Beyond the 2024 Big Board

Last week saw MatScouts release the final Big Board for the recruiting Class of 2024. Its release signifies the end is near for the current crop of high school seniors (and now perhaps graduates?), at least from a talent evaluation and rankings standpoint. Of course, InterMat’s recruiting rankings are in the works and nearly ready for release. That will officially turn the page and put the focus squarely on the Class of 2025 and beyond. 

Before we look past the Class of 2024, there was plenty to takeaway from the final Big Board. Some are obvious, but other items need more attention before realizing a trend. 

Below are plenty of items related to the 2024 Big Board and, in some cases, how it compares to past recruiting classes or interesting notes about a wrestler, state, or school. 

Luke Lilledahl finishes as the #1 overall recruit in the Class of 2024. This marks only the third time since Cael Sanderson has been at Penn State that the school has signed the #1 overall recruit. It’s also the first time since Mark Hall in 2016. The other two are Morgan McIntosh (2011) and David Taylor (2009). Additionally, they did get Greg Kerkvliet who was #1 in 2019 to transfer within the first year. 

Lilledahl is also the first wrestler from the state of Missouri to earn the #1 overall distinction during this modern era of recruiting (2005-present). 

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