Iowa likely preseason rankings

[edquinn06]

125- As of now Cruz will likely be #18. I’m excited for Deluca, but he did miss a lot of time last year with injury. He’s gonna get better but probably takes a RS. Petersen has been talked about as a possible transfer and he most likely would start the year at #7

133-Drake will probably be the #3 behind the last two champs

141- Does Bailey go here or does he RS and take over 133 next year? Probably would start at #8

149-Williams, Block, KV, Estrada? Who knows. If Williams he would probably be #5

157- VV, Block, Williams, Estrada? Who know. Probably be in the #15-20 range

165-#2 for Cali
174- #2 for PK
184- not sure where they put Ferrari with the win over Plott. Probably #5ish
197-?
285- #3 behind Trumble and Michigan guy.

Interesting if a school can convince AJ to go heavy. The top three ranked guys are not very big. He may think he can take that weight.

Cali to 157 would be ideal to get Arnold in the lineup, but I don’t think there is any chance that is going to happen.

What are ur thoughts on all this?

 

[johnyt9]

125- As of now Cruz will likely be #18. I’m excited for Deluca, but he did miss a lot of time last year with injury. He’s gonna get better but probably takes a RS. Petersen has been talked about as a possible transfer and he most likely would start the year at #7

133-Drake will probably be the #3 behind the last two champs

141- Does Bailey go here or does he RS and take over 133 next year? Probably would start at #8

149-Williams, Block, KV, Estrada? Who knows. If Williams he would probably be #5

157- VV, Block, Estrada? Who know. Probably be in the #15-20 range

165-#2 for Cali
174- #2 for PK
184- not sure where they put Ferrari with the win over Plott. Probably #5ish
197-?
285- #3 behind Trumble and Michigan guy.

Interesting if a school can convince AJ to go heavy. The top three ranked guys are not very big. He may think he can take that weight.

Cali to 157 would be ideal to get Arnold in the lineup, but I don’t think there is any chance that is going to happen.

What are ur thoughts on all this?

Bastida will be ahead of BK too most likely

 

[edquinn06]

Bastida will be ahead of BK too most likely

Correct. Forgot about him

 

[GableBeer]

I think Angelo will be top 3 to start the season.

 

[edquinn06]

I think Angelo will be top 3 to start the season.

Probably

 

[WDMHawk72]

125- As of now Cruz will likely be #18. I’m excited for Deluca, but he did miss a lot of time last year with injury. He’s gonna get better but probably takes a RS. Petersen has been talked about as a possible transfer and he most likely would start the year at #7

133-Drake will probably be the #3 behind the last two champs

141- Does Bailey go here or does he RS and take over 133 next year? Probably would start at #8

149-Williams, Block, KV, Estrada? Who knows. If Williams he would probably be #5

157- VV, Block, Williams, Estrada? Who know. Probably be in the #15-20 range

165-#2 for Cali
174- #2 for PK
184- not sure where they put Ferrari with the win over Plott. Probably #5ish
197-?
285- #3 behind Trumble and Michigan guy.

Interesting if a school can convince AJ to go heavy. The top three ranked guys are not very big. He may think he can take that weight.

Cali to 157 would be ideal to get Arnold in the lineup, but I don’t think there is any chance that is going to happen.

What are ur thoughts on all this?

Caliendo not cutting to 57. He's a 2x AA and finalist at 65 - he's not going anywhere

 

[edquinn06]

Caliendo not cutting to 57. He's a 2x AA and finalist at 65 - he's not going anywhere

Yes, I didn’t really want to entertain it, but couldn’t help myself.

 

[MVPFAN]

125- As of now Cruz will likely be #18. I’m excited for Deluca, but he did miss a lot of time last year with injury. He’s gonna get better but probably takes a RS. Petersen has been talked about as a possible transfer and he most likely would start the year at #7

133-Drake will probably be the #3 behind the last two champs

141- Does Bailey go here or does he RS and take over 133 next year? Probably would start at #8

149-Williams, Block, KV, Estrada? Who knows. If Williams he would probably be #5

157- VV, Block, Williams, Estrada? Who know. Probably be in the #15-20 range

165-#2 for Cali
174- #2 for PK
184- not sure where they put Ferrari with the win over Plott. Probably #5ish
197-?
285- #3 behind Trumble and Michigan guy.

Interesting if a school can convince AJ to go heavy. The top three ranked guys are not very big. He may think he can take that weight.

Cali to 157 would be ideal to get Arnold in the lineup, but I don’t think there is any chance that is going to happen.

What are ur thoughts on all this?

Rolling with Cruz again is not acceptable. We didn't get Bailey to back fill 133, he will be at 141.

 

[js8793]

125- As of now Cruz will likely be #18. I’m excited for Deluca, but he did miss a lot of time last year with injury. He’s gonna get better but probably takes a RS. Petersen has been talked about as a possible transfer and he most likely would start the year at #7

133-Drake will probably be the #3 behind the last two champs

141- Does Bailey go here or does he RS and take over 133 next year? Probably would start at #8

149-Williams, Block, KV, Estrada? Who knows. If Williams he would probably be #5

157- VV, Block, Williams, Estrada? Who know. Probably be in the #15-20 range

165-#2 for Cali
174- #2 for PK
184- not sure where they put Ferrari with the win over Plott. Probably #5ish
197-?
285- #3 behind Trumble and Michigan guy.

Interesting if a school can convince AJ to go heavy. The top three ranked guys are not very big. He may think he can take that weight.

Cali to 157 would be ideal to get Arnold in the lineup, but I don’t think there is any chance that is going to happen.

What are ur thoughts on all this?

Who is the other champ at 133? Crookham? He didn't win. I'd expect Drake to be ranked ahead of him to start. Apologies if I'm completely spacing on someone.

 

[dtripp26]

I wonder how BK will be ranked if he's not expected to see the lineup until late January at the earliest. I could see him unranked and then enter the rankings in the 5/6 range, depending on how the top heavies have looked to that point.

Bk was a guy whose results steadily improved as the season went on. Unfortunately he won't have that luxury this coming season, and will have to be ready to hit the ground running, or his seed could take a hit in March.

 

[dtripp26]

Who is the other champ at 133? Crookham? He didn't win. I'd expect Drake to be ranked ahead of him to start. Apologies if I'm completely spacing on someone.

Drake should be #2, based off 2025 NCAA finish.

But polls sometimes factor in extenuating circumstances, and don't always reflect previous years finish.

 

[ChiPackHawk]

Who is the other champ at 133? Crookham? He didn't win. I'd expect Drake to be ranked ahead of him to start. Apologies if I'm completely spacing on someone.

Byrd has another year I believe.

 

[Bhabbaganoosh]

Who is the Michigan heavyweight your are putting BK behind?

Heineken is done and Taye Ghadiali placed 8th last year.

BK placing 8th this year would go ahead of last years 8th.

But 3rd is right, behind Trumble and Bastia.

 

[Fan In Black]

Cali is never going to 57. Ironside confirmed.

 

[js8793]

Byrd has another year I believe.

I know about Byrd. I'm not aware of a second champ he would be ranked behind.

 

[GableBeer]

I know about Byrd. I'm not aware of a second champ he would be ranked behind.

World champ Ono maybe

 

[24timenattychamps]

World champ Ono maybe

Would be hard to put him in front of a returning finalist with no folkstyle credentials, at least to start.

 

[GableBeer]

Would be hard to put him in front of a returning finalist with no folkstyle credentials, at least to start.

Don’t disagree but no doubt he’s going to be the favorite heading into the season

 

[johnyt9]

Drake should be #2, based off 2025 NCAA finish.

But polls sometimes factor in extenuating circumstances, and don't always reflect previous years finish.

Drake is a 2-time finalist. Crookhams best finish is 3rd no?

 

[dtripp26]

Drake is a 2-time finalist. Crookhams best finish is 3rd no?

That's why I stated he should be second. But that's not always how things work when injuries and redshirt, etc are factored in...you know, extenuating circumstances.

 

[johnyt9]

That's why I stated he should be second. But that's not always how things work when injuries and redshirt, etc are factored in...you know, extenuating circumstances.

is the extenuating circumstance that he holds wins over an injured Vito? b/c as of now he hasn't shown to finish higher than Drake

 

[edquinn06]

Who is the other champ at 133? Crookham? He didn't win. I'd expect Drake to be ranked ahead of him to start. Apologies if I'm completely spacing on someone.

Crookham and Bryd will be ranked head of Ayala.

 

[edquinn06]

Drake is a 2-time finalist. Crookhams best finish is 3rd no?

Crookham was the champ two years ago ahead of RBY, Fix, and Vito

 

[edquinn06]

Who is the Michigan heavyweight your are putting BK behind?

Heineken is done and Taye Ghadiali placed 8th last year.

BK placing 8th this year would go ahead of last years 8th.

But 3rd is right, behind Trumble and Bastia.

Probably right.

 

[ff141]

Crookham was the champ two years ago ahead of RBY, Fix, and Vito

He was not

 

[edquinn06]

Correct. Man my brain is shot. Damn jet lag

 

[MVPFAN]

Crookham was the champ two years ago ahead of RBY, Fix, and Vito

I'm pretty sure he wasn't.

 

[98lberEating2Lunches]

An undefeated Crookham was ranked #1 this year until injury. Some won't lower his past ranking based on injury. So he may start ranked ahead Byrd and Ayala.

 

[24timenattychamps]

An undefeated Crookham was ranked #1 this year until injury. Some won't lower his past ranking based on injury. So he may start ranked ahead Byrd and Ayala.

Because he was the highest returning placer and hadn’t lost yet. He’s not going to be ahead of Byrd or Ayala to start the year based on a 3rd place finish 2 years prior.

 

[98lberEating2Lunches]

Because he was the highest returning placer and hadn’t lost yet. He’s not going to be ahead of Byrd or Ayala to start the year based on a 3rd place finish 2 years prior.

Possibly. But didn't both Byrd and Ayala lose while Crookham remained undefeated? We all know rankings differ.

WrestleStat already has Crookham #1 for its 2026 preseason ranking.

WrestleStat | Division I Wrestler Rankings | 2026

www.wrestlestat.com

So surely, Intermat could rationalize keeping a Lehigh Valley boy going to Lehigh #1 given @smalls103 background.

 

[MVPFAN]

Drake has to be kicking himself. Two years in a row with finals matches vs beatable guys and didn't get it done. It's going to be tougher next year.

 

[TrollsRus]

Because he was the highest returning placer and hadn’t lost yet. He’s not going to be ahead of Byrd or Ayala to start the year based on a 3rd place finish 2 years prior.

Agreed. Perfectly stated. However, if anyone puts him 1 it will be Flo. JD has a knack for over complicating it.

 

[Bucky712]

125 - Peterson
133 - Ayala
141 - Bailey
149 - Williams
157 - Estrada
165 - Caliendo
174 - Kennedy
184 - Angelo Ferrari
197 - A.J. Ferrari
285 - Kueter

 

[MALOS]

125 - Peterson
133 - Ayala
141 - Bailey
149 - Williams
157 - Estrada
165 - Caliendo
174 - Kennedy
184 - Angelo Ferrari
197 - A.J. Ferrari
285 - Kueter

I would replace Estrada with Victor Voinivich based off results. Voinivich didn’t replace Teemer last year in order to preserve his redshirt. The younger Voinivich beat Estrada twice last year.

 

[MVPFAN]

125 - Peterson
133 - Ayala
141 - Bailey
149 - Williams
157 - Estrada
165 - Caliendo
174 - Kennedy
184 - Angelo Ferrari
197 - A.J. Ferrari
285 - Kueter

I like Estrada but not as a 157, too short. Peterson at 125 is not a viable option for more than 1 reason.

 

[T8KUDWN]

I like Estrada but not as a 157, too short. Peterson at 125 is not a viable option for more than 1 reason.

Dean Peterson not Kale Petersen...

 

[shiphappens]

I think he means Dean Peterson, the RU wrestler in the portal, not Kale.

 

[just_somebody]

Possibly. But didn't both Byrd and Ayala lose while Crookham remained undefeated? We all know rankings differ.

WrestleStat already has Crookham #1 for its 2026 preseason ranking.

WrestleStat | Division I Wrestler Rankings | 2026

www.wrestlestat.com

So surely, Intermat could rationalize keeping a Lehigh Valley boy going to Lehigh #1 given @smalls103 background.

Its also a lot easier to remain undefeated when you only wrestle 5 matches. Not necessarily arguing Crookham shouldn't be #1, just that his 2025 results shoudn't be the reasoning.

I also don't think rankings matter a whole lot, but would almost rather DA get ranked behind those guys; takes off just a little bit of pressure and adds a little bit of motivation, not that he should be short on that anyway.

 

[MVPFAN]

Dean Peterson not Kale Petersen...

That sounds better.

 

[HerkHawl]

Byrd has another year I believe.

And by mid-year, Davino might be #1 (because I don't count Ono as real collegiate wrestler).