Redshirt or Ready?

Redshirt or Ready?

Jul 1, 2014 by Christian Pyles
Redshirt or Ready?
When looking over the country’s top newcomers entering the fold, there’s a lot to consider as far as assessing readiness. Some guys I watch and immediately think they’re ready to compete on the next level. Some, I’m not so sure. I’m going to do a rundown of the top 10 Seniors who are heading into college this year

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When looking over the country’s top newcomers entering the fold, there’s a lot to consider as far as assessing readiness. Some guys I watch and immediately think they’re ready to compete on the next level. Some, I’m not so sure. I’m going to do a rundown of the top 10 Seniors who are heading into college this year

This is not a prediction of whether or not a guy will or will not redshirt. For example a guy like Sam Stoll may be ready for the big time, but it obviously would be pointless to wrestle him this year with Telford in his last year. This is an assessment of readiness: Do I think this guy is ready to compete at an All American level. Adam Coon is an example of a guy who was clearly ready. No, he didn’t place last year, but we all know he was All American if not National Champion caliber for much of the year. Obviously J’den Cox and Zain Retherford were primary examples of guys as well who were ready to go right away.

Think about David Taylor. As a RS his best win was Daryl Cocozzo and he fell to Cyler Sanderson (Who was 6th that year) and Bubba. A year later he dominated everyone not named Bubba en route to a runner up finish. DT was a guy who needed a redshirt to reach his full potential.

To the Top 10:

1. Kyle Snyder-Ready. Alright, this one isn’t exactly a brain buster. The kid, in my opinion, has been the best high school wrestler in the country for around 2 years now. Yes, he just spent a year training exclusively Freestyle. It’s not going to be a factor. The mat has always been more of an ancillary aspect of his game. He’ll get out on bottom and be amazing from neutral. He won’t be turning the best guys, and that’s ok. He’ll be one of the best leg attackers at 197. His offense v. J’den Cox’s positioning and defense? Can’t wait to see those two go at it.  Instant impact top 5 talent with title contending ability.  

2. Chance Marsteller-Ready. Not just ready, but Chance needs to wrestle right away in my opinion. He could be slotted anywhere between 157-174 this year I’d imagine (yes, I think he has the frame suited for 57). Chance is a guy who has had a lot of outside distractions influence his wrestling life. I think it’s important to get him in the mix immediately. Him redshirting could be a bit risky, so I think Chance would really benefit from wrestling. Then there’s the actual skills. He’s got em. I think a lot of his offense is partially horsepower reliant, which is not necessarily transitional on a broad level. Being very strong will always have its advantages, however, Chance will need to diversify his ability to work for angles and finishing shots.   His underhook series is safe and efficient.  Look for him to score a lot from this position.  He’s good on top, but fairly tilt reliant. How well his tilt game will translate remains to be seen, but he’ll have to evolve there. I think many prolific tilters in high school experience a bit of a learning curve getting the wrists and turning. Some evolve and continue the course (AJ Schopp), others fail to adapt (Marshall Peppelman).

3. Bryce Brill-Redshirt. I thought this before he fell to Logan Massa, so this isn’t Monday Morning Quarterbacking here. Not that there’s any shame in losing to somebody as good as Massa, but I do believe that match highlighted some of the issues I think Bryce could have at the next level. I see his leg attacks as being a bit limited as of right now.  While he has a great double, I think it lacks a quality d1 set up.  His offense is too often straight on with no set up.  It’ll come, but he won’t be able to blow through college 157’s (imagine that double against Chance, even). Now I’m not limiting him to simply his double, he’s really more than just that. He’s got a great re-attack single, and he’s crafty at finishing when extended. However, he seems a bit too willing to let himself get in poor position on certain leg attacks. Those finishes worked against high schoolers, but I think he gives up some easy points on some of those attacks. If Brill were a dominant top wrestler, I may be more inclined to say he’s ready. I really think it’s important if you’re not especially prolific in one area (Kyle Snyder from neutral) that you have a plan b for victory, for this it would be the mat for Brill. I don’t see him able to get the key turns or ride outs right now against the best guys. A guy like Chance could struggle on his feet and potentially get something rolling on top. I don’t see Brill as that guy. Give him a year, let Northwestern simply tweak and watch what he does next year.

4. Jason Nolf-Ready. I mentioned having a plan b for victory being key and I think Nolf fits that bill. If he can’t take you down, I think he has the ability to get key rides and turns on top. Combine that with an unrelenting motor and I see a guy who may get burned by a wide open style early, but will rein in those attributes by the end of the year and just be a dynamo. I love the diversity in his game. He’s got so many ways to take you down: ridiculous body awareness, he doesn’t stop looking to score and he’s great on top. That’s why I think he’s ready. No he doesn’t have the D1 body/build that blows you away, but I think he has effective strength and athleticism that aren’t necessarily visible. Where he fits in weight wise is still a question. 141 up to 157 all seem like possibilities. I think he’s got the frame to go up. I’ve loved what I’ve seen of this kid, and can’t wait to watch him develop under Cael’s tutelage.

5. Nick Nevills-Redshirt. Again, this doesn’t have anything to do with the guys PSU already has (Lawson, Gingrich). I really think Nick needs a year. He is extremely well rounded in all areas, yet I think he currently isn’t elite in any area apart from his overall athleticism. I see him struggling to get points on his feet when guys don’t beat themselves on errant shots. I also see him struggling to ride the best guys like he was able to do in high school. He’s a great prospect, but I don’t see overwhelming size/strength to mask his shortcomings. Heavyweight has some big guns returning in Gwiaz, McMullan, Telford, Coon and Marsden, but really drops off after that in my opinion. He’s got the potential to break in that next tier, but I think it’s just as likely he would fall in the round of 12 or so. He’s close to a finished product technically. He’ll get better, don’t get me wrong, but he’s been well coached and doesn’t have that “wow factor” that makes me think he’ll make enormous strides. He’ll get steadily better and will eventually develop into a National Championship contender in all likelihood. The year to work on a little more offense and build his body up is just what the doctor ordered for Nevills.

6. Bo Nickal-Ready. He reminds me a bit of Quentin Wright here. Love how he uses his length and love that he’s been getting some quality mat time with the best in our country and in the World. A year ago I was a bit more skeptical, but I think he’s really evolved offensively. He’s a great athlete, good leg attacks and some great upper body stuff. He needs to pack on a little more muscle to go 184 if that’s his plan, but I think he’s got the necessary strength to compete right now. His bottom game is a bit concerning and will be the biggest point of emphasis right away. He’s the closest “ready guy” to potentially being a “redshirt guy.” He’s right on that line but I’m erring on the side of athleticism and offensive diversity.  The odds of him starting aren't good, but if they need him, he'll be ready.

7. Ryan Blees-Redshirt. Toughest call yet. I love this kid. His motor is insane. His attacks
are fairly diverse and he’s good on top. He’s got the qualities I look for in a “ready” kid, but something about him just makes me think he needs a year. I see him and think he’s right there, but want to see him get a little more tightened up in a few facets. Normally I can put my finger on why, but I just am really struggling here. I will say that while a gas tank is a great attribute, it’s tougher and more rare to gas guys at the next level. He is just a bit too wide open right now.  Ultimately, he's a guy who would benefit from a redshirt, and with the depth in his weight range the Cowboys can afford to give him one.   A year with John Smith and company and he’s going to be very scary.

8. Micah Jordan-Ready. I’ve been all in with Micah for awhile now. Nothing is slowing down my hype train here. While it’s likely he redshirts behind Demas, I think he’s ready to go day 1. Maybe he needs a year to be a full sized 157, but that really would be my only apprehension. He’s phenomenal both offensively and defensively on his feet. He has tremendous stance discipline coupled with great handfighting, set ups and single legs. He’s extremely hard to score on and is also tough on top (like many Graham guys). He’s not quite the product big brother Bo was coming out, but he’s pretty close.

9. Johnny Sebastian-Redshirt. A few reasons. One, I’m fairly concerned with his health. People shudder at the thoughts of shoulder injuries. His really concerns me. He needs a year to get it 100% healthy. That’s priority one in my opinion. Shoulder problems have derailed the careers of many studs. Second of all, he needs to refine a few areas. I like his leg attacks, but think his finishes will need work. I see the heavy hipped 174s and 184s (which is like, all of them) giving him some problems as well as the scrambly types as well as he doesn’t always finish clean. I love his re-attacks but am not sure he has the surefire defense or top game to really compete with the best as of yet. His turns often come from transitioning from takedown to nearfall. That’s a great attribute, but I don’t see some of the turns I saw translating yet.

10. Thomas Haines-Redshirt. This is the guy who is best suited for a redshirt year in my opinion. It’s not an indictment of skill or ability, it’s all about upside and size. Haines needs to put on some more weight and tighen up a few things technically. I have always loved his wide open style and his ability to throw caution to the wind. He’s an extremely agile heavy with great speed and athleticism. I think he runs the risk of giving up a lot of cheap points against the positionally-disciplined and bigger heavies. Think about his match with Nevills and apply it to seasoned D1 heavyweights. He’s got a ton going for him. A great room with Tavanello, Bergman and Dlagnev. Remember Tervel is there and as an agile heavyweight himself; I can’t think of anyone better suited to set the example for how to transition his style to the next level. I don’t think anybody in this list will improve and benefit more from a redshirt year than Haines.