Many times rankings don't mean $hit. Look at 2008.
1) Minnesota
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Top Recruits: (141) Matt Mincey-Apple Valley, MN, (149) Mario Mason-Moorestown, NJ, (157) Jake Deitchler-Ramsey, MN, (174) Cody Yohn-Alamosa, CO, (197) Ryland Geiger-Scappose, OR, (285) Atticus Disney-Shawnee Heights, KS.
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Minnesota's recruits combined to win a staggering 17 state championships and 3 prep national championships. The Gophers get two wrestlers ranked number one at their respective weight classes by Intermat, Deitchler and Geiger. Also two wrestlers (Mincey and Mason) who are ranked number two at their weight class.Add in Yohn and Disney at two weight classes where Minnesota has needs and you get the top class in the country.
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2) Rutgers
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Top Recruits: (125) Joe Langel-Howell, NJ, (133) Zac Coulas-Ocean, NJ, (149) Trevor Melde-Wayne, NJ, (157) Nick Menditto-Ocean, NJ, (157) Greg Zannetti-Edison, NJ, (165) Scott Winston-Jackson, NJ, (174/184) Dan Rinaldi-Lodi, NJ, (197) Jesse Boyden-Kenilworth, NJ
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Transfer: (141) David Greenwald-Rutherford, NJ (Iowa Central CC), More???
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Rutgers recruits accounted for NINE New Jersey State Titles and four runner-up finishes throughout their careers (remember NJ only has one state tournament). If that's not impressive enough there are two Sr. National Champs, Winston and Langel. Winston is the only NJ wrestler to finish his high school career undefeated. It has taken less than a year for Coach Scott Goodale to turn Rutgers into a force to be reckoned with in the recruiting scene.
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3) Central Michigan
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Top Recruits: (125) Ben Sergent-Troy, OH, (125/133) Scott Sentes-Fort Myers, FL, (165) Eric Cubberly-Pemberville, OH, (174) Ben Bennett-Rockford, MI, (197) Marcel Dubose-Highland Park, MI
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An impressive THREE Sr. National Champions have signed with CMU. Sentes, Bennett and Dubose all came away with titles in Virginia Beach, while Eric Cubberly came home with a third place finish, too. Coach Borrelli's crew of freshman should all have the luxury of redshirting in 09, before being unleashed on the MAC.
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4) Wisconsin
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Top Recruits: (125) Tom Kelliher-Apple Valley, MN, (133) Tyler Graff-Loveland, CO, (149) Ben Jordan-St. Paris, OH, (157) Cole Schmitt-New Glarus, WI, (157/165) Andrew Howe-Hanover, IN, (174) Travis Rutt-Jackson Co., MN
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The Badger's class of 08 features three 3x champs from big-time wrestling states. Jordan, Schmitt and Howe are the three timers, while Colorado's Graff is a four-time champ and ranked #2 in the nation. Wisconsin also was able to steal two solid prospects from Minnesota (Kelliher and Rutt).
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5) Oklahoma State
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Top Recruits: (133) Jordan Oliver-Easton, PA, (149) Jake Peck-Marlow, OK, (157/165) Alex Meade-Camden, DE, (157) Johnny Koepp-Dallas, TX, (197) Tyson Yoder-Weatherford, OK
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Transfer: (125/133) Chris Notte-Palmyra, NJ (Nassau CC)
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This class is headlined by two of the biggest blue-chipper's of 2008, Jordan Oliver and Alex Meade. Both of these wrestler's should thrive under the tutelage of Coach John Smith. Each could start as true freshman. Koepp is the latest Bishop Lynch product to make his way to Stillwater. Peck is yet another body in the OSU room to compete for the 149lbs position.
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6) Iowa
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Top Recruits: (125) Nate Moore-Iowa City, IA, (133) Matt McDonogh-Linn-Mar, IA, (141) Mark Ballweg-Shell Rock, IA, (174) Grant Gambrell-Iowa City, IA
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Transfer: (157/165) Colby Covington-Springfield, OR (Iowa Central CC)
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The Hawkeye's took advantage of a very good crop of Iowa high school wrestlers. Two of the recruits, Moore and Gambrell ended the season ranked number one in the nation at their respective weight classes. Also coming aboard is 2007 NJCAA National Champ Colby Covington. He will attempt to fill in for departing 2x National Champ Mark Perry. The Hawks would find themselves higher on this list if their current lineup wasn't filled with talented juniors-to-be. McDonogh, Ballweg, and Gambrell may not get to compete as redshirt freshman because of the upperclassmen above them.
