Good News Potentially Regarding Sammy Sasso for Iowa Fans...

[Bigfigga1920]

I'm an tOSU fan and as many of you already know, the ohiowrestling.net board has some very dialed in, connected posters. The board's activity runs at a snail's pace, but the quality makes the perusing worth while, as the news is both on point and about as far away from being a homer board it can be.

In saying all this, many of the insiders have claimed Sasso has been an Iowa lean, but Tom Ryan had recently zeroed in on Sasso and was going after him at a rate and to the point of putting OSU right up there in contention to sign him.

Yesterday, after the news of Jaden Mattox committing to the Bucks, I think it's safe to say Sasso is yours to lose and may have been that way regardless of Mattox. In fact, Ryan finding out Sasso is going to Iowa might have made Mattox a take as it is.

Of course though us Buck fans, we would rather suggest Mattox's monster weekend knocking off both Dom Demas and David Carr (both beaten soundly I might add) solidified Mattox's spot at OSU and confirmed his elite status.

We assumed both Sasso and Carr were going to be the main priorities to round up the middle of OSU's lineup following this year's class of Romero (174) and Singletary (HWY), and Rocky Jordan potentially as well.

Jordan is another story in itself as many feel he's not on his brothers level, don't see a spot open for him, but also suggest if he wants to be a Buckeye he will be one as finances would not be an obstacle for the Jordan's family for Rocky to attend OSU and not require scholarship $.

Now with the signing of Mattox, I think it just simply means Mattox=in and Sasso=Iowa now, and David Carr is next to commit. What happens with the Rocky Jordan situation.....I have no idea.

Just thought I'd pass the info along. Sasso is going to be a stud for sure!

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

Thanks for the info. Just one clarification about this year's tOSU recruiting class: Romero, Singletary, possibly, Rocky Jordan, Koontz, and Koontz.

I'm admittedly a huge fan of the Brady and Dylan Koontz, but there's no debating that the Bucks got two phenomenal young men there. Super kids, great students, hard workers, and very tough on the mat -- both likely 2x state champs and 3x place winners, and they didn't compete in high school wrestling as freshmen because they were undersized. Don't count them out for 125 and 133! They do have an interesting Iowa connection, as their folks grew up in Iowa City and they grew up Iowa fans despite living in Wisconsin. They won't make the headlines, but tOSU got a couple of good ones in the Koontz brothers. Their official visit was with Daton Fix; I'd argue that Coach Ryan landed the real big fish that weekend, even though he missed on Fix.

 

[grappler6]

They have Mattix listed as a 157/165. Would guess Sasso still in play for 149/157. I agree it makes it less likely though.

 

[HIWILLE]

Didn't you know Demas and Carr had the flu?

 

[Stanley75]

Thanks for the information.

 

[Bigfigga1920]

Thanks for the info. Just one clarification about this year's tOSU recruiting class: Romero, Singletary, possibly, Rocky Jordan, Koontz, and Koontz.

I'm admittedly a huge fan of the Brady and Dylan Koontz, but there's no debating that the Bucks got two phenomenal young men there. Super kids, great students, hard workers, and very tough on the mat -- both likely 2x state champs and 3x place winners, and they didn't compete in high school wrestling as freshmen because they were undersized. Don't count them out for 125 and 133! They do have an interesting Iowa connection, as their folks grew up in Iowa City and they grew up Iowa fans despite living in Wisconsin. They won't make the headlines, but tOSU got a couple of good ones in the Koontz brothers. Their official visit was with Daton Fix; I'd argue that Coach Ryan landed the real big fish that weekend, even though he missed on Fix.

Two things I'd like to add in response to your post...

First, Rocky Jordan is a junior and won't be a part of this year's class along with Romero/Singletary, but may potentially in the following class with Jaden Mattox already committed, and David Carr the huge target next.

OSU has signed 5 seniors for their next recruiting class, including the twins. They are:

'16/'17 Class

1) Brady Koontz--Plover, Wisconsin (125/133 LBS)

2) Dylan Koontz--Plover, Wisconsin (125/133 LBS)

3) Kaleb Romero--Mechanicsburg, Ohio (174/184 LBS)

4) Chase Singletary--Naples, Florida (285 LBS)

5) Zach Steiner--Creston, Ohio (174 LBS)

'17-'18 Class

1) Jadon Mattox
2) David Carr (hopefully)
3) Rocky Jordan (maybe)

'18-'19 Class

1) Jordan Decatur
2) Jacob Decatur
So far ....both are in.

I'm glad you mentioned the Koontz twins because many, including myself, have automatically assumed the twin signings as simply room depth, and mainly because of the lack of fan fare with the signings.

Without question Romero and Singletary are the headliners and are receiving the most $, but the other 3 aren't scrubs and the Koontz twins are filling a major program hole the second they step on campus.

Tomasello moving up to 133 was a move I don't think Tom Ryan envisioned, and I think he thought Nate was a career 125. I believe this simply because for whatever reason, Ryan has failed to bring in any other 125 pounders, up to and including simple warm bodies with a pulse.

OSU currently has 1 125 pounder on its roster, you read that right ONE 125 pounder and even the one they currently have (Jose Rodriguez) is enormous at the weight and is truly struggling big time making the cut.

Combined with a few injuries, Jose has had to sit a few matches and the Bucks have had to forfeit 125, simply no excuse for a program like Ohio State to resort to that.

I love Tom Ryan, but he's failed MISERABLY neglecting not only having 125 pounders in the room to push Rodriguez... But it's so bad that OSU technically does not have a single, legitimate 125 pounder on its roster as we speak. Mind boggling.

End of Rant and back to Koontz brothers... Not only are they TWO true 125 pounders coming in next season, like the previous poster alluded, they aren't stiffs either... They are multiple state champs and come with free style success. One of the twins could very easily be OSU's starter next season at 125 as a true freshman, and do so simply by default.

Tomasello isn't going back to 125, and Rodriguez doesn't appear likely to make the cut necessary another year. Love that the Koontz twins fill the room with a pair of 125 pounders, and then in the '19 class, both the Decatur twins arrive on campus.

I personally am hoping a veteran, grad transfer pops up and is added in the offseason to man 125 next season, fingers crossed.

The 5th recruit of this next class, Zach Steiner, is a state champ and former teammate of current 197 pounder Kollin Moore of Norwayne High School.

Along with Kyle Snyder's brother Kevin, he too should create some quality depth in the 174/184 range, to go along with last season's commit Elijah Cleary providing depth at 165.

Now only if Isaiah White makes it back to campus from Notre Dame College next season to man 165.....OSU's in business.

I must say though... Iowa is absolutely loading up with talent. Landing Lee was so awesome for not only you guys, but for college wrestling in general.

What a future battle at 125 lying ahead with Lee/Suriano/Fix for us to all enjoy. Prying Marinelli away, along with adding Warner and potentially Sasso... Future is definitely bright for you guys.

It goes without saying but Iowa being great and recruiting once again at a top level is great for the sport. You have to respect what you guys are doing as a fan of wrestling, no matter how much I pretend to dislike Iowa wrestling, you have to respect and admire it all at the same time.

Same goes with Penn State... Iowa is the Mecca, most storied program and Penn State is like the Alabama now of the college football world.

Proud to say OSU is in at least your conversation as a program now.....

 

[ih8iast8]

I feel like I should have an OSU-boner after reading the OP. Thank goodness I don't.

 

[El-Jefe]

Flo had previously announced Sasso's final 5 schools as Iowa, Nebraska, VT, NC State, and UNC.

So this news about Mattox to Ohio State would not appear to change anything about Sasso.

 

[Azchief32]

Flo had previously announced Sasso's final 5 schools as Iowa, Nebraska, VT, NC State, and UNC.

So this news about Mattox to Ohio State would not appear to change anything about Sasso.

Yea,but after that announcement, Tom came at him pretty hard.

 

[edquinn06]

Flo had previously announced Sasso's final 5 schools as Iowa, Nebraska, VT, NC State, and UNC.

So this news about Mattox to Ohio State would not appear to change anything about Sasso.

U sure about that? I thought it was tOSU in he top 5 not UNC.

 

[Bigfigga1920]

Flo had previously announced Sasso's final 5 schools as Iowa, Nebraska, VT, NC State, and UNC.

So this news about Mattox to Ohio State would not appear to change anything about Sasso.

You say this with such certainty that you have me wondering if there is another Flo source I'm missing out on?

Although according to your knowledge, the news of Mattox to OSU would not appear to you to change anything about Sasso... Perhaps I can offer a few facts to possibly change your mind and get what's really going on back on track?

The ironic part in all of this is I actually read about OSU's inclusion in Sasso's top 5 on an Iowa wrestling blog, of all places, which actually cited Flo, of all places, as the source of its info clearly having OSU in Sasso's top 5.. (just as of Jan 18th).

http://iowawrestlingblog.com/2017/01/hawks-are-a-finalist-for-huge-pennsylvania-recruit-sasso/

Now I'm not calling your info wrong... It's just not right.


Here is actual Flo article the Iowa blog referenced listing Ohio State Jan 17th:

http://www.flowrestling.org/article/50738-sammy-sasso-releases-top-5-schools#.WJ4ai-c8Kc1

 

[NYWRESTLER94]

Personally just don't expect Sasso to be a a Buckeye and I'm perfectly fine with that

 

[Bigfigga1920]

Totally agree.... Hence the premise of my entire post. NY... Are you the poster on another board who alluded to not wanting Sasso for an off the mat reason(s)? If so do you care to elaborate?

 

[NYWRESTLER94]

Totally agree.... Hence the premise of my entire post. NY... Are you the poster on another board who alluded to not wanting Sasso for an off the mat reason(s)? If so do you care to elaborate?

Yes I am and no, if it continues it'll present itself I'm not here to bad mouth him I actually think he's a good kid all other things aside and wish him the best of luck where ever he lands

 

[cidhawkeye]

Yes I am and no, if it continues it'll present itself I'm not here to bad mouth him I actually think he's a good kid all other things aside and wish him the best of luck where ever he lands

Vague booking at its best