If we can’t get guys in for the long haul, we need mercenaries to be competitive until we can get guys in for the long haul.
I don't understand why people don't see that NIL and transfer portal is college athletics and it is not about wrestling. Some understand, el dub, looks like you get it, but some fans are ignorant to the point of no common since. And I think just haters in general. Which, is bs in that we should ALL be for the betterment of the team.
First of all. We have long haul guys. Ayala, Block, Schiever, Siebrect, Ratche, Cruz, Caliendo, Brands, Kennedy, Keuter, Hill, Ferrari, Petersen, etc. All line up guys that have either been recruited or transferred in early on. And all are top tier guys. Some a match from AA, some a match from top of the podium. However, equal time for the program is invested in BOTH recruiting HS guys and their development, and also being aware of portal guys and making that a part of the process, AS ALL TEAMS CAN AND DO.
The top teams are working the portal no different then Iowa. And for the top teams, no roster spot is given. PSU had Facundo and Bearclough and brought in Messinbrink. They had Beard and brought in Max Dean. ISU had Paniro Johnson and brought in Chittum and Erchmendia. OSU had Number 1 recruit freshman Carrol and brought in a one year Nat Champ contender in Wyatt H.
So, we are doing the same thing as allowed and as other followed. And yet, our fans sit around and yap about lack of development in our guys?? You think Cael developed Messinbrink? He walks in and competes for a national title Day 1. These kids are coming in out of HS with hundreds of world level matches and are ready to compete Day 1. We have a former HAWK club director on FB complaining about our lack of development??? Are we blind? I'm sorry, but get your head out of your ass and get it into the era of todays college wrestling. Gable, my own idol, it was a different era, and you could take a guy in that era and have them be a Jesse Witmer and pull him in his final season and win a title. When has that happened now?? Any team.
PSU has built a program people want to be a part. So has OSU, OSU, Michigan, Cornell, hell, maybe even the bums in Ames. Iowa has built and continues to build on a great product/environment that kids want to be a part of. Our staff, our tradition, our NIL, our facilities. Our great Carver atmosphere. Hell that alone can be enough for a guy who has been wrestling in front of 2,000 fans and as he matures sees a chance to wrestle in Carver.
Either way, HATS OFF IOWA STAFF!! Keep bring them in! And don't worry about the guys bitching that bitch to bitch!
