#7 Overall Merrill Chooses Iowa State

One of the highest-ranked uncommitted wrestlers from the Class of 2026 has committed. Coby Merrill (JW North, CA) the #7 overall recruit in the Class of 2026 has committed to Iowa State. Merrill is currently ranked second in the nation at 285 lbs. 

Merrill is a three-time California state finalist and an undefeated state champion in 2025. Prior to his sophomore year of high school, Merrill finished in third place in both styles at the Junior level in Fargo. The year before he was seventh in 16U freestyle and a Greco-Roman national champion. Merrill has also captured titles at California’s prestigious Doc Buchanan Invitational in each of the last two seasons. In 2024 at 220 lbs and 285 lbs in 2025. 

Earlier this year, Merrill competed at the U20 Open and finished sixth at 125 kgs after falling in the semifinals. 

Merrill is slated to compete in Fargo this week. Team California’s preliminary roster lists Merrill at 285 lbs for Junior freestyle, but he’s not listed for Greco-Roman. 

Surprisingly, Merrill is the first recruit from the Class of 2026 to give Kevin Dresser’s team a verbal commitment. Merrill projects as a heavyweight at the next level. That weight isn’t a pressing need for the Cyclones as they have Daniel Herrera currently as the long-term starter. Herrera qualified for nationals as a true heavyweight and is expected to redshirt as Yonger Bastida finishes his career in 2025-26. That would allow Merrill to redshirt his first year on campus before the two may overlap. But those are good problems to have and for another day. 

Before choosing Iowa State, Merrill took fall visits to Cornell, Princeton, and Stanford. His older brother Cody will be a redshirt freshman at Oklahoma State next year.