Winners Circle

This could double as a line you'd hear in a sci-fi movie about time travel.

Figured this would be a fun 'dog days of summer' discussion. In an offseason that I feel has seen more head coaching changes than normal, who do we think has a bigger impact on their respective program? Donny Pritzlaff - Columbia Donnie Vinson - Buffalo Ben Bennett - Central Michigan David Taylor - Okie State Adam Hall - Utah Valley The question is not who will place higher at NCAA's, because obviously Taylor would be the frontrunner for that. But, who will have more success compared to where they finished last year. Who will see the most improvement in the first year, in 3 years, and in 5 years? For me, I still think the answer is David Taylor to all three. But I see Vinson and Hall both doing great things. Both of those two were left with a relatively bare cupboard and it's only a matter of time before they start getting higher level recruits (UVU has already started with Bearclaw) and developing the under-the radar kids.

I would not link Cal Bap to Duke from an academic standpoint. Interesting.

Cobe***

Apologies. It was @Gus's claim.

That I don't know. I just was disputing your claim to J. Frost having to take a major step forward in order to take the spot from Redding.

Didn't J. Frost beat Redding last year in wrestle-offs? And E. Frost beat Grice. If I remember correctly. **Edit**: Upon further research I was correct.

We sure the next school he goes to will get four years out of him? Seems like he has a hard time sticking around one place too long.

Jared Simma just made the blood round and had Shane Griffith on the ropes in the quarters. I'd imagine he'll be 174 no?

It was a joke about him transferring many times.

They have Canon Acklin coming in too in Class of 2024. 4x OK 5A State Champ, 2x Super 32 Blood Round, NHSCA AA. He's a 125/133 early on and will likely grow into 133/141 later in his career.

2023 U20 World Team Trials Runner-Up to Bouzakis. Beat Aden Valencia in challenge tourney finals.

99% sure he beat Nasir Bailey at 2023 U20 Trials.

I think the term 'killer' is different for each of these elite level winners. Cael Sanderson probably approached training different than Brands bros did. Both ultra successful, but different. But the similarity is that they both go ALL-IN on their method of training. You can't be ultra successful if you're not ALL-IN.

Gotcha. Misunderstood your OP. I agree the portal dates a screwed up.

I understand all of that. I was just pointing out the rate of improvement comparative to someone who's been in an elite training room.

To an extent. A few years ago he had teched Nick Lee in FS. Fast forward to now, Nick Lee just beat him at OTT. So has he progressed, yes of course. But maybe not at the same rate as someone in an elite training room.

Isn't that a possibility at every school, regardless of if they get a new coach or not? Unless you win the national title, there's always a chance your coaching staff will recruit over you (whether that means stud high school kids or transfer portal). It's part of the game. It's the coaches job to win, literally. If you don't do that, they'll find someone who will.

Yea, I don't think he can transfer out right? The window has already close I believe.

Pretty sure he beat Nasir Bailey last year at U20 trials. Different style, yes and over a year ago. But Nasir is a title contender in 2025. Take that for what it's worth.

Anyone that wins at the level Gable, Cael, JWS, DT, Dake, JB, Big Bruce, etc. is an ultra-competitive killer that will do anything (within the rules) to win.

I guess you missed @Gus's post half an hour before yours...

Claiming a 4x World/Olympic Champ (and beat an all-timer in Yazdani to win every title) is not a killer is a wild take.

I think it's more likely Belton goes 133 than Schwartz. Seems like Schwartz's 133 days are long gone. He's been at 141 for 2 years now. And I am pretty certain he transferred out of UNCO because he knew Alirez was dropping to 141 and he wanted to go 141 himself.

Please share.