Making Sense Of the Iowa Transfer Situation

Once again, Iowa is stealing the headlines - as they always tend to do. Within the last week, a pair of transfers have been confirmed as headed to the University of Iowa. They aren’t run-of-the-mill transfers either, they are multiple-time All-Americans, Jacori Teemer and Stephen Buchanan. Teemer was an NCAA finalist last year at 157 lbs and Buchanan finished third for the second time at 197 lbs. Rumors of NIL deals nearing the mid-six figures were reportedly used to help entice the move. 

With Teemer and Buchanan in the fold, Iowa has received three high-profile transfers this offseason. Teemer’s Arizona State teammate, Kyle Parco, made his decision earlier in the summer. Parco has already made the NCAA podium four times at 149 lbs. 

As you plug these three stars into the Iowa lineup, there have to be three wrestlers who are pushed out of a potential starting role. Those names appear to be Caleb Rathjen (149), Cobe Siebrecht (157), and Zach Glazier (197). Within the last two days, Siebrecht and Glazier announced that they would transfer to wrestle at South Dakota State. 

These moves have stirred up plenty of conversation online and on social media. I had a friend ask me for my thoughts on the situation and it’s really difficult to take one side or another - if you’re an objective third-party. So, I figured, let’s hash it out on paper!

With that being said, I’ll outline why this makes sense from an Iowa/Tom Brands position and why people may have an issue with the moves. 

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