Iowa recruiting thread.

[ChiPackHawk]

I understand and generally agree, or at least wonder the same thing. But to a degree, is this not already true even for schollies? Not everybody gets/deserves the same scholly money and the room is not in disarray because of it. And NIL money is not coming from the coaches or U (i.e., the 'employer' here) anyway. Some guys have wealthy parents, some not. It's life. NIL is certaintly a new world, but I don't see the analogy to the employer example you used.

A coach/team is no different of a relationship than an employee manager/staff. Human nature is to be envious of others and both the coach and manager have to oversee people. It was more of a comment on how managing the NIL is similar to the business world.

As for your statement about scholarships - that would be true as you know what you are getting coming in. The NIL is more like a bonus program, As a salesman who has been with a company for a period of time, how do you think he/she would feel if an outside person was brought in and then given a different/more lucrative set of standards? I understand that is the real world, but still complicated to deal with. Just one more headache for college coaches.

 

[LaxHawk174]

For all the negative recruiting talk, hasn’t Iowa now signed three top-5 recruits from the classes of 2023 and 2024? (And it would have been four had Jesuroga not opted for a military career.)

Yes sir. The 2024-2025 roster could have the following big board talent. Bolded guys = a real possibility but not yet committed.

#1 2024 Angelo Ferrari (174/184)
#2 2023 Ben Kueter (285)
#3 2020 Patrick Kennedy (165/174)
#5 2023 Gabe Arnold (174/184)
#5 2021 Drake Ayala (125/133)
#10 2020 AJ Ferrari (possible) (197/285)
#12 2021 Victor Voinovich (149/157)
#14 2022 Anthony Ferrari (157/165)
#16 2020 Jesse Ybarra (125/133)
#22 2023 Ryder Block (141/149)
#24 2024 Miguel Estrada (149)
#29 2022 Aiden Riggins (165/174)
#33 2022 Joey Cruz (125)
#37 2021 Caleb Rathjen (149/157)
#48 2022 Kolby Franklin (197)
#52 2023 Kale Petersen (133)
#52 2021 Michael Caliendo (possible) (165/174)
#56 2024 Dru Ayala (possible) (125/133)
#60 2020 Bretli Reyna (149/157)
#66 2020 Cullan Schriever (133)
#73 2024 Kael Voinovich (possible) (149/157)

 

[Inspiteofourselves]

For all the negative recruiting talk, hasn’t Iowa now signed three top-5 recruits from the classes of 2023 and 2024? (And it would have been four had Jesuroga not opted for a military career.)

if we kept Chittum and Jesuroga we'd be on a roll

 

[MSU158]

Yes sir. The 2024-2025 roster could have the following big board talent. Bolded guys = a real possibility but not yet committed.

#1 2024 Angelo Ferrari (174/184)
#2 2023 Ben Kueter (285)
#3 2020 Patrick Kennedy (165/174)
#5 2023 Gabe Arnold (174/184)
#5 2021 Drake Ayala (125/133)
#10 2020 AJ Ferrari (possible) (197/285)
#12 2021 Victor Voinovich (149/157)
#14 2022 Anthony Ferrari (157/165)
#16 2020 Jesse Ybarra (125/133)
#22 2023 Ryder Block (141/149)
#24 2024 Miguel Estrada (149)
#29 2022 Aiden Riggins (165/174)
#33 2022 Joey Cruz (125)
#37 2021 Caleb Rathjen (149/157)
#48 2022 Kolby Franklin (197)
#52 2023 Kale Petersen (133)
#52 2021 Michael Caliendo (possible) (165/174)
#56 2024 Dry Ayala (possible) (125/133)
#60 2020 Bretli Reyna (149/157)
#66 2020 Cullan Schriever (133)
#73 2024 Kael Voinovich (possible) (149/157)

That is actually prety sick. Still, the crazy part about that is how far they would STILL be behind PSU.

Likely PSU roster for 2024-2025 ranked by FLO at the end of their High School careers:

125: #9 2020 Howard, #2 2024 Lillehdal, #42 2023 Davis and #29 Steen 2021
133: #69 Nagao(AA transfer), #3 2024 Gibson
141: #4 2020 Bartlett, #10 2023 Kasak
149: #4 2021 Van Ness
157: #9 2022 Haines, #5 2024 Sealey
165: #2 2021 Facundo, #18 2022 Mesenbrink
174: #9 2024 Starocci(if he uses it), #7 2023 Barr
184: #6 2024 Ryder, #9 2024 Mirasola
197: #18 2024 Mirasola
285: #1 2019 Kerkvliet

That is 14 top 10's...making the 2 #18's look like chopped liver(Mesenbrink and Mirasola).

 

[slushhead]

How would this look 125 Ayala 133 Teske 141 Woods 149 Voinovich 157 Franek 165 Caliendo 174 Kennedy 184 Brands 197 Assad Hwt Cassioppi. That team would compete and make the team race exciting. Add a fast car at 197 and who knows

In team points at Nationals, I think that hypothetical presents (relative to 2023):

- Upgrades at 125, 157
- Little change at 133, 141, 149, 165, 285
- Major hurdles at 174, 184, 197

So basically a wash. Throwing in AJ at 197 may tip the scales a bit toward an overall improvement in team points for Iowa, but not by 50+ points, which is what is needed (barring unexpected absences in the PSU lineup).

I think you’d have to estimate PSU scores more points at 7 weight classes (133, 149, 157, 174, 184, 197, 285), possibly 8 if Mesenbrink steps in and performs well at 165.

The team race (for 1st) becomes a discussion if Haines, Starocci, and Brooks RS/ORS and Howard can’t go at Nattys, or there are significant injuries/ineligibilities for PSU. At this point in time, the latter would seem to be an issue more so for
the Iowa roster.

 

[rossel 33]

That is actually prety sick. Still, the crazy part about that is how far they would STILL be behind PSU.

Likely PSU roster for 2024-2025 ranked by FLO at the end of their High School careers:

125: #9 2020 Howard, #2 2024 Lillehdal, #42 2023 Davis and #29 Steen 2021
133: #69 Nagao(AA transfer), #3 2024 Gibson
141: #4 2020 Bartlett, #10 2023 Kasak
149: #4 2021 Van Ness
157: #9 2022 Haines, #5 2024 Sealey
165: #2 2021 Facundo, #18 2022 Mesenbrink
174: #9 2024 Starocci(if he uses it), #7 2023 Barr
184: #6 2024 Ryder, #9 2024 Mirasola
197: #18 2024 Mirasola
285: #1 2019 Kerkvliet

That is 14 top 10's...making the 2 #18's look like chopped liver(Mesenbrink and Mirasola).

PSU has outdone everyone else in the portal this year, grabbing 2 AA's:

Truax (4th in 2023)
Nagao (5th)

Cael is such a good coach, I'll bet he turns #69 Nagao into an AA! 🤔

Iowa's haul from the portal so far include 2 non-AA's in Cruz and Voinovich

 

[MVPFAN]

Iowa still needs a ton of help. Change needs to start at the top or the top needs to be changed. Ayala hurt again, I'm not sold on Cruz being more than solid depth. 133 still doesn't have much going on. A healthy Schriever might be the best option but even that is a ways from high AA. We have 1 year of Woods and then possibly nothing if Block can't hold 141 and he wasn't impressive today. 149 and 157 are up in the air, certainly we don't have anyone lined up you could say a high AA contender based on actual results. 174 and 184 have high end recruits in place to take over, will they progress? 197 is a big question. 285 future is a question too with Kueter's part time status. I also think gaining weight might not be real easy for him with that lean frame. Guys like Carrol, Hopke, Attao etc are going to be making gains in skill while Kueter is playing football and they already have a size jump on him.

 

[vhsalum]

PSU has outdone everyone else in the portal this year, grabbing 2 AA's:

Truax (4th in 2023)
Nagao (5th)

Cael is such a good coach, I'll bet he turns #69 Nagao into an AA! 🤔

Iowa's haul from the portal so far include 2 non-AA's in Cruz and Voinovich

michigan's haul was better. But PSU was already ahead the pack and just lengthened the gap.

 

[MSU158]

michigan's haul was better. But PSU was already ahead the pack and just lengthened the gap.

I don't know about that. 3 of the 4 are 1 year stop gaps. Cannon is the only one with 2 years remaining and he will be bumping up a weight. DeAugustino and Cannon are far from sure thing AA's. Davison is at 285, which is too top heavy for him to get above 4th. Finally, how effective will Griffith be at 174?

Meanwhile, Nagao is a legit finalist contender and has 3 years left. Mesenbrink has the max eligibility and screams potential finalist. Truax probably is a finalist contender at 184 as well and is the only 1 year guy.

Simply put, from a NCAA Tournament perspective, I think UofM is getting too much credit for their transfers. Yes, they filled big team needs, but I don't think they even make up for the points they lose from Parris-1st(23.5), Finesilver-R12(1.5), Mattin-R16(5), Medley-R16(2.5), Lamer-R12(4) and possibly Lewan-8th(5.5 and he barely came back last year). That is 42 points to make up for. I just don't see it from that group...

 

[vhsalum]

I don't know about that. 3 of the 4 are 1 year stop gaps. Cannon is the only one with 2 years remaining and he will be bumping up a weight. DeAugustino and Cannon are far from sure thing AA's. Davison is at 285, which is too top heavy for him to get above 4th. Finally, how effective will Griffith be at 174?

Meanwhile, Nagao is a legit finalist contender and has 3 years left. Mesenbrink has the max eligibility and screams potential finalist. Truax probably is a finalist contender at 184 as well and is the only 1 year guy.

Simply put, from a NCAA Tournament perspective, I think UofM is getting too much credit for their transfers. Yes, they filled big team needs, but I don't think they even make up for the points they lose from Parris-1st(23.5), Finesilver-R12(1.5), Mattin-R16(5), Medley-R16(2.5), Lamer-R12(4) and possibly Lewan-8th(5.5 and he barely came back last year). That is 42 points to make up for. I just don't see it from that group...

Yeah. I see what you mean. but Mich got 3 AAs and a former national champ. That's a better haul. How they do? Different argument altogether. The problem is you're giving the PSU transfers the (earned) PSU-bump.

I'd love to see SOMEONE give PSU a run next year. Michigan is at least trying.

 

[MSU158]

Yeah. I see what you mean. but Mich got 3 AAs and a former national champ. That's a better haul. How they do? Different argument altogether. The problem is you're giving the PSU transfers the (earned) PSU-bump.

I'd love to see SOMEONE give PSU a run next year. Michigan is at least trying.

Honestly, I just went by overall value. I truly didn't even consider any kind of PSU bump.

Nagao is a finalist contender because Arujau is the only one I think is a favorite over him. I would put him and Fix at about 50/50. After that, I would say he is a favorite over the field and that is before even considering any improvement at PSU.

Truax took 4th 2 years ago at 184, with a win over Keckeisen. With Brooks going up to 197 and rumors of Hidlay doing the same, Truax is in a great position. Again, that is without even considering any PSU bump.

Finally, Mesenbrink is 5 possible years adding incredible depth between 157-174. With Haines, Facundo and Barr also in that weight range, dog eat dog creates a monster at all 3 weights.


As far as team goes, Michigan isn't placing ahead of Iowa, let alone even being REMOTELY competitive with PSU. Michigan scored 58.5 points last year to take 6th. I would be very surprised if they score more than that this upcoming season. Mind you, PSU scored 138.5....

DeAgustino R12-3points
Ragusin R12-3points
Cannon R12-3 points
149-DNQ
157-Lewan 8th 5.5points Odds are Lewan will not be back. If so, this is very likely a DNQ as well.
165-Amine 4th 12 points
174-Griffith 4th 12 points
184-Rogers (1-2) 1 point
197-DNQ
285-Davison 4th 12 points

That is 51.5 points with 2 of the transfers taking 4th and the other 2 R12. If you give both R12's 8th place that would put them at exactly the 58.5 from last year. Again, the numbers don't lie. Michigan will be hard pressed to score over 60 next year.

 

[vhsalum]

Honestly, I just went by overall value. I truly didn't even consider any kind of PSU bump.

Nagao is a finalist contender because Arujau is the only one I think is a favorite over him. I would put him and Fix at about 50/50. After that, I would say he is a favorite over the field and that is before even considering any improvement at PSU.

Truax took 4th 2 years ago at 184, with a win over Keckeisen. With Brooks going up to 197 and rumors of Hidlay doing the same, Truax is in a great position. Again, that is without even considering any PSU bump.

Finally, Mesenbrink is 5 possible years adding incredible depth between 157-174. With Haines, Facundo and Barr also in that weight range, dog eat dog creates a monster at all 3 weights.


As far as team goes, Michigan isn't placing ahead of Iowa, let alone even being REMOTELY competitive with PSU. Michigan scored 58.5 points last year to take 6th. I would be very surprised if they score more than that this upcoming season. Mind you, PSU scored 138.5....

DeAgustino R12-3points
Ragusin R12-3points
Cannon R12-3 points
149-DNQ
157-Lewan 8th 5.5points Odds are Lewan will not be back. If so, this is very likely a DNQ as well.
165-Amine 4th 12 points
174-Griffith 4th 12 points
184-Rogers (1-2) 1 point
197-DNQ
285-Davison 4th 12 points

That is 51.5 points with 2 of the transfers taking 4th and the other 2 R12. If you give both R12's 8th place that would put them at exactly the 58.5 from last year. Again, the numbers don't lie. Michigan will be hard pressed to score over 60 next year.

Where/what did you hear about lewan? I haven't heard anything other than he's coming back. Plus, if he were wavering they brought back a balding, newly father Massa. I wouldn't bet against that sales pitch from Bormet. lol

 

[MSU158]

Where/what did you hear about lewan? I haven't heard anything other than he's coming back. Plus, if he were wavering they brought back a balding, newly father Massa. I wouldn't bet against that sales pitch from Bormet. lol

He was a last second decision to come back last year and that was his 5th year. It’s my understanding that his schooling became a priority over even wrestling. 6th years can make that very problematic.

It’s an issue McFarland dealt with much more than Bormet has, but it could be an issue in this case…

 

[vhsalum]

He was a last second decision to come back last year and that was his 5th year. It’s my understanding that his schooling became a priority over even wrestling. 6th years can make that very problematic.

It’s an issue McFarland dealt with much more than Bormet has, but it could be an issue in this case…

And just think about all the 4-2 Will Lewan matches we're now going to miss out on.