4 seems to be the magic number when we talk about At-Large/Wildcards & 4 is the number we're dealing with here at 157 lbs. Painfully obvious with the amount of talent still left that hasn't qualified yet, that it simply isn't enough. Some of these guys will unfortunately be staying home this season.
I came up with 10 worth candidates & thus far I've eliminated three
Those Already Eliminated
Jared Hill of Wyoming - Unranked & a losing record, I had to say it, but I think the odds are against Jared Hill getting into the NCAA DI's for a fourth-time. Nonetheless, as stacked as the BIG 12 has been the past four years, earning a spot on the award stand four seasons in a row is impressive. Hill was 6th-6th-5th-8th. On the season, a 9-6 s.v. over ACC champ Collin Gaj & a 7:01 fall over Cael Swensen.
Draydon Morton of California Baptist - This is the third CBU wrestler that I've found in this spot unfortunately. The BIG 12 took the top 5. Morton took 7th, leaving not only the 6th place wrestler still needing a spot, but also a very high ranked wrestler from the BIG 12 also needing a spot. With only four spots available, I cannot see 3/4's of them going to BIG 12 wrestlers.
Stoney Buell of Purdue - A 2024 NCAA DI qualifier, what Stoney Buell has going against him that he has two other BIG 10 wrestlers ahead of him in both finish & ranking, who also need a wildcard to call themselves 2026 NCAA DI qualifiers. Nonetheless, Buell defeated Cael Swensen twice this season by scores of 4-3 & 11-6. He also defeated Jaivon Jones 9-7.
The 7 left....
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| #32 Jonathan Ley Navy |
Finishing 3rd in an EIWA bracket that only took the finalists, I'm not 100% positive what happened in a semi-final match where Jonathan Ley was disqualified. Nonetheless the Midshipman has 26 wins on the season, one of which is a 5-2 decision over Gavin Drexler & another a 2-1 decision over Colton Washleski.
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| #24 Tony White Rutgers |
An NCAA DI qualifier way back in 2023, Tony White finished 10th in a BIG 10 bracket that took the top 8. 15 wins on the season, the one that matters most here is a 4-1 s.v. over Charlie Millard.
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| Victor Voinovich Iowa |
The Hawkeye has been very loyal to the B&G program ever since arriving back in the fall of 2023. A reliable hand that has done what is asked of him, every time he's been given the opportunity. Fell one match short of qualification at the BIG 10's & what is really killing him here is the fact that he's been a backup most of 2025-2026. It's teammate Jordan Williams who has the #15 ranking. IF Voinovich had more starts, I'm sure he WOULD have wins over qualifiers. Unfortunately, not the case. He might still stand a shot though.
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| #20 Mason Shrader Central Michigan |
5th in a MAC bracket that took the top 4. The 2025 NCAA qualifier has 24 wins on the season, three of which help his case as he takes the stand.
4-1 over Jimmy Harrington
11-7 Derek Raike
4-2 over D.J. McGee
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| #18 Dylan Evans Pittsburgh |
Ironically enough, Dylan Evans also finished 5th in a bracket that took the top 4 & he was also a qualifier last season. 21 wins on the season for the Panther. A 4-1 win over Laird Root & a 12-2 major over Colton Washleski.
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| #16 Teague Travis Missouri |
A two-time NCAA DI qualifier, I'd be really shocked if Teague Travis didn't get a nod. I'm not 100% sold he will, but it'd really throw me off if he didn't. 6th in the BIG 12, which took the top 5, Travis has a 6-3 win over Laird Root.
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| #7 Vinny Zerban Iowa State |
Spots #2, #3 & #4 are up for debate, but spot #1 is no doubt going to Vinny Zerban. A three-time NCAA DI qualifier & 6th in the DI nation a year ago, he has the wins this season that tell JT1Wrestle that he IS heading to Cleveland.
4-3 over Luke Mechler
7-5 over Daniel Cardenas
17-1 over Jimmy Harrington
12-5 over Gavin Drexler
5-2 over Ty Watters
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