My favorite thing in virtually all sports is the transition from prospect to show time. I love identifying characteristics which indicate future success and then seeing just how my hunches go.

Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. Whatever the case, it’s interesting to see the arc of the careers of those that make it and those that don’t.

Below you’ll find a list of the most promising Freshmen in Division I that, as of publication time, are expected to start. Weight-by-weight, we’ll identify the new names you should get acquainted with as we get to another season of NCAA wrestling, and tab one as our best bet for a breakout campaign.

But first, a few notes...

Ohio State - The Buckeyes are gearing up for a title run. From Logan Stieber going for his fourth title and skipping most of the Freestyle season in preparation for the college season, to brother Hunter coming off redshirt, to the unleashing of their freshmen. Ohio State has all their ducks in a row.
And the entire thing depends upon Freshmen. They’ll be starting three of them this year. Read all about them below.

Jersey Boys - The kids from the Garden State are usually well represented on the podium at NCAA’s. But they only had two (James Green and Anthony Perotti) place in OK City in March. The good news is, these things are cyclical and there are reinforcements on the way. While the National Collegiate Open isn’t a sure-fire determinant of NCAA hardware, New Jersey had four champs in a row there last year and all of them were freshmen (Scott Delvecchio, Anthony Ashnault, TJ Miller, and Chad Walsh).

National Collegiate Open - Speaking of the NCO, there is a very high correlation of redshirts placing high there and going on to NCAA tourney success. It’s become a useful tool in looking at redshirt seasons when identifying potential.
The NCO started in 2009. Here are the high placers from NCO that would go on to medal at NCAA’s in future years:

2009: Steve Fittery (NCAA Finalist), Brandon Hatchett (NCAA Finalist), Robert Hamlin (NCAA Finalist)
2010: Frank Perrelli, Lou Ruggerilo, Mike Nevinger, Matt Mariacher, David Taylor (NCAA Champ), Jimmy Sheptock (NCAA Finalist), Nick Heflin (NCAA Finalist), Quentin Wright (NCAA Champ), Ed Ruth (NCAA Champ), Mike McClure, Jeremy Johnson
2011: Jesse Delgado (NCAA Champ), AJ Schopp, Mitchell Port, Dylan Alton, Nick Sulzer, Bekzod Abdurakhmanov, Ty Wilps, Matt Wilps, Mike McClure
2012: Jarrod Garnett, Ugi Khishnagyam, Matt Brown (NCAA Finalist), Scott Schiller, Conner Hartmann
2013: Ryan Mango, Mason Beckman, Mitch Minotti, Ian Miller, Jack Dechow, Gabe Dean, Nick Gwiazdowski (NCAA Champ), Spencer Myers

One Final Thought - I do this type of article every year. But Chance, Bo, Kyle Snyder...this is a special year.

On to the report....


125: Nathan Tomasello - Ohio State (19-0)
Ohio State’s starter last year was Nick Roberts who spent much of his high school days as the #1 kid in his weight class and who, as a Buckeye Sophomore, went 29-18 and qualified for nationals. That Roberts has moved on is a testament to just how good his replacement is.
A four-time state champion with hardware from the nation’s toughest high school events, Tomasello came to Ohio State as the #6 overall recruit in 2013.
A perfect 19-0 season followed in his redshirt year where he beat two (Kory Mines and Corey Keener) national qualifiers. Although it was a limited schedule where he didn’t see any ranked opponents, Tomasello was incredibly dominant posting a 79% bonus point rate.
He’s fundamentally sound and a tireless worker. Which is fortunate because the Big Ten at 125 is (what else is new) loaded.
Although three-time All American Nico Megaludis (Penn St.) is expected to redshirt and Cory Clark (Iowa) is moving to 133, the Big Ten returns two-time NCAA Champion Jesse Delgado (Illinois) and three other NCAA qualifiers. Additionally, it will be Tomasello’s old nemesis, Thomas Gilman, who beat Tomasello in the finals of World Team Trials on two different occasions, that takes the spot for Iowa.
All that being said, Tomasello was made for this and stands as our #1 Freshman at 125.

Others To Watch: Ryan Millhof - Oklahoma; Carson Kuhn - Boise St.; Zach Fuentes - Drexel; Travis Passaro - Hofstra; Scotty Parker - Lehigh; Zeke Moisey - West Virginia; Brent Fleetwood/Miguel Silva - Central Michigan


133: Connor Schram - Stanford (9-1)
From powerhouse Canon McMillan in wrestling’s heartland (Western PA), Schram had a legendary career in which he never failed to reach a state final in the big school division, winning titles as a Freshman and Senior that lead him to the #20 overall recruit ranking in the Class of 2013.
Schram replaces Cardinal stud Ryan Mango and should be a very capable starter right out of the gate.
He had an injury-shortened redshirt season where he went 9-1. Though he didn’t face a large number of top guys (Garth Yenter, Kyle Ayersman were his biggest wins of note), but his only loss came to AJ Schopp, who’s now ranked #1 in the country. It was a competitive match that ended in a fall with, what else...Schopp choosing and working from top.
He should be in contention for a PAC-12 title with Cal Poly’s Devon Lotito and Oregon State’s Joey Palmer, who went a collective 1-4 at NCAA’s.

Others To Watch: Dean Heil - Oklahoma St.; Javier Gasca - Michigan State; Sean Fausz - NC State; Kyle Gliva - ND State; Jordan Northrup - N. Illinois; Coy Ozias - Princeton; Anthony Giraldo - Rutgers; Jed Mellen - Utah Valley; Kevin Norstrem - Virginia Tech


141: Anthony Ashnault - Rutgers (15-3)
Just the third wrestler to ever win four state titles in single-class New Jersey, Ashnault was sought by some of the most history-rich programs in the country. It was a big coup for Rutgers to keep the #12 overall recruit in state. After a 15-3 redshirt season, and coming off the heels of the Scarlet Knights’ first All American in the Scott Goodale era, now it’s time for Ashnault to pay dividends.
141 is perhaps the deepest with impact Freshmen. And Ashnault did have a couple head-scratching losses (Patrick Hogan, Will Switzer) last year. But he’s a kid that rises when the lights are on; his style is predicated on scrappiness and motor. So when it’s on the line, expect Ashnault to rise to the occasion - like when he beat the NCAA Champion, Jason Tsirtsis, to win University Nationals in FS.
Outside of Logan Stieber, who is going for his fourth NCAA title, and perhaps Mitchell Port, the returning group (Zain Retherford/PSU, Nick Dardanes/Minn., Stephen Dutton/Mich.) are guys that Ashnault matches up well with. I like him to have a real shot to AA in a weight that is about as tough in the Big Ten as nationally.

Others To Watch: Tyler Smith - Bucknell; Jason Estevez - Buffalo; PJ Klee - Army; Chris Vassar - Gardner-Webb; Mitch Bengston - ND State; Brock Zacherl - Clarion; Solomon Chishko - Virginia Tech; Mike Longo - Appalachian St.


149: Brandon Sorensen - Iowa (21-4)
A four-time state champion who has the record for the most wins in the state of Iowa’s history, Sorensen looks to be the answer in the middle weights for the Hawkeyes. Though it is still unclear if he’ll go 149 or 157, we’re penciling him in here, as the best newcomer at 149.
A highly productive 21-4 redshirt campaign included wins over teammate (and starter) Brody Grothus, Chad Walsh (Rider) who won the NCO, and NCAA quarterfinalist, Zach Neibert (Virginia Tech). Three of his four losses (including one to Derek St. John) came at 157. His only loss to a 149lber was to All American David Habat (Edinboro) in a 3rd place showing at Midlands.
The optimism for Sorensen is even greater when you consider the differential in proven commodities at 149 in the Big Ten give you a net negative. Hunter Stieber (Ohio St.) comes off redshirt, but All Americans Eric Grajales (Mich.) and James English (Penn St.) graduate while Nick Dardanes (Minn.) drops to 141.
It’s all very positive signs to the Hawkeyes, who haven’t had stability at the weight since Brent Metcalf graduated.

Others To Watch: Jake Short - Minnesota; TJ Miller - Virginia; Coleman Hammond - Bakersfield; Christian Pagdilao - Arizona State; Clayton Ream - ND State; Abraham Rodriguez - Oregon St.; BJ Clagon - Rider; Collin Heffernan - Central Michigan


157: Chance Marsteller - Oklahoma State (True Freshmen)
There are several tempting options at 157, but none that have the potential to have more impact than uber recruit Chance Marsteller, who had perhaps the most celebrated high school career since Cary Kolat.
A four-timer in the meat grinder that is Pennsylvania, Marsteller also won titles at Fargo, FILA Cadets, and Super 32 leading him to be named the Class of 2014’s #2 overall recruit. He didn’t lose to a high school wrestler since 7th grade.
And while there is cause for skepticism - back surgery in March and no summer competition - two things indicate that he is on track.
1. - That he’ll be the starter for the Cowboys, who have plenty of other talented options and
2. His safe, sound, and effective style and technique.
This isn’t high school anymore, and surely he’ll have to prove it on the mat, but we’re confident that Marsteller is going to be really solid really early. The question isn’t 'will he be good,’ it’s ‘how good.’ And that’s something you don’t say of True Freshmen middleweights often.
Looking at the national landscape of this weight class also seems to portend to success. 157 might be the thinnest in the country with three of last year’s All Americans moving up to 165 and a fourth All American, Derek St. John (Iowa) having graduated.
It’s a good situation in conference, too, with the highest ranked Big 12 wrestler, Oklahoma’s Justin DeAngelis, checking in at 15th.

Others To Watch: Isaiah Martinez - Illinois; Bryce Brill - Northwestern; Daniel Woiwor or Blayne Briceno - Iowa St.; Chad Walsh - Rider; Ryan Blees - OK State; Oliver Pierce - Arizona State


165: Bo Jordan - Ohio State (23-0)
The Ohio faithful can’t wait for Bo Jordan’s career to get going, and for good reason. He just might be America’s best Freshman this year.
A four-time State Champion and the #1 overall recruit in the Class of 2013, Jordan turned in an earth-scorching redshirt campaign. Although he didn’t face any ranked competition, he torched everyone he wrestled posting bonus in 20 of 23 matches. His closest win was by 6pts.
While Bo’s season-long success encouraged ‘the real deal’ talk, expectations may have been tempered a bit when Jordan took 4th at University nationals, losing by tech to NCAA 4th place finisher Ian Miller (Kent St.) and by fall to Nester Taffur (Boston), both 157lbers.
But don’t fret. Ian Miller is a freak that was having a freaky day, including tossing Tyler Caldwell, who would go on to win University Worlds. Additionally, it was Jordan’s first FS tournament since, well, ever, and he certainly didn’t look comfortable.
We’re not saying Bo will win the Hodge this year, but he’ll be fine, and in squarely in All American contention.
One thing not in Jordan’s favor is the depth of this weight. Three All Americans (National Champ Alex Dieringer (OK State), cousin Isaac Jordan (Wisc.), and Brian Realbuto (Cornell) move up from 157 while three-time Minnesota AA Logan Storley moves down from 74. Taylor Massa (Mich.) also comes back off redshirt making for a very deep 165.

Others To Watch: Zach Zupan - Binghamton; Ty White - Columbia; Nick Kee - Appalachian State; Ethan Ramos - North Carolina; Garrett Hammond/Cody Law/Corey Rasheed - Penn State; Jon Schleifer - Princeton; Cody Weircioch - Pitt


174: Zach Epperly - Virginia Tech (25-2)
A small group, and a good group. Our pick is Epperly, a four-time State Champion for Daryl Weber’s powerful Christiansburg squad.
Epperly turned in one of the best redshirt seasons in the country, punctuated by a National Collegiate Open title. His only losses were to All American Mike Evans (Iowa) and qualifier Hayden Zillmer (NDSU).
More importantly, Epperly beat several quality opponents including national qualifiers Scott Liegel (Wisc.), Cody Caldwell (UNI), and Pete Renda (NCST).
In conference, Epperly immediately becomes a title threat and has a good shot at qualifying for the big show. Reigning ACC Champ Matt Wilps (Pitt) returns. Runner-Up Stephen Doty (UVA) graduates. Renda was 3rd.

Others To Watch: Keaton Subjeck - Stanford; Jake Taylor - Cornell; Jordan Ellingwood - Central Michigan


184: Ricky Robertson - Wisconsin (22-4)
A close call here between Robertson and Sliga, who went 26-5 last year. Robertson beat Sliga en route to a FILA Junior title in Vegas this spring and thus gets the nod.
A two-time state finalist and Fargo Champ, Robertson ended the 2013 high school season ranked as the #42 overall recruit.
Like most freshmen on the redshirt/open tournament circuit, Robertson didn’t hit many ranked guys. Interestingly enough, all four of his losses came to opponents from the state of Iowa: Carl Broghammer (Upper Iowa), Sam Brooks (Iowa), Ethen Lofthouse (Iowa), and Boaz Beard (Iowa St.).
What was eye opening was Robertson’s FILA run where he beat Sliga and NCAA qualifier Tim Dudley (Nebraska) in a bracket that also included Gabe Dean (Cornell), who would go on to win JR World Bronze.

Others To Watch: Nicky Hall - NC State; Mitch Sliga - Northwestern


197: Kyle Snyder - Ohio State (True Freshman)
With no disrespect to the other candidates, this one was easy. Snyder is perhaps the most college-ready prospect I’ve ever seen. He had exactly zero losses in his regular high school career and just one during the Freestyle season (to NCAA Champion J’Den Cox).
He was the consensus #1 overall recruit in the Class of 2014 and spent his senior season at the Olympic Training Center garnering a JR World Gold and a JR World Bronze.
It might sound like heresy to say that a true freshman at 197 is in the title conversation. It might seem like more a stretch considering he has not a single college match under his belt, and hasn’t wrestled a competitive folkstyle match in 18 months.
But he’s that good and has ‘too much’ of everything to not be successful: too much motor, too much technique, too much athleticism.
We’ve all seen ‘the next big thing’ not pan out far too often, so I’ll try to keep the hype machine in check. But even saying that his floor is ‘All American contention’ seems too conservative.

Others To Watch: Chip Ness - North Carolina; Michael Boykin - NC State; Matt McClimens - Edwardsville; Nate Rotert - SD State; Jared Haught - Virginia Tech


285: Garrett Ryan - Columbia and Brooks Black - Illinois
Brooks Black had what is one of the most comprehensive careers for a HWT in season with titles in Fargo, Ironman, Beast of the East, and National Preps. It was just after that that Garrett Ryan started giving him battles.
The two have traded barbs ever since. Their latest series had Ryan winning at FILA JR’s in Vegas, with Black returning the favor a month later at the JR World Team Trials in Madison.
Neither wrestled a match in their ‘redshirt’ seasons but the most productive true redshirt at HWT was Newtown Smerchek who went 17-9 for CMU and who Black beat convincingly in Vegas.
With the current environment of HWT in DI being really good, really athletic, and really young, it’s tough to project high levels of success for anyone out of the gate. As opposed to ‘phenoms,’ Ryan and Black might have to develop into AA contenders.

It will be much easier for Ryan in conference. He should be a title threat immediately. The are only two ranked heavies in the EIWA: #12-Joe Stolfi (Bucknell) and #16-Max Wessel (Lehigh).
Black’s road will be dramatically more daunting with four of the Top 5 and nine of the Top 14 ranked wrestlers HWT’s residing in the Big Ten.

Others To Watch: Billy Miller - Edinboro; Scot Augustine - American; Gaylen Edmo - Boise St.; Gage Hutchison - Eastern Michigan; Jesse Webb - Ohio; Newton Smerchek - Central Michigan