Freddie Rodriguez (Photo/Michigan Grappler.com)"I have been a Michigan State fan since I was little and I've always wanted to be a Spartan," said Rodriguez on a phone call to Michigan Grappler. "When I went and saw the campus I got to see the athletic academic support buildings and it ensured me that MSU can help me stay on task and do good academically. From a wrestling standpoint I know I will work hard on improving my skills, but I feel the academic support at Michigan State will be really good for me."
Rodriguez, who is currently ranked sixth in Class of 2012 by InterMat, will also be able to go to school and compete close to home, just minutes from his hometown of Holt.
"It's near home for me and I know I have my family there to support me and I like being close to my parents, plus my family and friends will be able to watch me throughout my career," said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, who won Division 1 state titles at 103 and 112 pounds his freshman and sophomore year, has been one of the premiere wrestlers in the country ever since coming up on the youth scene, and throughout his career he has attended numerous Michigan State camps and clinics. According to him, his confidence in the MSU staff was a big part in his decision as well.
"I have known (MSU assistant coach) Chris Williams since I was really little and he wrestled for State. I have worked with him a lot so I wouldn't want to go somewhere where another coach would have to get to know me and how I wrestle -- Chris already knows what kind of kid I am, how I wrestle, and how to coach me."
Rodriguez follows a line of the nation's top juniors in the past couple years to make very early commitments, including Logan and Hunter Stieber of Ohio (Ohio State) and Nico Megaludis of Pennsylvania (Penn State). He is the first wrestler in the country from the Class of 2012 to announce his college plans.
"I am happy to get it done early so I don't have to wait around and think about it or have to feel the stress of the whole process," said Rodriguez. "I know where I want to be, so why not get it done now?"
Last summer, Rodriguez competed in just about every national event that he could find and racked up a laundry list of big wins and tournament titles. He won the FILA Cadet Nationals in both styles, FloNationals, USAW Folkstyle Nationals, and the Fargo Junior Nationals in both styles. Wrestling most of this summer at 103 and 105 pounds, many might question his size for college, with the lightest weight class being 125 pounds. However, Rodriguez is confident it will not be an issue.
"I don't feel like my weight is going to be an issue because I know my work ethic is good and as long as I push myself in the room I will have success on the mat, no matter what size I am."
Freddie Rodriguez (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)"I think before this summer I was considered one of the better kids from Michigan, but my name wasn't really known that much nationally," said Rodriguez. "But after everything I've done this summer I feel I have made a big name for myself. The difference for me has been that I have been wrestling a lot smarter and been more aggressive. In the past I have not been real aggressive at big national tournaments but this year I have really turned up my aggressiveness and was heavy on people's heads and it has made a big difference."
Rodriguez's commitment falls just days after one of the best Michigan wrestlers from the class of 2011, Roger Wildmo, also gave a verbal commitment to the Spartans. He will also join former Lansing area standout Dan Osterman of St.Johns, who competed as a true freshman this year for MSU, and the Spartan wrestling team is starting to gain a good crop of homegrown talent.
"I feel that when others see that we are staying home to wrestle at Michigan State that they will see that we can build a team with pure Michigan guys and it would be a lot more special to win a title with guys who grew up together, training together and traveling together."
While Rodriguez is a grade behind Wildmo and three grades behind Osterman, he could very well end up competing right alongside them sooner than you would think, as he does not rule out the idea of waiving his redshirt year and wrestling right away.
"I think I will wrestle right away, but it depends on how big I am, how I feel, and what the coaches want me to do, but I think I will be ready to compete right away."
If you glance at Freddie Rodriguez's track record you might think he is almost already in college. However, he still has two full years of high school wrestling left before moving on to the next level and he says he still has a lot to do before getting to college.
This year he and his brother Martin, a freshman, will wrestle for Grand Ledge High School, but he will also be competing in a couple more big-time preseason events before the MHSAA season kicks off, the Grappler Fall Classic (Oct. 16 in Tecumseh, MI) and the Super 32 Challenge (Oct. 30-31 in Greensboro, NC).
Rodriguez also gave thanks to MSU coach Tom Minkel for giving him the opportunity to continue his career in college as well as his parents and family for their support over the years. Luckily for them they will be able to continue supporting him and not have to drive far to do it as the blue-chip prospect will be right up the road in East Lansing.
InterMat was granted permission to republish this article from MichiganGrappler.com.
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