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| Caleb Henson Virginia Tech |
In my never ending quest to prove that there is some great talent in the south, I can rely on Georgia native Caleb Henson to provide me an excellent example. Thus far 5th-1st-2nd in the DI nation, Henson heads into his final season of collegiate eligibility looking to become a four-time All American & a two-time NCAA DI champion. Along with these accomplishments, he is 1st-2nd-1st within the ACC & he's also been 2nd & 1st in the prestigious Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. 22-1 on the year, he's a two-time Keystone Invite champion as well.
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| Shayne Van Ness Penn State |
One of the many outstanding wrestlers produced by Blair Academy in New Jersey, Shayne Van Ness heads into what will be his junior season of competition having collected bronze medals at both the 2023 & 2025 NCAA DI championships. Also 3rd at the BIG 10's last season, SVN went 25-3 on the year winning the Black Knight Invite.
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| Connor Pierce Penn State |
I do not see Connor Pierce upending SVN for the starting spot on the Penn State wrestling team, but I do want to illustrate just how tough of a wrestler Pierce is. He defeated Willie McDougald twice by scores of 16-7 & 4-3, making the finals of the Southern Scuffle.
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| Lachlan McNeil Michigan |
The future Canadian international star, who is the son of 1992 Olympian Calum McNeil of Great Britain, earned 4th-6th & 5th place NCAA DI finishes for the Tar Heels of North Carolina. In '25-'26, he will look to earn his fourth All American honor competing for the Wolverines of Michigan. 3rd-3rd-2nd within the ACC, he had runner-up finishes at both the Southeast Open & the Soldier Salute last year. He was 25-7 on the season.
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| Ethan Stiles Oregon State |
The redshirt freshman transfer of Nebraska, was a surprise All-American at last year's NCAA DI championships having a great run to an eventual 6th place finish. The PAC-12 runner-up, Ethan Stiles went 19-8 on the season.
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| Gavin Drexler North Dakota State |
25 wins on the season, Gavin Drexler earned 8th place All American status, finishing 3rd at the BIG 12's. Also 3rd at the Southeast Open, he won the Bison Open.
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| Jordan Williams Iowa |
Two tries in the south, one at Oklahoma State & one at Little Rock, Jordan Williams will now test life in the Midwest at the University of Iowa. Last year, Williams went 26-6 on the year, he won both the Southern Scuffle & the PAC-12's, finishing one match shy of All American status. Had both a 15-5 major over All American Ethan Stiles & a 9-5 decision over All American Gavin Drexler.
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| Cross Wasilewski Pennsylvania |
25-5 on the year, Cross Wasilewski won an Ivy League title & finished one match shy of All American status. Thus far he has also been 5th & 2nd at the Midlands.
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| Andrew Clark Rutgers |
A two-time NCAA DI qualifier, Andrew Clark won 24 matches last season. A Black Knight Invite runner-up, he was 4th at the Midlands & 6th at the BIG 10's.
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| Ethan Fernandez Cornell |
Heading into his final season of competition, Ethan Fernandez was 8th at CKLV & runner-up at the Ivy League championships.
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| Gabe Willochell Wyoming |
Gabe Willochell heads into his final season of collegiate eligibility looking to become a four-time NCAA DI qualifier. 4th at the Soldier Salute last season, he was one match shy of placing at CKLV, although he was 7th their two seasons ago. An 11-10 win over All American Ethan Stiles on the year, Willochell has 4th & 8th place finishes within the BIG 12.
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| Antonio Avila Wyoming |
Freshman Antonio Avila went 25-8 in his redshirt last season, winning a RENO title. He will push Willochell in the room.
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| Koy Buesgens North Carolina State |
16 wins on the season for Koy Buesgens in his first year of collegiate competition. He was 3rd in the ACC.
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| Sam Cartella Northwestern |
Sam Cartella had to rely on an At-Large wildcard bid to get into the NCAA DI tournament last year, as he posted 15 wins on the season. Thus far he has been 8th & 5th in the Midlands.
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| August Hibler Northwestern |
Challenging Cartella for the starting position this year will be August Hibler. As a redshirt last yaer, he defeated Malyke Hines 7-6 & tech'd Kelvin Griffin 16-1.
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| Willie McDougald West Virginia |
Willie McDougald heads into his final season of collegiate competition, looking to become a four-time NCAA DI qualifier. 3rd at the Southern Scuffle, he's had back-to-back 5th place finishes within the BIG 12. Had a 7-4 decision over All American Gavin Drexler last year.
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| Wynton Denkins Virginia |
Wynton Denkins put up 33 wins on the season for Campbell last year, one of which was a 7-2 decision over All American Gavin Drexler. A Champion at the Lehman Open, he was 4th at the Southern Scuffle. He will compete for Virginia in '25-'26.
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| Carson DesRosier The Citadel |
The Helena, Montana native went 25-7 on the year last year, winning a Southern Conference title & finishing 7th at the Southern Scuffle.
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| Chance Lamer Nebraska |
Two seasons at Michigan, two seasons at Cal Poly, Chance Lamer will now compete for the Huskers of Nebraska. Twice the NCAA R12 in his career, Lamer comes into the BIG 10 having placed 2nd & 3rd thus far in the PAC-12. Owns two wins over fellow R12'er Jordan Williams by scores of 4-2 & 7-2.
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| Trae McDaniel Army |
The Cleveland, Tennessee native heads into his final season of collegiate competition having posted 25 wins in '24-'25, winning the EIWA title.
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| Mason Shrader Central Michigan |
Another tough senior among a list of upperclassmen, Mason Shrader won 24 matches last season. 7th in the Midlands, he was the MAC runner-up.
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| Kaden Cassidy George Mason |
8th-5th-3rd in the MAC, Kaden Cassidy heads into '25-'26 looking to become a four-time MAC place-winner & a two-time NCAA DI qualifier.
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| Jack Gioffre Oklahoma |
I know that Cradlezone is excited about man of the transfers Oklahoma is getting in this season, and Jack Gioffre is one of them. An NCAA DI qualifier for the Cavaliers last season, among his wins a 4-3 decision over R12'er Cross Wasilewski.
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| Paniro Johnson Iowa State |
In collegiate wrestling, we have examples of "box of chocolates" wrestlers & Paniro Johnson is one of them. You never know what you're going to get. If we're talking straight up potential & capability, he has the skills and talent to be a national champion. A two-time NWCA Scholar All American, he's from Erie, Pennsylvania but could at times easily convince me that he's from Eeire, Indiana. 26-5 on the year, he was the BIG 12 champion last year.
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| Jacob Frost Iowa State |
As I say that Paniro Johnson has the potential to be an NCAA DI champion this year, in the same breath, I also say that he has the potential to be a backup on his own team as well. That's how incredibly tough it can be to even make a lineup at this level. Jacob Frost was 7th in the nation last year at 141 lbs. There will be great wrestle-offs all over the collegiate wrestling world here before long. This will be one of the best.
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| Kal Miller Maryland |
Here's another guy I could see having a standout year in '25-'26. Kal Miller heads into his final season of collegiate competition having posted 22 wins on the season. A three-time NCAA DI qualifier, he was 7th in the BIG 10's last year. He is also a three-time NWCA Scholar All American.
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| Ty Whalen Princeton |
Ty Whalen went 21-5 on the season last year, taking 3rd at the Ivy League championships.
One match shy of All-American status last year competing at 141 lbs, Tagen Jamison will now test the waters up at 149 lbs.
I said there were going to be some great wrestle-offs this season & I meant what I said. Competing for Iowa State, Casey Swiderski was one match shy of All-American status in 2023, taking 7th in the nation in 2024. Injured last season, he comes into '25-'26, looking to reclaim his status. Wins such as an 18-6 major over Jordan Williams & an 8-2 decision over All-American Sammy Alvarez suggest the ceiling is very high for Swiderski. However, one of his toughest challenges of course will be in the Cowboy wrestling room with Jamison.
I didn't forget about Carter Young, either. The hometown native has his work cut out for him if he's going to knock off both Jamison & Swiderski, but he is more than capable of doing just that. A two-time NCAA DI qualifier in his own right, Young was 5th at the prestigious Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational last year. Among his wins a 4-1 decision over All American Sammy Alvarez, a 5-2 decision over Koy Buesgens, and 14-7 decision over Ethan Fernandez.
Forced to find a new home because of the incompetent, foolish & ignorant decisions of Cleveland State University, Dylan Layton has been welcomed with arms wide open by the Broncos of Rider. He was 22-5 redshirting in '24-'25.
Another future Canadian international star, Kade Brown won 10 matches last year as a redshirt. 3rd at the Midlands, he had a 4-2 win over Andrew Clark & he took Paniro Johnson into sudden victory.
I am just overblown by how good some of these wrestle-offs will be in '25-'26. Duking it out for the starting spot on the Panthers lineup, will be Kade Brown & Finn Solomon. Solomon an NCAA DI qualifier in 2024, just missed qualifying again in 2025. 6th at the Midlands, he owned a 4-3 win over Kal Miller.
Wyatt Krejsa heads into his freshman year of wrestling having posted 10 victories last year as a redshirt. He also placed 8th at the Midlands.
If you read a lot of JT1Wrestle, you know that I'm super pumped and excited for the '25-'26 season. One of the reasons why, is because I feel very confident that we will see an NCAA DI qualifier (maybe more!) for Davidson this season. Xavier McKnight posted 27 wins last year & placed 6th at the Southern Scuffle.
Benji Alanis was 8th at the Southern Scuffle last season.
A two-time NWCA Scholar All American, Zac Cowan heads into his final season of competition, looking to give the Knights an NCAA DI qualifier at 149 lbs.
An NCAA DI qualifier in 2024 at 141 lbs, Kai Owen missed out on qualification in 2025. 3rd at the Lehman Open, he was 4th in the Ivy League & will compete at 149 lbs this season.
I was kind of surprised that Avery Allen wasn't selected as an At-Large Wildcard bid last year. 21 wins on the season, a 7-4 decision over Gavin Drexler, a 6-1 decision over Gabe Willochell & an 8-4 decision over Mason Shrader. Allen was 6th at the BIG 12's.
An NCAA DI qualifier in 2024, I thought that Drew Roberts would be selected for an At-Large Wildcard bid last year, but he was not. Twice one match shy of top 8 at the BIG 10's, he did have an 8-6 decision over All American Gavin Drexler.
A three-time NCAA DI qualifier, at multiple weight classes, Josh Edmond returns to the 149 lbs weight class, looking for qualification #4.
Redshirting last season, Joseph Zargo heads into '25-'26 looking to become a four-time NCAA DI qualifier. Last year he defeated Willie McDougald twice by scores of 2-1.
The Lancers are quietly, but surely putting together a pretty tough team with some tough incoming transfers. Jesse Vasquez an NCAA DI qualifier in 2024, has some wins among his arsenal to suggest he'll do some big things in California this year. 4-1 over Willie McDougald, he also defeated Sam Cartella 10-4.
An NCAA DI qualifier for Iowa in 2024, Caleb Rathjen will compete for Northern Iowa this year.
Last year we saw Terrell Barraclough one of the best backups in the country for Penn State, transfer to Utah Valley and have himself an outstanding season. History looks to perhaps repeat itself in David Evans, who himself transferred from Penn State to Utah Valley. Among his wins to convince you? A 4-1 s.v. over two-time All-American C.J. Composto.
The Cardinal has some good young talent this season, and younger brother of Kyle Parco, E.J. is among one of them. Haven't seen a whole heck of a lot out of Parco yet, but a 4-2 win over Jesse Vasquez provides preview.
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| Tagen Jamison Oklahoma State |
One match shy of All-American status last year competing at 141 lbs, Tagen Jamison will now test the waters up at 149 lbs.
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| Casey Swiderski Oklahoma State |
I said there were going to be some great wrestle-offs this season & I meant what I said. Competing for Iowa State, Casey Swiderski was one match shy of All-American status in 2023, taking 7th in the nation in 2024. Injured last season, he comes into '25-'26, looking to reclaim his status. Wins such as an 18-6 major over Jordan Williams & an 8-2 decision over All-American Sammy Alvarez suggest the ceiling is very high for Swiderski. However, one of his toughest challenges of course will be in the Cowboy wrestling room with Jamison.
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| Carter Young Oklahoma State |
I didn't forget about Carter Young, either. The hometown native has his work cut out for him if he's going to knock off both Jamison & Swiderski, but he is more than capable of doing just that. A two-time NCAA DI qualifier in his own right, Young was 5th at the prestigious Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational last year. Among his wins a 4-1 decision over All American Sammy Alvarez, a 5-2 decision over Koy Buesgens, and 14-7 decision over Ethan Fernandez.
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| Dylan Layton Rider |
Forced to find a new home because of the incompetent, foolish & ignorant decisions of Cleveland State University, Dylan Layton has been welcomed with arms wide open by the Broncos of Rider. He was 22-5 redshirting in '24-'25.
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| Kade Brown Pittsburgh |
Another future Canadian international star, Kade Brown won 10 matches last year as a redshirt. 3rd at the Midlands, he had a 4-2 win over Andrew Clark & he took Paniro Johnson into sudden victory.
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| Finn Solomon Pittsburgh |
I am just overblown by how good some of these wrestle-offs will be in '25-'26. Duking it out for the starting spot on the Panthers lineup, will be Kade Brown & Finn Solomon. Solomon an NCAA DI qualifier in 2024, just missed qualifying again in 2025. 6th at the Midlands, he owned a 4-3 win over Kal Miller.
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| Wyatt Krejsa Purdue |
Wyatt Krejsa heads into his freshman year of wrestling having posted 10 victories last year as a redshirt. He also placed 8th at the Midlands.
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| Xavier McKnight Davidson |
If you read a lot of JT1Wrestle, you know that I'm super pumped and excited for the '25-'26 season. One of the reasons why, is because I feel very confident that we will see an NCAA DI qualifier (maybe more!) for Davidson this season. Xavier McKnight posted 27 wins last year & placed 6th at the Southern Scuffle.
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| Benji Alanis Northern Colorado |
Benji Alanis was 8th at the Southern Scuffle last season.
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| Zac Cowan Bellarmine |
A two-time NWCA Scholar All American, Zac Cowan heads into his final season of competition, looking to give the Knights an NCAA DI qualifier at 149 lbs.
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| Kai Owen Columbia |
An NCAA DI qualifier in 2024 at 141 lbs, Kai Owen missed out on qualification in 2025. 3rd at the Lehman Open, he was 4th in the Ivy League & will compete at 149 lbs this season.
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| Avery Allen South Dakota State |
I was kind of surprised that Avery Allen wasn't selected as an At-Large Wildcard bid last year. 21 wins on the season, a 7-4 decision over Gavin Drexler, a 6-1 decision over Gabe Willochell & an 8-4 decision over Mason Shrader. Allen was 6th at the BIG 12's.
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| Drew Roberts Minnesota |
An NCAA DI qualifier in 2024, I thought that Drew Roberts would be selected for an At-Large Wildcard bid last year, but he was not. Twice one match shy of top 8 at the BIG 10's, he did have an 8-6 decision over All American Gavin Drexler.
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| Josh Edmond Missouri |
A three-time NCAA DI qualifier, at multiple weight classes, Josh Edmond returns to the 149 lbs weight class, looking for qualification #4.
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| Joe Zargo Wisconsin |
Redshirting last season, Joseph Zargo heads into '25-'26 looking to become a four-time NCAA DI qualifier. Last year he defeated Willie McDougald twice by scores of 2-1.
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| Jesse Vasquez California Baptist |
The Lancers are quietly, but surely putting together a pretty tough team with some tough incoming transfers. Jesse Vasquez an NCAA DI qualifier in 2024, has some wins among his arsenal to suggest he'll do some big things in California this year. 4-1 over Willie McDougald, he also defeated Sam Cartella 10-4.
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| Caleb Rathjen Northern Iowa |
An NCAA DI qualifier for Iowa in 2024, Caleb Rathjen will compete for Northern Iowa this year.
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| David Evans Utah Valley |
Last year we saw Terrell Barraclough one of the best backups in the country for Penn State, transfer to Utah Valley and have himself an outstanding season. History looks to perhaps repeat itself in David Evans, who himself transferred from Penn State to Utah Valley. Among his wins to convince you? A 4-1 s.v. over two-time All-American C.J. Composto.
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| E.J. Parco Stanford |
The Cardinal has some good young talent this season, and younger brother of Kyle Parco, E.J. is among one of them. Haven't seen a whole heck of a lot out of Parco yet, but a 4-2 win over Jesse Vasquez provides preview.
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