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| Josh Barr Penn State |
I spoke a lot to the youthful talent at the 184 lbs weight class & I'll say the 197 lbs weight class isn't hurting either. Sophomore Josh Barr went 22-4 on the season last year, making the NCAA DI finals.
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| Lucas Cochran Penn State |
I don't see Lucas Cochran upending Josh Barr for the starting position this season, but I do believe he deserves mention as a very strong backup. 23 wins on the season, one of which was a 5-2 decision over R12'er Gabe Sollars.
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| Connor Mirasola Penn State |
Like Lucas Cochran, I don't see Connor Mirasola upending Josh Barr for the starting spot, but also like Lucas Cochran, I think he deserves mention as incredibly tough backup. A Southern Scuffle champion, he had a 14-4 major decision over Wolfgang Frable.
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| Joey Novak Wyoming |
Joey Novak enters '25-'26 having finished last year 5th in the DI nation. 8th & 4th in CKLV, he's been 4th & 5th in the BIG 12. 29-7 on the season.
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| Stephen Little Little Rock |
7th & 6th in the DI nation the past two seasons, Stephen Little has the potential to become the Trojans first four-time All-American. 23-6 on the year, thus far he has PAC-12 finishes of 1st & 2nd.
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| Mac Stout Pittsburgh |
27-4 on the year, Mac Stout won titles at both the Midlands & the ACC, finishing 7th in the DI nation.
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| Camden McDaniel Nebraska |
Testimony once again to the level of competition seen at CKLV, Camden McDaniel came within a match of placing there, but he was 8th in the DI nation. Winner of the Kent State Holiday Open.
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| Rocky Elam Iowa State |
'25-'26 is full of a ton of returnees, but none more anticipated than that of Rocky Elam. 5th-4th-3rd-6th in the DI nation, the former Tiger now Cyclone not only guns to become a five-time All-American, but also an NCAA DI champion. A 5-4 victory over last year's DI champ Stephen Buchanan speaks for itself.
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| Gabe Sollars Indiana |
19 wins on the season, despite having a disappointing BIG 10's, Gabe Sollars still came back strong at the NCAA DI championships to come within a match of being an All American. Runner-up at both the Midlands & the Sheridan Open.
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| Seth Shumate Ohio State |
20 wins on the season, Seth Shumate was 8th in the BIG 10's & one match shy of being an NCAA DI All American.
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| Luke Geog Ohio State |
Challenging Shumate for the starting position at 184 lbs on the Buckeye lineup will be Luke Geog. An NCAA DI qualifier from 2024.
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| D.J. Parker Oklahoma |
D.J. Parker was one match shy of DI All-American status, competing at 184 lbs last year.
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| Evan Bates Northwestern |
20-12 on the year, Evan Bates collected silver at both the Michigan State Open & CKLV, collecting bronze at the Midlands. He was 7th at the BIG 10's & had a 6-2 decision over R12'er Gabe Sollars.
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| Dillon Bechtold Bucknell |
23 wins on the season Dillon Bechtold is another reason I think Bucknell needs more credit for the improvements they have made. 5th at the Midlands, he was the EIWA runner-up.
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| Patrick Brophy The Citadel |
21-7 on the year, Patrick Brophy earned runner-up honors at both the Southern Scuffle & the Southern Conference.
UPDATE: Brophy will be competing for North Carolina State this season.
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| Wolfgang Frable Army |
22 wins on the season, NCAA DI qualifier, Wolfgang Frable was 4th at the Southern Scuffle.
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| Payton Thomas Navy |
Payton Thomas was 4th at the EIWA's last season.
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| Brock Zurawski Rider |
18 wins on the season, Brock Zurawski won the MAC title.
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| Carson Floyd Appalachian State |
28 wins on the season, Carson Floyd was 3rd at the Southern Conference.
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| Colton Hawks Missouri |
A three-time NCAA DI qualifier at 184 lbs, Colton Hawks will look for qualification #4 at 197 in '24-'25.
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| Cody Merrill Oklahoma State |
A Redshirt last year, Cody Merill was quite impressive. A Michigan State Open champion, he was the RENO runner-up & 3rd at the Soldier Salute. Had 4-2 wins over both Evan Bates & Isiah Salazar.
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| Ben Vanadia Purdue |
18 wins on the season & a match shy of CKLV placing, Ben Vanadia had both an 8-2 win over Wolfgang Frable as well as a 7-2 decision over Carson Floyd.
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| J.T. Davis Lehigh |
A backup to Michael Beard last season, J.T. Davis has some highlights to note of his own. Winning both the Sheridan Open as well as the Lehman Open, he had a 7-6 victory over R12'er Gabe Sollars & an 11-7 decision over Caleb Hopkins.
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| Justin Rademacher Oregon State |
An NCAA DI qualifier in 2024, Justin Rademacher redshirted last year, winning a RENO tournament of champions.
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| Brook Byers Stanford |
Brook Byers was 7th at the Midlands last season.
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| Sonny Sasso Virginia Tech |
A backup to Andy Smith last season, Sonny Sasso went 10-1 on the year. 3rd at the Southern Scuffle, he stuck Carson Floyd in 56 seconds, Wolfgang Frable in 2:56 & had an 8-6 win over Levi Hopkins.
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| Josh McCutchen Gardner-Webb |
14 wins on the season, Josh McCutchen was 8th at the Southern Scuffle.
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| Cade Lautt Illinois |
A transfer of North Carolina, Cade Lautt will wrestle this season for Illinois. He was 6th at last year's Southern Scuffle.
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| Massoma Endene Iowa |
Still a lot of questions as we head into '25-'26 that will all be answered soon enough. One of which is how does Massoma Endene, a three-time NCAA DIII champion for Wartburg fare amongst Division I talent? Fans constantly express a longing to return to the days of allotting D2 & D3 champions into the DI championships with this illusion that they'd kick ass & take names. Being a student of the game, paying as good of attention as does anyone to all three levels (also including the NAIA & th NJCAA) I have to say that for the most part this is not true. We have Divisions for a reason & I see no shame or dishonor within saying that. JT1Wrestle isn't Flo, but I think despite not being Flo, I still do a pretty damn good job at what I do. I think the comparison is fair. Endene prove me wrong & have his way with the likes of Barr, Little & Elam? I'm all for that too. Wartburg after all has had plenty place at the Midlands over the years.
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| Remy Cotton Rutgers |
An NCAA DI qualifier for Michigan State last year, Remy Cotton will compete for Rutgers this season.
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| Wyatt Ingham Wisconsin |
We didn't see a whole heck of a lot out of Wyatt Ingham last season, but wins over both Remy Cotton & Levi Hopkins do stick out.
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| Rune Lawrence West Virginia |
A redshirt last season, Rune Lawrence heads into his freshman season of competition with a 9-7 win over Levi Hopkins last year.
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| Gavin Nelson Minnesota |
Gavin Nelson didn't wrestle any big names last season, but nevertheless he was undefeated at 10-0 before getting hurt. Anxious to see if healthy, what he can do against ranked competition.
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