165, along with 125 is the only weight class with four At-Large/Wildcard spots, while all of the other eight weights have only four. Two I feel for sure. The others? Damn....I don't know what to think.
???
#31 Peyten Kellar of Oklahoma - Of the great mysteries that his sport often bestows upon us, what happened to Peyten Kellar in his final year of collegiate eligibility may be the top one of 2026. 5th in the DI nation back in 2024, he was a shell of his former self this season. As usually there probably is a reason behind it & as usually it'll take a few years of rumors & innuendos before the truth is revealed. 8-11 on the year, 8th in the BIG 12's.
#29 Ryan Burgos of Edinboro - An NCAA DI qualifier in 2023, what kills Ryan Burgos here is a nightmare of a final MAC tournament. That is something the selection committee will NOT look over & will NOT forgive. Nonetheless, put up 20 wins this season, including a 13-5 major over Mac Church.
#27 Thomas Snipes of The Citadel - I said it earlier & I'll say it again. The SOCON only takes the champs (which Thomas Snipes was last season) and it's still slim to none that you're getting in, even if you take 2nd. Snipes went 0-2 at this year's SOCON & that puts him in the same sinking ship with Burgos. The selection committee isn't going to overlook that & they're not going to forgive it. The Bulldog put up 22 wins this season, a 2-1 decision over Andrew Sparks.
#26 Marcus Espinoza-Owens of South Dakota State - If MEO had taken 5th at the BIG 12's instead of 6th, I'd think he'd stand a shot at Q, but seeing that he didn't, I don't think he gets in this season. 15 wins on the year, none against qualifiers.
#30 Dylan Elmore of Navy - I think those in charge are a bit more lenient with the EIWA than they are with the MAC & the SOCON, but still Dylan Elmore is not in a good position. Not placing is a major strike against the Midshipman. 21 wins on the season, including sticking Cesar Alvan in 42 seconds.
Sloan Swan of Wyoming - The Cowboy wrestled better at the BIG 12's this weekend than he's ever wrestled his entire collegiate career. Finished 5th in a BIG 12 bracket that took the top 4. Yet will a good tournament be rewarded over rankings & an overall season? I would think for sure he'd get the nod over Peyten Keller but MEO? #26 compared to U.R, but...but...but... Not only did Swan beat MEO at the BIG 12's, he also beat him earlier this season as well.
Maxx Mayfield of Missouri - A three-time NCAA DI qualifier, Maxx Mayfield failed to place at the BIG 12's. A win over Connor Euton (8-6) being behind MEO & Swan isn't the only thing starving this Tiger. The fact that he split time with J Conway is what I think is really making things tough on Mayfield getting a nod.
#32 Jared Keslar of Pittsburgh - 5th in an ACC bracket that took the top 4, Jared Keslar was an NCAA DI qualifier last year. Owns a 4-2 win over Mac Church.
So spots #3, #4 & #5 I think are going to take a lot of argument and a lot of debate.
Spots #1 & #2?
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| #16 Tyler Lillard Indiana |
A high ranking & finishing 10th in a BIG 10 bracket that took the top 9, I'm very confident that the Hoosier will be heading to Cleveland here in a couple of weeks. A 4-2 win over Sean Seefeldt & a 8-5 s.v. over Cesar Alvan.
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| #5 Matty Bianchi Little Rock |
I know it's going to piss some people off, but hey, life isn't fair and neither is wrestling. Yes, I'm 100% positive that Matty Bianchi gets one of the At-Large/Wildcard picks & Anthony Berg who upset him at the PAC-12's gets left home. Bianchi, an All-American last season, more than earned his opportunity to compete at the 2026 NCAA's, throughout the season.
4-1 over Braeden Scoles
5-1 over Gunnar Filipowicz
3:44 fall over Brock Woodcock
4-1 over Matt Olguin
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