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| Johnny Lopez San Francisco State |
26-2 on the year, Johnny Lopez won the NCAA DII title & will look to defend that title this season.
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| Khyvon Grace West Liberty |
The future psychology major heads into his final season of competition a two-time NCAA DII All American with finishes of 7th & 2nd. He's also been 4th-3rd-2nd within the Super Region III.
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| Sean Solis Mary |
The California native went 27-7 on the year, winning a Super Region V title, finishing 6th at the Midwest Classic & 3rd at the NCAA DII championships.
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| Joseph Airola Nebraska-Kearney |
21-9 on the year, Joseph Airola won a Super Region VI title & finished 4th in the DII nation. Owned a 6-3 over DII national champ Johnny Lopez.
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| Colton Stoneking Fairmont State |
31-5 on the season, Colton Stoneking was 5th in the DII nation last year, heading into '25-'26 with Super Region I finishes of 5th-3rd-1st.
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| Luke Kunath Belmont Abbey |
A Super Region II runner-up, Luke Kunath finished 8th in the D2 nation.
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| Braden Tatum Newberry |
A transfer of the now discontinued Lindenwood, Braden Tatum finished one match shy of NCAA DII All American status.
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| Colton Hush Minnesota State Mankato |
Youth among the vast experience within the 141 lbs class, sophomore Colton Hush, an NWCA All-American, finished 3rd at Super Region V & one match shy of D2 All American honors.
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| Brayden Sonnentag Minnesota State Mankato |
As anxious as I am to see what Hush can continue doing during the three seasons he has left of eligibility, I also know that one of this biggest challenges this season will be keeping his spot. Wyoming transfer Brayden Sonnentag is no joke. Should be a good wrestle-off.
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| Nick Cottone Millersville |
18 wins on the season, Nick Cottone was the Super Region I runner-up.
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| Caleb Chaves Chadron State |
4th & 3rd thus far in Super Region I for Gannon, Caleb Chaves is going to spend his final season competing for Chadron State.
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| Brock Davis Ashland |
24 wins on the season, Brock Davis was one match shy of a top 8 finish at the Midwest Classic & 3rd at the Super Region III. Owned a 9-4 decision over All-American Luke Kunath.
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| Sabian Russell Quincy |
Sabian Russell heads into his junior season of competition looking to become Quincy's first All-American as he's been 4th & 3rd within Super Region IV the past two seasons. 31-9 on the year, he is a two-time NWCA Scholar All-American.
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| Pedro Velazquez Minnesota State Moorhead |
A transfer from North Dakota State, Pedro Velazquez earned NCAA Division II qualification with a 3rd place finish at Super Region V. He was also an NWCA All-American last season.
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| Joey Ortega Kutztown |
Joey Ortega finished one match shy of D2 qualification as he finished 4th at Super Region I.
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| Ashtan Hendricks King |
24 wins on the season, Ashtan Hendricks came up just short of NCAA D2 qualification, finishing 4th at Super Region II.
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| C.J. Poole Grand Valley State |
Poole came up one match short of NCAA DII qualification finishing 4th at the Super Region III.
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| Jake Niffenegger Gannon |
A two-time NCAA DII All-American for Mercyhurst ('23 7th & '24 6th), Jake Niffenegger redshirted at Indianapolis this past season. He will compete for Gannon this season.
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| Elijah Lusk Lander |
A two-time NCAA DII All American at 133 lbs in '23 (8th) & '24 (6th) the Florida native returns to action after redshirting in '25, and will be competing at 141 lbs.
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| Gage Heilbrun Frostburg State |
3rd in the Mountain East Championships (MEC), Gage Heilbrun was 6th at Super Region I.
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| Chase Bell Frostburg State |
Challenging Heilbrun for the starting spot will be Chase Bell, who himself scored a 5:48 fall over All American Colton Stoneking.
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| Ben Hernandez Mount Olive |
5th at Super Region II, Ben Hernandez owned a 10-2 major decision over All-American Luke Kunath on the season.
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| Frank Bianco Coker |
An NWCA Scholar All-American, Frank Bianco won 19 matches last season & placed 6th at Super Region II.
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| Hudson Hackbarth Maryville |
Hudson Hackbarth was 5th at Super Region IV.
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| Kody Ketchum Maryville |
Hackbarth will have his hands full trying to hold on to that varsity position as 2024 NCAA DII qualifier Kody Ketchum returns off of a redshirt. During his redshirt, he stuck qualifier Sabian Russell at the 1:26 mark.
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| Jordan Oehme Sioux Falls |
14 wins on the year, Jordan Oehme took a 6th place finish at Super Region V.
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| Cyrus Wells Chadron State |
Cyrus Wells as 6th at Super Region VI
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| Avery Buonocore UNC-Pembroke |
16 wins on the year, Avery Buonocore was one match shy of placing at the Midwest Classic.
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| Hayden Tuma CSU-Pueblo |
A Greco-Roman specialist, Hayden Tuma came up short of placing at last year's Super Regin VI, but still had some highlights on the year. He stuck R12'er Braden Tatum at the 1:37 mark.
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| Carson Richards Lake Erie |
Very anxious to see how Carson Richards does this season. Behind standout Christian Small, Richards actually owned a 4-2 decision over Small last season. How telling was that victory? We'll see in '25-'26.
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| Fernando Barreto Vanguard |
I have no idea what Fernando Barreto will start off the season ranked, but I promise you the former North Dakota State Bison will be a contender for the NCAA DII title. He lost exactly once last year & that was a tight 2-1 decision to D2 Champ Johnny Lopez. Let's also add in that he defeated All American Sean Solis 7-6, & he tech'd qualifier Pedro Velazquez 21-5. He also tech'd Hayden Tuma 21-6, for whatever that is worth.
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| Zach Parker Glenville State |
A former CCCAA standout for Mt. San Antonio, Zach Parker scored a 4-1 decision over qualifier Brock Durbin last season.
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| Troy Dolphin UW-Parkside |
Having spent some time in the Mudville 9, watching it from the bench, Troy Dolphin will step into the starting position this season for the Rangers. An 8-6 decision over NCAA D2 finalist Khyvon Grace suggest the possibilities.
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| Connor Whiteley Augustana (SD) |
Connor Whiteley actually stuck R12'er Colton Hush at the Super Region V, but while Hush came back to claim 3rd, Whitely came up short of a top 8 finish. Won 15 matches last season.
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| Eyan Chavez Western Colorado |
Consistency & Eyan Chavez were not close last season, but he did develop a bond with pulling off some major upsets. He defeated D2 R12'er Braden Tatum twice. Once 8-5 s.v. & another time 11-4.
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| Tanner Ajes Upper Iowa |
Tanner Arjes didn't wrestle much last season, but he did score a 10-4 decision over qualifier Colton Hush.
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| Alyeus Craig St Cloud State |
With back-to-back 4th place finishes in Super Region V in '23 & '24, Alyeus Craig was one of the best wrestlers heading into '24-'25 yet to qualify for the NCAA DII championships. If you have watched this sport long enough, you know how unforgiving it can be. He DNP at last year's Super Region V. Nonetheless, the Husky still won 15 matches & quite a few of them reflect the potential that he has in '25-'26 to make happen what should've happened last year. A 7-4 decision over Jake Niffenegger, an 8-3 decision over Pedro Velazquez & an 8-0 decision over Colton Hush.
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| Jayce Luna St Cloud State |
16-5 on the season, Jayce Luna will be pushing Craig in the Husky room. Luna himself owns a 9-8 decision over qualifier Pedro Velazquez.
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| Cole Thomas Thomas More |
The Saints still aren't eligible for the post season yet, but throughout the regular season, Cole Thomas will make his presence known in the D2 world. 26-1 on the season last year, he defeated qualifier Brock Durbin twice by score of 8-1 & 4-1. He also had a 4-1 win over D3 All-American Pierre Baldwin.
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