Best Career - Duke, Bassett, Blaze, Forrest

[nhs67]

Greetings All,

A decent thread going here on Twatter... who has the best NCAA Folkstyle career and who has the best Senior MFS career?
 

 

[nhs67]

My contribution, more or less, was that Duke has the path of least resistance, Blaze the path of potentially most resistance:
 

 

[Mr. PeanutButter]

Great question

Im thinking PJ Duke for now because his physicality reminds me of Rutherford so I'm predicting a similar career if he stays focused and healthy 

I wonder if Jax and Blaze don't end up wrestling in the same weight class for one or more years. If so, I wonder if they have a back and forth a la Hall-Zahid. 

On the other hand, I didn't realize how tall and long Jax is. I could see him growing into 149 or higher, and that would likely separate him from Blaze.

Unfortunately, I think Bassett has a less "outstanding" career than the other 3. 

Edited Tuesday at 12:56 PM by Mr. PeanutButter

[Truzzcat]

26 minutes ago, nhs67 said:

My contribution, more or less, was that Duke has the path of least resistance, Blaze the path of potentially most resistance:
 

 

saw this tweet and completely agree, I think there is a world where Jax and Blaze really separate from Bo. PJ will have to go through Carr, Mitchell and potentially Keegan likely after this year or at the latest 2026 so I could see him being in a similar situation.

[wrestlingfan22]

I think Jax has the highest ceiling simply based on how dynamic he is. He and PJ have the best offensive output (at the senior level) so far, of the four, but I think that Jax just has that technical ability to score from pretty much anywhere, both offensively and defensively, that could be the difference maker between this group. Marcus has elite positioning and will improve his offense against the top guys over time. PJ is so physical, so powerful, and scores cleanly, so I could see the argument for both of them, but assuming all three continue to develop physically, I think that what could set Jax apart is how he just does stuff nobody else does.

Also, don't take this as Bo disrespect, I just think he is a step behind these three right now, and based on his style/body type, I don't see him being able to score against the top guys the way Jax and PJ can, or control center/positioning as good as Blaze does. Does not mean he won't have an amazing career. 

[RandolphTJones]

Jax

Duke

Blaze

Bo

[steamboat_charlie]

It's a good question.  Gut instinct would be that Forrest has the best freestyle career, but that Blaze or Duke might edge him out for best folkstyle career.  A lot can change in just a year or two, though.  These guys are still young.

I will say regarding Bassett--of the four he's still the most raw.  There's a LOT of room for improvement in his technique.  The shine is definitely off of him at the moment, but if he finds himself in the right situation (and doesn't self-sabotage with his "brand" focus), he could have a dominant four year stretch in college.  

Edited Tuesday at 01:51 PM by steamboat_charlie

[RandolphTJones]

Just now, RandolphTJones said:

Jax

Duke

Blaze

Bo

I also think Lockett may have a better career than Bo-diggity. 

[Gus]

19 minutes ago, RandolphTJones said:

I also think Lockett may have a better career than Bo-diggity. 

I came here to say this. Lockett is probably the rightful fourth guy in the mix rather than Bo. 

[Truzzcat]

6 minutes ago, Gus said:

I came here to say this. Lockett is probably the rightful fourth guy in the mix rather than Bo. 

saw GWO make a tweet about Bo's folk career, and he has a point. Bo has lost twice in folkstyle since 8th grade I believe. Once to Knox and once to Zepeda. I could see him just being better at folk than free because he can get away with being a bit sloppier. That being said I would Also have Dee in the mix with these 4. I also think Dreshaun ross's physical gifts could propel him up this list once he fills out and his technique catches up.

[VakAttack]

I would go Forrest, Duke, Bassett, Blaze.  My ranking is based off general athleticism and dynamism/upside.  If we're including Lockett, he'd be either right before or after Duke.  

[RandolphTJones]

50 minutes ago, Truzzcat said:

saw GWO make a tweet about Bo's folk career, and he has a point. Bo has lost twice in folkstyle since 8th grade I believe. Once to Knox and once to Zepeda. I could see him just being better at folk than free because he can get away with being a bit sloppier. That being said I would Also have Dee in the mix with these 4. I also think Dreshaun ross's physical gifts could propel him up this list once he fills out and his technique catches up.

I wouldn't be shocked if folks think Ross belongs in the top 4 over someone here, I simply have not seen him wrestle enough. 

[RandolphTJones]

44 minutes ago, VakAttack said:

I would go Forrest, Duke, Bassett, Blaze.  My ranking is based off general athleticism and dynamism/upside.  If we're including Lockett, he'd be either right before or after Duke.  

Focusing on college/folk:

While Blaze may have an excellent career, I also wouldn't be shocked if his career might mirror a DeanHeil- type; as in he will wrestle a lot of close matches (Winning most of them) but not showing huge flashes of offense. Don't think he was ever taken down in high school. 2 career losses both in OT. 

[wrestlingfan22]

18 minutes ago, RandolphTJones said:

Focusing on college/folk:

While Blaze may have an excellent career, I also wouldn't be shocked if his career might mirror a DeanHeil- type; as in he will wrestle a lot of close matches (Winning most of them) but not showing huge flashes of offense. Don't think he was ever taken down in high school. 2 career losses both in OT. 

Only ever allowed escape points I believe, no TDs, Backs, or reversals

[neweruser69]

History would point to at least one of these kids flaming out hard once they taste college freedom and escape some of that parental control.

The question is who will it be?

[Wrasslin]

53 minutes ago, RandolphTJones said:

Focusing on college/folk:

While Blaze may have an excellent career, I also wouldn't be shocked if his career might mirror a DeanHeil- type; as in he will wrestle a lot of close matches (Winning most of them) but not showing huge flashes of offense. Don't think he was ever taken down in high school. 2 career losses both in OT. 

 

34 minutes ago, wrestlingfan22 said:

Only ever allowed escape points I believe, no TDs, Backs, or reversals

Let that (above bold) sink in for a second...it wasn't too long ago when we were all fawning over Blaze, remember, like when he beat Forrest at Olympic trials and when he beat Bassett at World trials? Oh yeah, and he's the only one mentioned so far that actually owns an age level world gold medal. Dean Heil could only be so lucky!!! This thread feels a bit like a "what have you done for me lately" kinda thing.

[okokzach]

29 minutes ago, Wrasslin said:

Let that (above bold) sink in for a second...it wasn't too long ago when we were all fawning over Blaze, remember, like when he beat Forrest at Olympic trials and when he beat Bassett at World trials? Oh yeah, and he's the only one mentioned so far that actually owns an age level world gold medal. Dean Heil could only be so lucky!!! This thread feels a bit like a "what have you done for me lately" kinda thing.

I believe Bassett and Blaze are both U17 gold medalists (and U20 bronze)

[Truzzcat]

1 minute ago, okokzach said:

I believe Bassett and Blaze are both U17 gold medalists (and U20 bronze)

Jax has a silver he got leftie headlocked twice for 4 in like the last 40 seconds in the finals.

[Wrasslin]

15 minutes ago, okokzach said:

I believe Bassett and Blaze are both U17 gold medalists (and U20 bronze)

 

14 minutes ago, Truzzcat said:

Jax has a silver he got leftie headlocked twice for 4 in like the last 40 seconds in the finals.

I can admit when I'm 50% wrong! lol! Bassett does have a cadet gold. We'll have to refer to their recent HTH match between Blaze and Bassett then for this tiebreaker then! 

[Truzzcat]

1 minute ago, Wrasslin said:

 

I can admit when I'm 50% wrong! lol! Bassett does have a cadet gold. We'll have to refer to their recent HTH match between Blaze and Bassett then for this tiebreaker then! 

I think Marcus is absolutely incredible and I cant say with 100% certainty that had Marcus beaten Seth that he would not currently be on the team. What I will say is Bill Zaddick needs to find a way to get at least two of these guys at different weights!

[bnwtwg]

We obviously learned nothing from the golden age with JB/Dake/Taylor/Cox/Snyder where they were constantly negatively compared to each other and nitpicked apart rather than appreciated. I don't care who has the best career because we have depth with an emerging new generation. Let's just enjoy having nice things for once.

[RandolphTJones]

1 hour ago, Wrasslin said:

 

Let that (above bold) sink in for a second...it wasn't too long ago when we were all fawning over Blaze, remember, like when he beat Forrest at Olympic trials and when he beat Bassett at World trials? Oh yeah, and he's the only one mentioned so far that actually owns an age level world gold medal. Dean Heil could only be so lucky!!! This thread feels a bit like a "what have you done for me lately" kinda thing.

Not comparing him to Mean Dean at all- Was referencing how I could see him being very defensive and not scoring  ton of points. I'm, always supporting fellow Ohio natives.

 

1 hour ago, Wrasslin said:

 

Let that (above bold) sink in for a second...it wasn't too long ago when we were all fawning over Blaze, remember, like when he beat Forrest at Olympic trials and when he beat Bassett at World trials? Oh yeah, and he's the only one mentioned so far that actually owns an age level world gold medal. Dean Heil could only be so lucky!!! This thread feels a bit like a "what have you done for me lately" kinda thing.

 

2 hours ago, wrestlingfan22 said:

Only ever allowed escape points I believe, no TDs, Backs, or reversals

2 career losses to Deluca and Davino- blue chippers. 

[BruceyB]

4 hours ago, neweruser69 said:

History would point to at least one of these kids flaming out hard once they taste college freedom and escape some of that parental control.

The question is who will it be?

Where does history say this? Who was the last top 5 big boarder to "flame out?"

[bnwtwg]

I would consider a top 10 big board to be at least an AA lock 1x.

Paddy Gallagher instantly comes to mind. Facundo is TBD. Chittum and Carroll are teetering on the edge.

If folkstyle exclusively then Amos, but I don't count world teamers while in college to be "flame outs" I call them "studs with a different priority on a folk team coached by a Bonohead"

[Antitroll2828]

Y’all are sleeping on Anthony Knox he’s beaten Bassett and might end up with a better folk career then anyone listed