Ohio State's Lineup Dilemma(s)

Sunday gave us the Clarion Open which marked the first competition for many teams during the 2024-25 season. One of which was #6 Ohio State. The Buckeyes have been one of the teams that have had the most intrigue during the preseason, because of the possible permutations in their lineup. Mainly the back half, but as we’ve seen, there are multiple options down low, as well. As promised, we’ve tried to dig and obtain information regarding the Ohio State lineup, as there were some surprises on Sunday. The most notable and obvious change for the Buckeyes was 2024 NCAA runner-up, Rocco Welsh, wrestling unattached up at 184 lbs. Welsh made the national finals during his freshman year - a season that started with him intending on redshirting. A season-ending injury to All-American Carson Kharchla led to Welsh’s redshirt being pulled. That same situation occurred last year at 184 lbs when Gavin Hoffman was lost for the year and true freshman Ryder Rogotzke stepped up. Rogotzke obviously didn’t have the same national-level success as Welsh; however, he was fifth in the Big Ten, the #18 seed at nationals, and went 1-2 in Kansas City. Fast forward back to 2024 and Welsh ran through the Clarion Open with ease. In the finals, he posted a 7-2 win over 2024 national qualifier Jaden Bullock of Michigan. The other item of note relating to this situation is that Welsh has been removed from the 174 lb match at the NWCA All-Star Match and Cade Devos (South Dakota State) was inserted to take his place. The way we understand the situation is that Ohio State will make a decision as to who is the starter at this weight within the next few days. They are not in a dire position to rush a decision, since their next dual is on November 14th against Chattanooga, followed by Edinboro on the 17th. You’d expect either of Ohio State’s 184 lb options to be favored in both of those contests. Even so, we’re been told there should be a decision relatively soon as to who starts and who sits. With Welsh out of the picture at 174 lbs, that leaves Kharchla as the long-term option at 174. Kharchla will not be available for Ohio State’s next few duals, so they’ll have to get creative as there is no real backup at 174. Maybe they bump 165 lber Chase Carter. Perhaps one of the 157 lbers moves up or even true freshman Ethan Birden (who went 3-1 at 165). To put a bow on the second half of the Buckeye lineup, let’s talk 165 lbs. Bryce Hepner is the returning starter, but all preseason we’ve heard about the return of two-time national runner-up Sammy Sasso. Sasso was set to wrestle 157 lbs last season, but was seriously injured after a shooting in a car-jacking incident. It doesn’t appear as if Sasso is quite ready for live competition yet, so we’ll see Hepner in the near future. Circling back around to the beginning of the Ohio State lineup and perhaps the most difficult-to-predict lineup battle at 125 lbs between Brendan McCrone and Vinny Kilkeary. McCrone came in a year ahead of Kilkeary and was a much less-heralded recruit. Even so, he won the job last year and qualified for the NCAA Tournament. I’m sure most fans assumed that Kilkeary would be ready to take the starting position and run with it in 2024-25. That ultimately may end up happening, but McCrone isn’t going without a fight. The incumbent staved off Kilkeary with a 5-3 win in the Clarion Open finals. Since neither has a redshirt available, we’ll have to play the “wait-and-see” game here. Obviously, the two continue to be very close - with McCrone still holding the upperhand. A key tell in this decision should be who is Ohio State’s representative at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, which occurs about a month from now. Another potential battle that popped up that perhaps we were overlooking was at 133 lbs. Nic Bouzakis is a redshirt sophomore who had a solid 2023-24 season, but one that wasn’t necessarily up to the lofty standards that one may expect from a wrestler of his pedigree (#5 overall recruit in 2022). Ohio State has a true freshman at 133 in Ben Davino who was a top-five overall recruit, himself. Davino blitzed the Clarion Open field with bonus point wins over national qualifier Max Leete (American) and veteran Colton Camacho (Edinboro), before taking out Bouzakis in the title bout. Obviously, the Buckeye staff can use a redshirt for Davino in 2024-25. That would work out well. But, if the decision is to wrestle Welsh this year at 184 lbs, you’re putting the best possible lineup on the mat and in NCAA Team trophy contention. If Davino is a clear step above Bouzakis, in a 133 lb weight class that lost both of its national finalists to graduation - you have to go with Davino, right? In Tuesday’s updated rankings, Bouzakis comes in at #15 at 133 lbs. When he’s at his best, he’s certainly an All-American caliber wrestler. The key is finding that consistency. And for Davino? How does he fare against other top contenders at the weight? Can he beat them on a regular basis or was the Bouzakis win due to familiarity between teammates? Looking at Ohio State’s schedule. My guess is that they let Davino hit another open or two in the next month, while monitoring Bouzakis’ progress at CKLV. The Buckeyes wrap up the 2024 calendar year in Nashville at the Collegiate Duals with duals against Lock Haven, North Carolina, and Iowa State. Those three teams have #5 Evan Frost (Iowa State), #14 Anthony Noto (Lock Haven), and #17 Ethan Oakley (North Carolina). It might be a good idea to give Davino a shot in two of those matches to see how he handles those sorts of competitors. As coaches always say, it’s a good problem to have. Ohio State has multiple wrestlers who can go deep in the national tournament at multiple weights. The tough part is determining which ones get the call for the Big Ten season and the postseason.

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