Spencer Lee at the UNI Open (Photo/Andy Hamilton, Trackwrestling.com)It is one of the hottest topics and one of the most frequently asked questions in college wrestling right now.
Should Iowa pull Spencer Lee's redshirt?
Lee, of course, is the superstar Hawkeye recruit who already has captured a combined three world freestyle championships for the United States at the Cadet and Junior levels.
And now he's a redshirt in his first year as a true freshman at the University of Iowa.
Lee made his collegiate debut this past Saturday, rolling to the 125-pound title at the Northern Iowa Open. It was the first time he's competed in nine months.
Lee is coming back from a major knee injury he suffered nearly a year ago. He was wearing a huge black brace on his leg when he competed Saturday.
He appeared to be moving well, and looked strong, physical and dominant in his return to competition.
So let's examine the pros and cons of Lee coming out of his redshirt for Iowa.
The Hawkeyes haven't exactly been a dominating team in the season's early going. Iowa had to rally for Big Ten wins over Illinois and Rutgers.
The Hawkeyes are struggling in the lower weight classes after NCAA champion Cory Clark and World silver medalist Thomas Gilman completed their collegiate eligibility last March.
Iowa has two proven stars in senior Brandon Sorensen and sophomore Michael Kemerer. Sorensen has been an NCAA runner-up at 149 and Kemerer was third as a freshman at 157.
Hawkeye heavyweight Sam Stoll also has looked strong and he's definitely a contender to land a spot on the All-American podium this season.
Redshirt freshman Alex Marinelli is also expected to make a significant impact at 165. He earned a clutch overtime win over U23 world freestyle champion Richie Lewis of Rutgers in Friday night's victory. And 197-pounder Cash Wilcke made the round of 12 at NCAAs last season.
Iowa could also be bolstered by transfer Pat Downey, a past Junior world silver medalist who was an All-American for Iowa State two years ago. If Downey can become eligible and follow team rules, which has been an issue for him in the past, he could make a huge impact at 184 for the Hawkeyes.
The determining factor for Lee may arrive at the upcoming Midlands Championships. If Lee turns in a strong showing against a more competitive field in Evanston, Ill., and his knee holds up, he could earn a spot in the starting lineup.
The traditionally tough Midlands obviously will provide a much better gauge of where Lee stands at this stage of the season.
But Iowa's coaches may have to look long-term as well when it comes to examining Lee's bright future.
If Iowa isn't a legitimate contender for a national title, do you burn a season of Lee's eligibility this year? Penn State returns five national champions and Ohio State is loaded with a team of proven veterans led by two national champs.
And just how healthy and ready is Lee for this season after coming back from a serious injury? Does he need more time to round into top form?
Iowa also has a number of other young stars like Jacob Warner redshirting, and the future looks bright for the Hawkeyes with an abundance of top young prospects.
If Lee redshirts, then he still has four years of eligibility remaining after this season and he can wrestle alongside Warner during those years. Kemerer would still have two years left after this season as well.
There definitely are plenty of factors to consider here.
No doubt, Lee is a unique, special and extraordinary talent. He may be the best recruit in the history of the storied Hawkeye program.
As a fan, I would love to see Lee wrestle. The Hawkeyes haven't had a wrestler with the star power, talent and mindset of Lee since Hodge Trophy winner Brent Metcalf competed for Iowa. He's also a personable, likable and charismatic young man who fans will love.
Lee's entry into the starting lineup would provide a much-needed spark and boost for the Hawkeyes.
Lee is a tremendous wrestler with a work ethic and mentality to match. He's a confident, driven wrestler that I believe will eventually contend for Olympic and world titles on the Senior level. He's that good.
In my opinion, it's an extremely tough call for the Iowa coaches on whether to pull his redshirt or not.
But if Downey is eligible and Lee turns in a strong showing at the Midlands, Brands and Co. may be tempted to pull the trigger and put Lee in the lineup as a true freshman.
If that happens, the Hawkeyes immediately jump into the nation's top three or four teams in my eyes.
Iowa coach Tom Brands made a comment after the win at Rutgers and said "we have more firepower back home."
Brands was definitely right on target with that statement.
Now he just has to decide what to do with it.
Craig Sesker has written about wrestling for more than three decades. He's covered three Olympic Games and is a two-time national wrestling writer of the year.
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