Hoyt Matthews

Hokie- I did not really even think of this until I read your post....But National Duals could be a huuuugggeee visit weekend for Okie State. Tulsa is not far from Stilly (we stopped in there and worked out with long time friend Beric Jordan when we went to NCAA's in Tulsa) and it was like an hour away maybe. I do not know how long visits can last etc but I imagine they could bring in some kids for that and that would be huge. I know most visits take place during the fall during fb season due to HS kids being in season during the dual part, but man Okie State could bring in a lot of guys to watch National Duals close up and that could be a thing. I would guess the only drawback is with all the other coaches of top programs being around that could be a way for them to get close to the recruits, but I love it and I am here for all of it. As for Tulsa, I like the city. Like any youth dad I did a tour or two there and I always felt like it was fine. That being said I do not think that is the prevailing notion from most.

Willie: Long time lurker.....could not hold off on this topic. How did I do in my guesses? Be honest.

Hokie- Long time Hokie guy? I coached with Zach Niebert for a few years here, was my assistant. Awesome guy and was great for my son and his development and I will forever be indebted to him for that. Not sure if you were around the program when he was at Tech, but it seems like you are close to the program. I sat next to VT at NCAA's one year (Oklahoma City) and their fan base was really good, it was when Dresser was HC and I believe it was the year Dance AA'ed as a Frosh. Either way, good crowd of people who were excited for the program, nice to see VT listed as a school for blue chip kids, I know it was not always that way. It is fun to see the landscape shift over time.

poorwrestler- Not humble, just realistic and honest. I would normally not throw out any ideas outside my own little circle, but I have a deep interest in C/O 2027 obv because Dean is lumped in there. I have seen a lot of these guys at the age level stuff over the years. Again, no real insight here and I do not know a lot of the families etc so I do not want to pretend to. Kind of isolated here in AZ so we dont run into people the same as on the east coast where you drive five hours and run into a ton of people. Also, I do not travel to many of Dean's events anymore as he is at Valiant Prep and I am a Head Coach of another school here in Mesa, AZ. I am a serial message board reader but do not often delve in much, but as stated C/O 2027 is something I am all in on and I am excited to see where it goes. That being said, I think MN will need to expand outside of MN more than in recent memory.

poorwrestler- Ehhhh, solid point. I do feel like Minnesota will be I just do not know who goes there from this list. Minnesota I think going to change things up a bit and go for guys outside Minnestoa. Thought Parrow would have went there honestly (who is a really good kid). Picking up Dekraker and Volk was big recently. I like Eggum and staff, seem like really solid guys. I am sure they will be in on some of these guys. Good thing is in the general scheme of things I am nobody and this is by no means the way it is going to go down.

Truzz- Sonny Amato is super talented and really tough on top. Jersey champ as a Frosh, he is really good there is no doubt there. I think Willie has him in that top 5 for good reason. I wonder where he ends up? I said Rutgers because I mean they gotta keep him there right? IDK, but he is crazy good and I wonder how big he gets. I am not sure how many different staffs recruit the best guys or recruit the best guys at certain projected weights. Again, not sure, but I am sure that Amato is a fantastic get for anyone.

Hokie- I think that VT has a lot in place with their team/roster situation right now, although they did lose some kids who were verballed there (which is not anything against VT I just think this is the way it is now like it or not). VT being in on the Bassett sweepstakes until the end tells me they have money and a good bit of it and in today's landscape that matters. When it comes to elite recruits I hear people say, can you win a national title there(general, whatever school a kid is considering) ? And in VT's defense, yeah they have done just that and been relevant there, so that is a major plus. Top team finishes, $, and lots of hardware at NCAA's make a place pretty attractive for a kid. I am not sure they NEED much this year, but sometimes those are the best classes bc there is no pressure to sign 8-10 kids. Find kids you really like and feel good about and because you are not all over the place casting a huge net you can really vet your guys and end up with some guys you have great connections with that really want to be Hokies. IDK, my 2 cents.

Truzzcat- Thank you for the kind words about Dean, much appreciated. I also figured that Cruz would have a relationship with those guys and that might play in to either Lehigh or Penn. Fun to speculate, but you never really know what is going to happen. Especially with portal business post NCAA's every year, seems like that creates ripples all throughout the pond, which normally as a wrestling nut I am here for. Yet, for c/o 2027 I would not mind there being way less drama in the portal, for purely selfish reasons!

Not sure if these are all under the radar types, but all had good RS campaigns and are guys I am interested in seeing on the mat on a more regular basis. From OU both Braun and Beric Jordan had good RS seasons Adrian Meza from ISU was ranked top 30ish at one point but I think ended up being officially shirted. Ferrari at Iowa had a heck of a year in RS. Aeodon Sinclair Mizzou Manville at ASU- has had a great Spring Kaleb Larkin- ASU LJ Araujo- Nebraska Cody Merrill- Oklahoma State ASU has a 184 Aziz that got hurt early but he is fun to watch for sure

OKOK- Not sure...had a monster weekend. I guess he had been considered an Okie State lock, but that is not the case apparently. Dude has not missed in big competitions, I am unsure on him now with the recent result which was not a breakout because he has been dynamite all along. I would say if he is in Stilly now that he probably stays there and I would say Okie State. However, I can see Oklahoma making a play on him as Sykora has done a great job pulling people in. Guessing he is a career 25 which is always a need and commands big money. So.....Okie State? Maybe in his time in the Cowboy WC he had some relationship with Gilman so possibly PSU. He was an age level World Medalist so will have an Olympic shirt for 2028....and being that he is a c/o 2027 could he Oly shirt in 2027 and RS in 2028, I mean he has to have more appeal than most there if he was willing to do it. I am guessing whatever school lands him needs a high level RTC (RBY in Stillwater does not hurt the cause at all).

Cornhusker- I would bet the Nebraska Prospect Camp would be a good place to kind of start to get an idea who they are in on. I think that camp has 40 ish kids come in and the kids are from all over. It is post 6/15, but I would guess if they are there they got a call on 6/15.

Class of 2027 Guesses: ****Please note, I have no inside info, these are just some guesses based on a myriad of different factors and maybe what seems to make sense, at least to me.*** Melvin Miller- Iowa. Just do not see a world where he does not go with Bo to Iowa. Not even sure where I would guess outside of Iowa. Obv everyone will be after him, he is an absolute monster. Joe Bachman- Lehigh or PSU. I think Lehigh has a really good year next year which attracts some more folks and they also do a great job with their guys and education is top notch, feels like a fit maybe. If not Lehigh, would be hard to see PSU letting him slip out of PA. Saw UPenn in the mix somewhere, maybe this forum, so that could be a thing as well. Darian Cruz is a really good assistant I think. Sonny Amato- Rutgers or VA Tech. Amato is a huge talent and it would be hard see RU letting him get away, because I am sure they want to lock Jersey down. Seems like he would also be a fit with VA Tech because he is in that weight range where they have had lots of success recently. Landon Sidun- Iowa, PSU, and VA Tech- Iowa very much in play per willie so obv that is an indicator. Kid is a massive talent and VA Tech has signed some real dudes of late so just a thought. PSU should also be a player here I am guessing as it would be hard to see him leaving PA. Side note would be awesome to see Pitt snag him- maybe with Roselli there they have a shot. Borge- Oklahoma State or Mizzou- Just going based off geography here. I know as a youth he wrestled out of MO, so figuring would be a homecoming of sorts, and am also guessing they know him pretty well. As noted he will be attending HS in Stilly, so that would have one think they have to have a great shot there. I also think he can be a good bit bigger and end up 65/74? Maybe. Also, I could see him being a fit at Iowa. Burnett- Ohio State/PSU/Purdue. Burnett is really solid, well coached and competes hard. Again kind of a theme here but would be hard for me to see Ohio State not putting up a massive push to keep him home. However, teammate Blaze is headed to PSU so I imagine that relationship runs deep and he could end up there. Other teammate is at Purdue and I wonder with Ramos on staff if that is an attractive option. Mario Carini- Oregon St/ASU/Michigan. Carini has placed at everything as an underclassman in the heavier weights, which proves his mettle. It is a need weight for ASU and he is close, ASU has not gotten a ton of Poway guys but you would think they are in play. Also, Oregon State has had tons of success with elite CA kids of late and Willie noted that they will be one of the most improved teams in the country, so adding those two together this is what I have. Also, Michigan because they have a strong RTC and Poway kids wrestle a ton of FS/GR and also who wouldn't want a pipeline to Poway? Tsarni- VA Tech/NC State. Not sure here, kind of threw a few schools out there. Again, he is a monster get for someone and again with the trend of what I have written VA Tech has been getting some really highly ranked kids of late, so this may be a thing? Also, NC State in the mix, I would think need weight plus proximity may make for a great match. Lucas Boe- Mizzou/Iowa State- Boe from LHP in Florida so he would be a great get and could help a pipeline with a program that just seems to churn out dude after dude. Interesting to note that LHP goes to all the majors and their kids are battle tested, they may have had the toughest schedule in the country. That being said ISU is on it in terms of recruiting and I can see them going hard after him, because he would be a great fit with Perry/Metcalf. And I do not know why but I just think Missouri as well. Of note though, many LHP kids go to Ivies and schools with high academics, if that is the case add Cornell, UVA, UNC, and Stanford in the mix. Dean Anderson- He is my son, no comment. Clinton Shepherd- Indiana/Nebraska/Purdue. Not sure on Indiana, not sure at all but again you would think they would throw the kitchen sink at him to get him to stay in state. He has tons of upside and wonder what he projects. I saw him at UWW U17 trials two years ago and he was massive for 132, wonder how big he gets, especially after a layoff from injury. You would think Purdue as well would be possible (see Indiana comment). I could also see him fitting in at Nebraska as he is solid in all positions and just a go getter. Sean Kenny- Lehigh/Va Tech/Rutgers. Another really good one close to Rutgers. Rutgers really making the push to be a top 8-10 team year after year at NCAA's and that only gets easier with locking down top Jersey talent. Would think Lehigh would be a fit as well because they are going to have a great season so that may help the process. Again, see VA tech. Note in Willie's first calls he talked about VA Tech going in big on a few guys and so maybe I thought he would be a guy because he is certainly good enough to warrant attention from everyone. Knopoka- NCST, Lehigh. No real feel here but with a kid from CT guessing Jack has an in for NC State. Also Lehigh (I know bullish on them) academics and high level wrestling would be a fit as well. Hayden Schwab- UNI. Jessie Grajeda- ASU/Cal Poly/Oregon State/Stanford. Bosco has sent a ton of kids to ASU and not sure if the Valencia to ASU pipeline is as open as it once was but I am guessing he would be a fit at a need weight for them. Valencia at Okie State may shake things up a bit but they are so loaded in there may be hard to get someone else in there. Oregon State would be a fit as it was noted earlier that Oregon State has landed quite a few elite CA prospects. Maybe throw Stanford in there as they do not have tons of need but Grajeda is a good one for sure. Perhaps Cal Poly could make a run here as well. Kikinou- UNC or Cornell. Poway sending come guys to UNC (Navida/Towson etc) has me think they have a shot in there and it seems the Poway kids do lean to schools with high academics and wrestling, so mix that with Koll who did spend time in CA at Stanford and is a master recruiter/CEO and I think you have UNC in the mix. Also, see Cornell as it seems this may be a fit for him. He is a Greco guy and Oregon State has had some guys in the Greco mix so maybe that works? IDK Gabe Logan- Michigan or Cornell. Michigan connection with dad who was an AA for them. As for Cornell, he is a Delbarton kid and obviously the Grey connection is a thing (see Perentin). Seemingly, Cornell is getting a boatload of guys and they all cannot start so wonder what happens here if kids start to think there will be a massive logjam. Brock Rothermel- Pitt/Ohio State. Pitt is close and have Roselli who is really really good at working with guys so maybe that is a fit. I say Ohio State because I can see them making a big push into PA, especially if they do not land Burnett. Seamus Regan- NCST- From SC, rumored somewhere he likes NCST which would seem to be a good proximity fit at least. Is at McCort so he will be all over the majors (events) and probably will get lots of attention from everyone. Maybe the connection with Iowa comes into play here and they can pick him up, but not sure thats a huge need for them. Gavin Mangano- Rutgers. Long Island kid who would be close to home in Piscataway, so maybe that is a thing. New York has seen a resurgence in the number of kids coming out of it (always been tough but down a little for a few years now seemingly stronger) and RU wanting to be a perennial top ten may see him as a huge pickup. He is a guy that is long so i wonder how big he can get over the next 2-3 years which makes me wonder wonder what he projects at, which could change all this hence my only listing one school. Jimmy Mastny- Illinois/Northern Iowa. Mastny is really really good and Illinois would do well to keep him at home. That would be huge for them as a program to land him as he is a really good big guy who started his youth as a smaller guy so he moves really well and is not a plodder. I also could see him being a guy who would fit in at UNI style wise, just a gritty dude that scraps and hand fights hard. *****Disclaimer, I have no real inside knowledge on any of this, but as noted before because I have been to a ton of events with Dean I have seen a lot of these kids and followed this class quite a bit from Junior High Rankings to now*** Just thought it may be good to get the ball rolling on this topic a little before 6/15.