Billy Pierce was the one that probably started the heavyweight tradition under JRob.
Joe Nord did split some time with Ben Berhow at heavyweight prior to Tony Nelson. Nord was a tweener and was also in the lineup at times at 197. Berhow was R12 as a junior and lost the spot to Nelson as a senior. Nord (Columbia) and Berhow (Iowa) were thought by many to be quality assistant coaches.
Penn State roster is super deep. What I’m saying is that I think the 5 Minnesota wrestlers that I listed would make the 30 man roster this year and that I don’t believe Cael would be too interested in anyone else on the Gophers roster. I mean, I think 3 AA’s with multiple years of eligibility and 2 promising freshmen would fit.
How many wrestlers from your favorite team do you think could land a spot on the PSU 30 man roster this season?
For Minnesota I believe there are 5:
Volk 125 battle with LL
Vombaur 141 could start with Davis RS
Millard 165 backup (157 is full)
McEnelly 184 battle with Welsh
Hopke 285 battle with Mirasola
This might be the season of the Braxton Amos coming out party. He out wrestled Bastida for most of their match and looks big and strong at the weight. I’d imagine that having Cassioppi in the room is helping a lot.
Only the championship matches of the Cyclone Invitational were on ESPN +. Elam looked like his old self but I don’t know much about the UVU wrestler that he faced in the final.
Drake Rhodes has 2 more years, he looked good until the knee injury. I would expect him back at 165 or possibly 174. Could we see C Swenson all the way up to 174?
Ferrari, McEnelly, Ryder/Barr, Welsh?, Sinclair?, Berge. And I’m sure that others will emerge. Should be a fun weight class to watch for quite some time.
So if Arnold sits against Nebraska it is a clear duck. If he sits against OkSt it is because Tommy Boy thinks Ferrari gives them the best chance to defeat the Cowboys. I can’t think of a reason for them to use Ferrari against Minnesota.