Highest Placing Freshman at Each Weight

[steamboat_charlie]

I haven't been following everything that closely this summer and don't have a great grasp on who the newcomers to keep an eye on are at each weight class.  So, I will take a stab at this and let you guys correct me where I'm missing things.  Counting redshirt freshmen as well as true frosh here:

125) Marc-Anthony McGowan - Princeton - True Freshman.  It feels like his high school career didn't exactly end with a bang, but it wasn't exactly a tragedy either.  Still a high tier recruit, and even though his coach left he'll have to be thinking, I've just gotta live my life.  

133) Nic Bouzakis - Ohio State - RS Freshman.  I think he can beat anyone in this weight class outside of the top 2.  I also think he'll take some head scratching losses--in part because he's a freshman, and in part because that's just who he is.  

141) Mac Church - Virginia Tech - True Freshman.  How good is this kid?  I don't know much about him.  He's got a great name though.  Sounds more like a quarterback than a wrestler, but still cool none the less. 

149) Michael Gioffre - Virginia - RS Freshman.  The Lannister boy.  This kid is pretty tough.  Solid in all three positions.  Not a ton of offensive firepower but that could come later, he looks the part. Could see him moving up into the R12 range this year.  

157) Meyer Shapiro - Cornell - True Freshman.  One of, if not the best, recruits of the past five years.  His potential is scary, and he's already scary good.  Predicting a true freshmen to compete for a title is a little silly but I think I have to do just that.  AA at minimum.  

165) Nick Hamilton - Virginia - RS Freshman.  Had a nice redshirt season.  Don't know much about him.  The other possibility at this weight is Mesenbrink forcing his way into the PSU lineup.  I'd guess Facundo will go, but not sure anyone knows at this point.  

174) MJ Gaitan - Iowa State - RS Freshman.  I gotta be honest, I've never seen  him wrestle.  He was a highly ranked recruit, that's about all I know.  

184) Bennett Berge - SDSU - RS Freshman.  Can he translate his freestyle results into folkstyle success--remains to be seen.  Took a few lumps in open comp last year.  I think this kid is a stud.  South Dakota has quite a salty lineup this year.  

197) Luke Geog - Ohio State - RS Freshman.  Not sure he'll be in the lineup to start the season, but I think he'll pass up Hoffman before the year is over.  Breaking into the top 8 at 197 this year looks very difficult, though.  Mac Stout is another freshman to watch at this weight--I went with Geog due to their respective matches vs. Davison.  

285) Dayton Pitzer - Pitt - RS Freshman.  I know people would expect Feldman here, but I'm going to go Pitzer.  For one, Feldman hasn't wrestled a match in over a year.  And second, Pitzer made the finals at Midland as an undersized true freshman and has wins over guys like Schultz and Hillger.  

 

Who'd I miss?

[ionel]

8 minutes ago, steamboat_charlie said:

285) Dayton Pitzer - Pitt - RS Freshman.  I know people would expect Feldman here, but I'm going to go Pitzer.  For one, Feldman hasn't wrestled a match in over a year.  And second, Pitzer made the finals at Midland as an undersized true freshman and has wins over guys like Schultz and Hillger.  

Pitzer Pitzer!!

[nhs67]

184 - Rylan Rogers, Michigan

He may take some bumps because he is in the B1G and there are no easy outs there, but he will be right up there with Berge in contention for best (RS) Frosh.

141 - Sergio Lemley, Michigan

If the plan is to redshirt Ragusin (which is not set in stone either way that he is or isn't), then we could see him make an impact Year 1.  People are expecting a lot out of Kanon Webster, but a lot of folks conveniently forget that Lemley has the series edge on him.

149 - Dylan Gilcher/Sergio Lemley/Beau Mantanona, Michigan,

If Mayora struggles... which I don't expect to happen until B1G season gets underway, we may see Gilcher enter the lineup and cement himself for the Maize and Blue at 149.  It is also quite possible that Lemley ends up at 149 for them, if Ragusin doesn't redshirt.  I suppose the same could be said for Mantanona for them, if he cements himself as the best option at 149 for UofM.

197 - Hayden Walters, Michigan

If Bullock cannot stay healthy and Walters cements himself as the best option for Michigan at 197 over the likes of Yatooma and Striggow, which I believe might be the most realistic avenue, we might see Walters step in and take over the spot.

[nhs67]

19 minutes ago, steamboat_charlie said:

141) Mac Church - Virginia Tech - True Freshman.  How good is this kid?  I don't know much about him.  He's got a great name though.  Sounds more like a quarterback than a wrestler, but still cool none the less.

I believe the plan is for Crook to redshirt this year, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them pull his redshirt if it means a spot on the podium for a team finish.  Virginia Tech has a sneaky good and deep team this year and with Cassioppi out for the year it makes one less landmine for Catka to go through.

All I mean is I wouldn't be surprised to see some lineup shifts happen (Lewis to 184, for example).

[Hillbilly Jim]

Is Kannon Webster for sure gonna redshirt?  Is he gonna be 141 or 149?

[Antitroll2828]

1 hour ago, steamboat_charlie said:

I haven't been following everything that closely this summer and don't have a great grasp on who the newcomers to keep an eye on are at each weight class.  So, I will take a stab at this and let you guys correct me where I'm missing things.  Counting redshirt freshmen as well as true frosh here:

125) Marc-Anthony McGowan - Princeton - True Freshman.  It feels like his high school career didn't exactly end with a bang, but it wasn't exactly a tragedy either.  Still a high tier recruit, and even though his coach left he'll have to be thinking, I've just gotta live my life.  

133) Nic Bouzakis - Ohio State - RS Freshman.  I think he can beat anyone in this weight class outside of the top 2.  I also think he'll take some head scratching losses--in part because he's a freshman, and in part because that's just who he is.  

141) Mac Church - Virginia Tech - True Freshman.  How good is this kid?  I don't know much about him.  He's got a great name though.  Sounds more like a quarterback than a wrestler, but still cool none the less. 

149) Michael Gioffre - Virginia - RS Freshman.  The Lannister boy.  This kid is pretty tough.  Solid in all three positions.  Not a ton of offensive firepower but that could come later, he looks the part. Could see him moving up into the R12 range this year.  

157) Meyer Shapiro - Cornell - True Freshman.  One of, if not the best, recruits of the past five years.  His potential is scary, and he's already scary good.  Predicting a true freshmen to compete for a title is a little silly but I think I have to do just that.  AA at minimum.  

165) Nick Hamilton - Virginia - RS Freshman.  Had a nice redshirt season.  Don't know much about him.  The other possibility at this weight is Mesenbrink forcing his way into the PSU lineup.  I'd guess Facundo will go, but not sure anyone knows at this point.  

174) MJ Gaitan - Iowa State - RS Freshman.  I gotta be honest, I've never seen  him wrestle.  He was a highly ranked recruit, that's about all I know.  

184) Bennett Berge - SDSU - RS Freshman.  Can he translate his freestyle results into folkstyle success--remains to be seen.  Took a few lumps in open comp last year.  I think this kid is a stud.  South Dakota has quite a salty lineup this year.  

197) Luke Geog - Ohio State - RS Freshman.  Not sure he'll be in the lineup to start the season, but I think he'll pass up Hoffman before the year is over.  Breaking into the top 8 at 197 this year looks very difficult, though.  Mac Stout is another freshman to watch at this weight--I went with Geog due to their respective matches vs. Davison.  

285) Dayton Pitzer - Pitt - RS Freshman.  I know people would expect Feldman here, but I'm going to go Pitzer.  For one, Feldman hasn't wrestled a match in over a year.  And second, Pitzer made the finals at Midland as an undersized true freshman and has wins over guys like Schultz and Hillger.  

 

Who'd I miss?

Robbie howard is still considered a Redshirt Freshman and will be 125 for penn state , if he’s fully recovered it’s a lock he ll AA

[Gus]

2 minutes ago, Antitroll2828 said:

Robbie howard is still considered a Redshirt Freshman and will be 125 for penn state , if he’s fully recovered it’s a lock he ll AA

Howard could AA but he’s certainly no lock to. 

[steamboat_charlie]

5 minutes ago, Antitroll2828 said:

Robbie howard is still considered a Redshirt Freshman and will be 125 for penn state , if he’s fully recovered it’s a lock he ll AA

How is that possible?  Seems to me he should be a RS Sophomore. 

[nhs67]

15 minutes ago, Antitroll2828 said:

Robbie howard is still considered a Redshirt Freshman and will be 125 for penn state , if he’s fully recovered it’s a lock he ll AA

I don't think you're using the term correctly...

"
What does a lock mean in slang?

someone or something certain of success; a sure thing

'He's a lock to win the championship.'
/"

[Antitroll2828]

11 minutes ago, steamboat_charlie said:

How is that possible?  Seems to me he should be a RS Sophomore. 

His only year wrestling was the 2020 Covid shortened season, which was a free year , he used his redshirt the next season then medical redshirt after , he has 4 years of eligibility left 

[Antitroll2828]

2 minutes ago, nhs67 said:

I don't think you're using the term correctly...

"
What does a lock mean in slang?

someone or something certain of success; a sure thing

'He's a lock to win the championship.'
/"

Sir I can assure you I used lock correctly , as in if his shoulder is good and he doesn’t reinjure it then he’s a lock to AA , I think it’s a sure thing he’s on podium if healthy 

[Antitroll2828]

18 minutes ago, Gus said:

Howard could AA but he’s certainly no lock to. 

Agree to disagree 

[Wildcat92]

1 hour ago, nhs67 said:

184 - Rylan Rogers, Michigan

He may take some bumps because he is in the B1G and there are no easy outs there, but he will be right up there with Berge in contention for best (RS) Frosh.

141 - Sergio Lemley, Michigan

If the plan is to redshirt Ragusin (which is not set in stone either way that he is or isn't), then we could see him make an impact Year 1.  People are expecting a lot out of Kanon Webster, but a lot of folks conveniently forget that Lemley has the series edge on him.

149 - Dylan Gilcher/Sergio Lemley/Beau Mantanona, Michigan,

If Mayora struggles... which I don't expect to happen until B1G season gets underway, we may see Gilcher enter the lineup and cement himself for the Maize and Blue at 149.  It is also quite possible that Lemley ends up at 149 for them, if Ragusin doesn't redshirt.  I suppose the same could be said for Mantanona for them, if he cements himself as the best option at 149 for UofM.

197 - Hayden Walters, Michigan

If Bullock cannot stay healthy and Walters cements himself as the best option for Michigan at 197 over the likes of Yatooma and Striggow, which I believe might be the most realistic avenue, we might see Walters step in and take over the spot.

i don't see any way Lemley would be competitive at 149 this year.  I think he struggles at 141 if hes in the lineup, given that he was 132 last HS season.  I would think a redshirt would be the best thing for him.  On a side note, I had no clue Angel Escobedo was his uncle.  How in the world did he not end up at IU??

[TylerDurden]

1 hour ago, nhs67 said:

184 - Rylan Rogers, Michigan

He may take some bumps because he is in the B1G and there are no easy outs there, but he will be right up there with Berge in contention for best (RS) Frosh.

141 - Sergio Lemley, Michigan

If the plan is to redshirt Ragusin (which is not set in stone either way that he is or isn't), then we could see him make an impact Year 1.  People are expecting a lot out of Kanon Webster, but a lot of folks conveniently forget that Lemley has the series edge on him.

149 - Dylan Gilcher/Sergio Lemley/Beau Mantanona, Michigan,

If Mayora struggles... which I don't expect to happen until B1G season gets underway, we may see Gilcher enter the lineup and cement himself for the Maize and Blue at 149.  It is also quite possible that Lemley ends up at 149 for them, if Ragusin doesn't redshirt.  I suppose the same could be said for Mantanona for them, if he cements himself as the best option at 149 for UofM.

197 - Hayden Walters, Michigan

If Bullock cannot stay healthy and Walters cements himself as the best option for Michigan at 197 over the likes of Yatooma and Striggow, which I believe might be the most realistic avenue, we might see Walters step in and take over the spot.

Is this really a possibility? Lemley wrestled 132 in HS last season, correct? 

 

Edit: same question as Wildcat had a couple minutes sooner.

Edited September 27, 2023 by TylerDurden

[nhs67]

5 minutes ago, Wildcat92 said:

i don't see any way Lemley would be competitive at 149 this year.  I think he struggles at 141 if hes in the lineup, given that he was 132 last HS season.  I would think a redshirt would be the best thing for him.  On a side note, I had no clue Angel Escobedo was his uncle.  How in the world did he not end up at IU??

 

3 minutes ago, TylerDurden said:

Is this really a possibility? Lemley wrestled 132 in HS last season, correct? 

 

Edit: same question as Wildcat had a couple minutes sooner.

He is listed as 141 on their 'official' roster page and not 133.  My hope was Horwath at 125 and Lemley at 133, but it doesn't look like it at this point.

I don't know if he is growing, or they are just planning for him to be 141(ish) going forward.  Some guys do grow and Michigan has shown that (Drew Mattin went from 125 to 141 in one season for them and Zach went from 126 his senior year of HS to 165 his second season in the room for them... those are just recent examples).

This said... if Mayora isn't putting out high results and Ragusin is at 141, I expecte Jerore, Lemley, Gilcher, and possibly even Mantanona to be given a fair shake to start.  Kids are more ready now than they ever were coming out of high school.

Also, if you had a chance to wrestle for UofM... which is arguably the 2nd best RTC in the country right now... or Indiana, even with familial ties... where do you go?

[nhs67]

10 minutes ago, Antitroll2828 said:

Sir I can assure you I used lock correctly , as in if his shoulder is good and he doesn’t reinjure it then he’s a lock to AA , I think it’s a sure thing he’s on podium if healthy 

He isn't a lock.

[steamboat_charlie]

13 minutes ago, Antitroll2828 said:

His only year wrestling was the 2020 Covid shortened season, which was a free year , he used his redshirt the next season then medical redshirt after , he has 4 years of eligibility left 

 

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

15 minutes ago, Antitroll2828 said:

His only year wrestling was the 2020 Covid shortened season, which was a free year , he used his redshirt the next season then medical redshirt after , he has 4 years of eligibility left 

The Vito Fix Micic 8 year plan.

[TylerDurden]

15 minutes ago, Wildcat92 said:

i don't see any way Lemley would be competitive at 149 this year.  I think he struggles at 141 if hes in the lineup, given that he was 132 last HS season.  I would think a redshirt would be the best thing for him.  On a side note, I had no clue Angel Escobedo was his uncle.  How in the world did he not end up at IU??

My guess i$ Michigan had more to offer. I've heard from pretty reliable folks that Escobedo has been outbid for the top kids out of Indiana (*cough* Mendez *cough*). He's in the mix, but he's fighting an uphill battle for the elite recruits. 

I don't blame the kids for choosing what they feel is the best offer, most of us would. I'm also not suggesting there aren't other factors to choose a place like Ohio State or Michigan, for instance, over IU - the administrations and boosters at those schools choose to support the programs at vastly different levels (RTCs, etc.) - but damn, it would be nice for IU (or Purdue) to land those kids and become competitive in the conference. 

 

 

Edited September 27, 2023 by TylerDurden

[Antitroll2828]

1 minute ago, steamboat_charlie said:

 

Indeed it’s a unique situation, at least he was young when he arrived at college (17/18) and not like Chittum whose like 22 already 

[Antitroll2828]

1 minute ago, Interviewed_at_Weehawken said:

The Vito Fix Micic 8 year plan.

In all fairness , howard dealt with injuries , I don’t remember those guys being hurt, he’s more on the Micheal Kemerer 7 year plan 

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

Just now, Antitroll2828 said:

Indeed it’s a unique situation, at least he was young when he arrived at college (17/18) and not like Chittum whose like 22 already 

Plus, he has already retired once!

https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2020/03/126-pound-final-bergen-catholics-robert-howard-leaves-legacy-for-all-to-see.html

[nhs67]

1 minute ago, Antitroll2828 said:

In all fairness , howard dealt with injuries , I don’t remember those guys being hurt, he’s more on the Micheal Kemerer 7 year plan 

I agree with this.

I still don't see him as a lock, though.

3 minutes ago, Antitroll2828 said:

Indeed it’s a unique situation, at least he was young when he arrived at college (17/18) and not like Chittum whose like 22 already 

Has he been approved for the medical redshirt already?  I didn't think they could until eligibility was used up?

[Antitroll2828]

1 minute ago, Interviewed_at_Weehawken said:

Plus, he has already retired once!

https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2020/03/126-pound-final-bergen-catholics-robert-howard-leaves-legacy-for-all-to-see.html

Lol I was in the building for that , it was pretty corny thing to do 

[Antitroll2828]

Just now, nhs67 said:

I agree with this.

I still don't see him as a lock, though.

Has he been approved for the medical redshirt already?  I didn't think they could until eligibility was used up?

Cael said in the off-season that Robbie will get all his eligibility back and still has 4 years , so idk if that’s Cael just knowing the system or if they received conformation or what but Cael isn’t known for just randomly spouting bs so I’ll take him at his word