First up, Nelson Brands is officially returning to Iowa to wrestle for one final season in 2024-25:
Brands was suspended for the entire 2023-24 season as part of the gambling investigation.
His return does create some interesting questions for Iowa in the 165-174-184 area of the lineup. Iowa already has Michael Caliendo, a returning All-American, at 165. Patrick Kennedy and blue-chip recruit Gabe Arnold split time at 174 for Iowa last season, with generally good results (albeit no podium finish at the NCAA Tournament). 184 was a big problem for Iowa last season, with Aidan Riggins struggling to fill that spot in the lineup effectively. Kennedy is likely too small for 174 and Arnold prefers 174 as well. Brands has wrestled 184 in the past, though he's had his most success at 174 as well.
Incoming frosh Angelo Ferrari, another blue-chip recruit, should be a factor in the 174-184 area of the lineup as well.
Brands was suspended for the entire 2023-24 season as part of the gambling investigation.
His return does create some interesting questions for Iowa in the 165-174-184 area of the lineup. Iowa already has Michael Caliendo, a returning All-American, at 165. Patrick Kennedy and blue-chip recruit Gabe Arnold split time at 174 for Iowa last season, with generally good results (albeit no podium finish at the NCAA Tournament). 184 was a big problem for Iowa last season, with Aidan Riggins struggling to fill that spot in the lineup effectively. Kennedy is likely too small for 174 and Arnold prefers 174 as well. Brands has wrestled 184 in the past, though he's had his most success at 174 as well.
Incoming frosh Angelo Ferrari, another blue-chip recruit, should be a factor in the 174-184 area of the lineup as well.
