1/14 in developing these elite recruits into champs, not counting those who haven't wrestled for them yet.
Does Iowa recruit okay? Sure, but they're doing less with more compared with a lot of programs that aren't PSU.
When only saying champ or bust, you are fairly accurate. Although, Cornell is really the only other one than PSU that I would say does a better job creating champions. tOSU has really been the epitome of either full on success or straight up bust with their top guys.
With that said, of those listed above for Iowa, who had the wrestling style that you thought was a guaranteed NCAA Champ coming in? To me, it was only Lee.
2014- Stoll was too limited in movement and wrestled like an old school 285, in an era where fast, athletic 285's were taking over. Mid to high AA was his ceiling and he achieved that.
2015- Kemerer-Although I think he would have a title if he ever stayed healthy, you have to remember he was ranked behind Joseph coming in. He wasn't even the top guy at his weight. Then he had the pleasure of having Nolf at his weight, Hall and then Starocci. All were higher ranked recruits and have proven to be generational talents.
2016- Marinell-Watching Hall manhandle him gave me pause early. I could see he was limited. The guy was the consumate grinder with immeasurable heart. But, his wrestling style was always going to be limited and it showed itself once you had the top 33 in a bracket.
2017- Lee-see above. Warner-You have to remember he was dominating a high school weight class that many consider the least talented weight at that age level. As good as he was, nearly all his offense relied on go behinds and inside knee taps. Once scouted, many of his opponents limited his offense very well. Still, he ALMOST got it done and he became my favorite Hawkeye to ever cheer for.
2018-Cass-He was the #3 285 behind Gable and Parris. Mind you, 1 of them is now an Olympic Champ and the other just won a World Bronze.....
2019-N/A
2020-Kennedy-Insert the description used for Marinelli and you probably wouldn't need to change a single word.
2021-Ayala-He still has quite some time to prove himself. Wrestling as a TF, he looked really good until injured.
2022-Blame Chittum's dad for not being able to assess this class.
2023-Arnold-I will go on record as saying I will be REALLY disappointed if Arnold doesn't win at least 1. Everything about him, his family and his wrestling has me convinced. If Kueter were all in on wrestling only, I would hold him to the same standard. Since he isn't, I don't think it would be fair to assess him on a champ or bust basis.
2024-Ferrari-He is too talented not to win one. Even if you don't like the family, his brother has proven they know how to win. I fully expect at least 1 out of him as well.
So, to be fair, I think we disagree on grading Iowa solely on their prior top recruits not winning it all. But, we do agree that they need to recruit the "right type" of top recruit to get it done. In the past 2 years, I think they have done that with Gabe and Ferrari. These 2 have the skill sets to dictate matches, vs. being limited by the right gameplan.
Let's look back at these guys in a few years and if they haven't won titles, I would agree that the problem goes deeper than what I have thought so far.
