@RB07OSU - I need another break down for next year, with this year behind us. Lay it out for me.....also, to make you work for it....PSU, I have to assume next year will be a down (for them) year, losing Cassar, Sheed, Nolf, and Nickal. I mean they still have Hall, RBY, Joseph, Lee, and I'm sure some talented FR that they redshirted. Will the gap between us be closed a bit?
It's going to be a really interesting year for both teams, as both sides lose some staples. Losing M. Jordan, McKenna, and Martin isn't going to be easy at all on our end even though PSU loses a bunch of guys. Next year is going to be a crapshoot to predict in many ways because both PSU and OSU are going to be relying heavily on young guys who we haven't seen wrestle at the college level (or at the college varsity level). That being said, next year should be an opportunity year (everyone knew PSU would run away with it this year) and I think the gap will be closed a bit, but not just for OSU. Some other programs have recruited lights-out and may be right at the heels (OK State, Iowa, *ichigan, Cornell and Arizona State come to mind). But OSU has recruited extremely well, so my breakdown in this:
125: Heinselmann is undoubtedly talented, but he needs to get in the weight room in a big way. I would almost say take 3-4 months off wrestling and just lift. He has the technique and athleticism to be a force at the weight, but he is grossly undersized. However, not sure he is a championship caliber guy, a 5th-8th place finish might be his ceiling (which obviously would not be bad). Not saying that is the case for sure, but tough to tell until he bulks up. I honestly think it was a mistake to pull his RS.
133: Luke is back for a senior campaign and we are in good hands here, he always shows out at the NCAA's. But issue is that none of Fix, Micic, Suriano or Phillippi graduated. At least one of those guys likely moves up a weight, but Luke has to really elevate his game if he wants to beat Fix, Micic or Suriano. Incoming freshman Jordan Decatur will be primed to take this spot over once Luke leaves and I wouldn't be surprised to see him push Luke for the spot right away.
141: Joey's absence will be felt, but will be mitigated by Quinn Kinner or JD Stickley. I am saying it likely will be Kinner, but Stickley is right there. Kinner did very well in his redshirt year, but will need to step up big time to fill the void there. I think Kinner is championship-level good from a talent perspective, but I would be surprised if he contends for a title with guys like Yianni D., Nick Lee, Eierman, etc. at the weight. But we need him to contend for AA status from the gate.
149: Definitely will miss the bonus point machine that was Mic Jordan but again, we have a huge mitigating factor in Sammy Sasso. Sasso beat around 7-8 ranked wrestlers in his RS season (I think, off the top of my head) and word is that he was often beating Mic in the room or at least contending. With the redshirt season in the bag and both Ashnault and Finesilver graduating, I think its pretty open for Sasso to make a run for the title and I think he has the talent to do it. Jaden Mattox is also at 149 and is very talented, but I suspect he bumps up to challenge Hayes.
157: Hayes definitely has to step it up for his senior year, as 2018-19 was not close to the best he can wrestle. He is undersized at 157 and maybe he bumps back down to 149 and Sasso bumps up. That might honestly be the best lineup scenario for the team. But Hayes could be a title contender if he wrestles to his talent level and we need him to be. Incoming freshman Isaac Wilcox could push for the spot, but I suspect Hayes (or Sasso) fend him off.
165: Was hoping Romero was going to be the next big thing at 165, but I don't think he is. Granted it was his freshman year and he has plenty of time to improve, but he has to step it up next year. If he doesn't, Carson Kharchla is going to take the spot. Even if Romero does step it up, I see Kharchla as our 165 next year...Kharchla is the next big thing here and imo will compete for a title immediately. He's that good, going to be fun to watch him wrestle.
174: I am of the opinion that Ethan Smith has a very bright future here, he had a very respectable freshman campaign. But Rocky Jordan might have something to say about that, as I think Rock is going to be our 174 next year. Rocky is every bit as talented as his older brothers and is going to have a great career here. I'm not sure he competes for the title when you look at 174 and who is coming back (Hall, Valencia, Amine, Kutler, Lujan, Skatzka, Labriola, etc.), but he is going to make an immediate impact. And either way, I think the plan might have already been for Smith to go up to 184 with Martin gone. If not, it will be interesting to see if Smith or Jordan take the spot.
184: There is going to be a noticeable drop-off here, you just can't replace Myles Martin. But Gavin Hoffman was the #1 wrestler in the nation at his weight as a recruit and he had an excellent RS campaign. If Smith bumps up, he has a tall task in fending off Hoffman. I think Hoffman is a first year AA type talent and will be a powerhouse for us. Expect a good year for Hoffman.
197: Kollin Moore is finally going to get that title with Nickal gone, mark it down. He will be our senior leader and captain, and will not lose a match in 2019-20.
HWT: Chase actually had a pretty decent freshman year overall and like Malik at 125, he will need to put on some good weight in the offseason, as I honestly think that is the only thing holding him back. I expect him to push for AA status next year, the talent and ability are there.
- I think we are definitely a title contender next year, but its going to be close. PSU returns Bravo-Young, Nick Lee, Joseph and Hall, and they have many talented RS guys and some incoming freshman just like we do. But I do think we have out-recruited them in the last couple of classes and should be set up to take them off the top spot for awhile.
