'll be speaking of him at the begging of 2026, the way we spoke of him at the end of last March. 

#28
Joseph Antonio
Army

This tournament is going to feature some talented freshmen, & Joseph Antonio is among them.  The Black Knight is currently 14-3 on the season, as he hunts for a top 8 finish. 

#32
Darius Marines
Michigan State

And speaking of talented freshmen, Darius Marines is yet another.  The Spartan youngster is 13-3 thus far on the season, as he too will be on the hunt for a top 8 finish this weekennd. 

 

U.R. 
Brayden Roberts
Long Island

He maybe currently unranked at the moment, but having finished 4th here a year ago, there's faith in thinking that Brayden Roberts could once again bring some attention to the LIU wrestling program this weekend.  In 3-1 & 6-4 matches, he's kept it close with both Washleski & Marines, so there's no reason to think he couldn't turn those close matches into wins. 

U.R.
Jaivon Jones 
Little Rock

Named 11 wrestlers so far & who else do I see fighting in that quarterfinal or bloodround matchup looking for a spot on the award stand?  Jaivon Jones.  The former Husky, now Trojan has won some important matches in the past & furthermore he's had some pretty good showings against some higher ranked opponents so far this year.  I'd say right outside of Intermat's top 33 list, could easily slide in with a good performance this weekend.