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| #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.
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| #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.
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| #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.
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| #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.
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| #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.
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| #30 Tom Snipes The Citadel |
The Bulldog was 5th here a year ago & will be gunning for another top 8 finish this weekend.
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| #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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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