We have a great recruiting class for 2023 with multiple guys that are college ready. I could very well see 2 maybe 3 guys starting as true freshman. Weight by weight projection for next year.
125 Witcraft: full year at 25 will help seed and consistency flashed at big 12 can definitely be a round of 12 or low AA next. Who knows what the weight class looks like nationally especially with it being an Olympic year
133 Fix: I think the best thing for fix to do would be take an Olympic redshirt and come back in 2025 shrink his body so making 57 kg is more manageable go win an Olympic gold freestyle is definitely his better style with his top game and the step out rule. That would mean that we start Cael Hughes as a true freshman at 133. I think it’s a good idea because I’m not sure he’s going to be able to hold 133 so probably going to move up to 141 eventually. there would be kinda a log jam if he just did a traditional redshirt.
141 Redshirt carter and let Alvarez wrestle his senior year. Alvarez could AA or he could go 1-2 honestly have no idea but Carter does need time to heal and coaches would bring in Alvarez for no reason.
149 I expect a big jump from VV. He was in a lot of close matches this year and will get has 3 years of eligibility left could definitely see a multiple time AA. VV has great leg attacks and will figure out how to finish it’s the little things.
157 Hopefully Jordan Williams puts on some good weight this offseason and locks down this spot. He has the frame to at least be a 157. Very offensive and had a decent southern scuffle. Lost to march from NDSU 10-9 in the quarters but was down 6-0 and got multiple takedowns to get back into the match. Also had a solid win round 1 over qualifier from Maryland. Backside loss was to a veteran who is tough. Definitely going to have growing pains throughout the year but at next years ncaa when the lights are bright he could very well show out.
165 This is the weight I’m worried about most I have no clue the gameplan but a solid transfer would be nice but no idea.
174 They have options here but my hope would be redshirt Plott let wittlake drop down to 174 Plott has 2 years left so let the weight thin out a little bit. Also with the talent we’re bringing in we will be a lot better 2 years from now when he will be entering his last year. Wittlake looked outsized a lot at 184 but at 174 I think he could be a legit AA contender. He had a brutal draw at the ncaa tournament this year.
184 Hopefully we see a new face in Brayden Thompson. Very solid in the hand fight not going to get worked over by anyone definitely a full 184. Will win a lot of close matches for osu over his career and could gain very valuable experience wrestling as a true freshman.
197 Surber will continue to improve. Great wrestler with a great attitude and effort. Had flashes this year and will continue to improve.
285 Hopefully another fresh face with Christian Carroll. Carroll could AA no doubt in my mind. Love Doucet but Carroll is already on a different level. Carroll has good offense and good defense. Physical in the hand fight.
Overall I’m disappointed by the 2023 ncaas but John smith should still be the coach at osu no doubt 2 bad ncaa is not the end of the world. Next year I think we finish 6-10 range but the next year after I think we can win it all Penn state loses a lot after 2024
125 Witcraft: full year at 25 will help seed and consistency flashed at big 12 can definitely be a round of 12 or low AA next. Who knows what the weight class looks like nationally especially with it being an Olympic year
133 Fix: I think the best thing for fix to do would be take an Olympic redshirt and come back in 2025 shrink his body so making 57 kg is more manageable go win an Olympic gold freestyle is definitely his better style with his top game and the step out rule. That would mean that we start Cael Hughes as a true freshman at 133. I think it’s a good idea because I’m not sure he’s going to be able to hold 133 so probably going to move up to 141 eventually. there would be kinda a log jam if he just did a traditional redshirt.
141 Redshirt carter and let Alvarez wrestle his senior year. Alvarez could AA or he could go 1-2 honestly have no idea but Carter does need time to heal and coaches would bring in Alvarez for no reason.
149 I expect a big jump from VV. He was in a lot of close matches this year and will get has 3 years of eligibility left could definitely see a multiple time AA. VV has great leg attacks and will figure out how to finish it’s the little things.
157 Hopefully Jordan Williams puts on some good weight this offseason and locks down this spot. He has the frame to at least be a 157. Very offensive and had a decent southern scuffle. Lost to march from NDSU 10-9 in the quarters but was down 6-0 and got multiple takedowns to get back into the match. Also had a solid win round 1 over qualifier from Maryland. Backside loss was to a veteran who is tough. Definitely going to have growing pains throughout the year but at next years ncaa when the lights are bright he could very well show out.
165 This is the weight I’m worried about most I have no clue the gameplan but a solid transfer would be nice but no idea.
174 They have options here but my hope would be redshirt Plott let wittlake drop down to 174 Plott has 2 years left so let the weight thin out a little bit. Also with the talent we’re bringing in we will be a lot better 2 years from now when he will be entering his last year. Wittlake looked outsized a lot at 184 but at 174 I think he could be a legit AA contender. He had a brutal draw at the ncaa tournament this year.
184 Hopefully we see a new face in Brayden Thompson. Very solid in the hand fight not going to get worked over by anyone definitely a full 184. Will win a lot of close matches for osu over his career and could gain very valuable experience wrestling as a true freshman.
197 Surber will continue to improve. Great wrestler with a great attitude and effort. Had flashes this year and will continue to improve.
285 Hopefully another fresh face with Christian Carroll. Carroll could AA no doubt in my mind. Love Doucet but Carroll is already on a different level. Carroll has good offense and good defense. Physical in the hand fight.
Overall I’m disappointed by the 2023 ncaas but John smith should still be the coach at osu no doubt 2 bad ncaa is not the end of the world. Next year I think we finish 6-10 range but the next year after I think we can win it all Penn state loses a lot after 2024