2015-2016 Redshirt Or Ready

2015-2016 Redshirt Or Ready

Oct 11, 2015 by Christian Pyles
2015-2016 Redshirt Or Ready
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Christian Pyles

More and more the trend of seeing True Freshman success is becoming less and less of an outlier. A year ago we were dazzled by Kyle Snyder, Zeke Moisey and Kevin Jack. Each year more coaches are tempted to send out these uber-talented and often excellently prepared first year Freshman.

The plan for this article is two-fold, to both assess the readiness of a given wrestler and whether or not they are ready to go right away and make a prediction of what the coach will ultimately decide. A year ago when I wrote this, we just did the top 10 recruits. I’m going to skip around a bit more to a few names I really like and think will get the nod right away.

For starters, I’m not going to delve into the Valencia brothers. In my mind it has been established that they are both 100% ready to go and it’s already been announced that they’ll redshirt as well (Anthony will be taking an Olympic Redshirt).

Vincenzo JosephVincenzo Joseph, Penn State - Ready. Between Cenzo’s dazzling prep career and a fantastic showing at JR World Team Trials, it’s established that Vincenzo is day one ready. We know Joseph is proficient on the mat and I believe his hand fighting and ability to attack legs is on par with any recruit coming into a d1 program this year.

Prediction - Redshirt. With Zain at 149 and Nolf at 157 there’s no room right now and no need to send Cenzo out year one. Unless Nolf outgrows 157 and goes up to 165 (which will eventually happen in my opinion), there’s no reason (or spot) to use Vincenzo. He’ll be ready to rock at 157 next year.

Logan Massa.  Photo by Tony RotundoLogan Massa, Michigan - Ready. Not a lot of holes to poke in Logan’s game either. While he’s had incredible Freestyle success, there are plenty of Folkstyle takeaways as well. I do think he needs a little work on his set ups. He has a tendency to fire a lot from space without a strong set up. This can work on a lot of guys, sometimes good guys, but ultimately won’t be sustainable. Guys at this level are too good with re-attacks and front headlock, I think he’d give up some easy points there. He has great feel, able to react quickly to his opponents attacks. When get deep on his legs you need to finish quick, the longer the defense the more time that favors Massa.

Prediction - Redshirt. Big brother Taylor may be the very reason why. If Taylor is back in top condition healthwise for his Senior year he’s a strong choice. That being said, given this could be THE year for Michigan, and if Taylor’s not ready to go, I wouldn’t fault Michigan for sending Logan out there.

Myles MartinMyles Martin, Ohio State - Ready. I might not have said that a month ago, but when you get new information it’s important to respond to it. All reports indicate Myles is a completely different wrestler from a few months ago. Myles go to Ohio State early last Spring/Summer and has been there making strides. The physicality may be the only question. Not that Myles isn’t a strong kid but with most 174s cutting from (likely) over 190+ pounds the idea of an undersized True Freshman does give you pause. Watchin his UWW Jr National final typified why I was a bit unsure of Myles readiness. He wants to operate from space more often than not. When Zahid got his hands on him I really felt he was able to move him around too much. That was against a fellow high schooler, so imagine that against a full grown 23 year old hammer. Martin may have some of the best re-attacks/re-directs coming out of high school. Those will only get sharper as he improves. The area he needs a little more work is getting to his own leg attacks. He’s got a very clean single that he can finish at a high percentage. I like his game a lot my film evaluation says he’s a guy who needs a year. But a few months in a high level room can change that, and that sounds like what’s going on in Ohio State.

Prediction - Wrestles. We all read on 11warriors.com that the plan was to bump Bo to 74 and see about Martin. My prediction is Myles will do well early, Bo will cut down to 165 and Myles will go 174.

Fox BaldwinFox Baldwin, UVA - Ready. Fox is a wildman, and we all know this. The thing I like about Fox is he’s got the requisite strength to go with some of D1’s toughest. He will have some head-scratching mistakes, but Fox is just a go-for-broke kind of wrestler. He possesses both upper body and leg attacks that will serve him well. In addition to neutral gifts he can ride like crazy. This will only get enhanced at UVA, a team that prides itself on tough riding.

Prediction - Wrestles. The transfer of Blaise Butler will force Coach Garlands hand I believe. He and Garrett Peppelman will likely man the 165/174 spot. 

Joe Smith Joe Smith, Oklahoma State - Ready. I say this while being completely unsure of where he is on the mat from a folkstyle perspective. I’m not totally sure that part of his game is elite, but I do believe his bottom work is at least requisite. On his feet Jo-Jo is a thing of beauty. His attacks are varied and he can attack both sides well. He also has flexibility in his game in that he can work from space or ties and get to his offense well. Jo-Jo’s fluidity makes him a joy to watch. I think he’ll struggle with scrambles early with guys, but this will get up to par in time.

Prediction - Redshirt. Oklahoma State goes about 5 deep in the middle weights it seems. With Collica, Chance and Dieringer holding down 49-65 this year, there’s no reason to wrestle Joe right away.

Matthew KolodzikMatthew Kolodzik, Princeton - Ready. Like many Blair wrestlers Kolodzik comes out of high school a very complete product. He put this on full display all year from his controlled win over Ke-Shawn Hayes to his Fargo title over Keegan Moore. Kolodzik is very physical, able to move his opponents around as well as control from top. He could use a little more offense in the form of a leg attack, but that is probably nit-picking a tad.

Predicition - Redshirt (deferred year). Look for Kolodzik to defer a year like we saw Joey McKenna do last year.



Michael KemererMichael Kemerer
, Iowa - Ready. I know, I’m ready heavy, right? Last years article there were only a handful of guys I thought were ready to go. I just have a ton of confidence in this group. I always liked Kemerer as a prospect. He’s got d1 grit and toughness from coming from wrestling a brutal schedule. He has more confidence in his attacks than I’ve seen in the past from him. I love his finishes as well. He can get suckered into bad high crotches at times and get caught just holding on for a stalemate, but is generally tough there. Would like to see him improve at attacking his opponents left leg but that will come. He’s not the most prolific turner, having more success transferring from TD to turn than hitting a breakdown and getting a turn.

Prediction - Redshirt. Though he may project as a 157 (a weight of need at Iowa), I think he needs a year to get the size on. He may actually be better suited at 149 and we could see him wrestle there next year if and when Sorensen moves up. Coach Brands has never wrestled a True Freshman apart from Nathan Burak who took a year to train at the OTC after high school. I don’t think it will start with Kemerer.

Kaid BrockKaid Brock - Oklahoma State - Redshirt. Maybe my favorite guy to watch in the country last year. My mind was often blown by the high level stuff Kaid could hit. I talked about Joe Smith as a guy with a vast and diverse arsenal and that is probably more true for Kaid. He could hit pass-by’s, attacks to both sides and some high level counters. I just think he needs a little more time to harden his handfighting and strength. Kaid also can let matches slip away from him at times. I worry that 7 minutes we could see him struggle late in some matches. Not a tank issue, just sometimes his awareness seems to drop. I think the main reason I want to see Kaid redshirt is because I think a year getting confident in that room and cleaning up a few weaknesses could bring Kaid out next year as one of the most complete and dangerous 133 pounders in the country.

Prediction - Redshirt. With Gary Wayne Harding already making strides and the fact that it’s likely that Kaid couldn’t beat him out yet anyways there’s no reason to send Kaid out there right away.

Bonus Predictions:

There's a few guys that I think many are especially interested in so I cherrypicked a couple guys of interest and gave my predictions on whether I think they'll wrestle or not this year. 

Let's start with a pair of Panthers.

Max Thomsen, UNI - Redshirt. Barring an injury he’s going to get a redshirt year. I think this is for the best as well. He’s a talent but a year will do him good.

Taylor Lujan, UNI - Redshirt. Again, I think unless we see an injury he’ll redshirt. I love Lujans game and think he’s ready to go right away. He’s ready for the physicality.

David McFadden, Virginia Tech - Wrestling. VT is pushing all the chips in the middle this year. Not only is wrestling McFadden early a reflection of his incredible ability, it’s practical. McFadden is going to grow out of 165 sooner rather than later. The best thing they can do is give him a year or 2 at 65, let him redshirt Epperly’s senior year then move him up to 174 his Junior and Senior season. That’s my prediction for McFadden.

Zack Chakonis, Northwestern - Wrestling. I don’t know this to be true, but it’s a guess. They redshirted Conan Jennings last year, but I really don’t view him as a viable option. Chakonis was a HS stud that will provide Northwestern a viable, contending option.

Fredy Stroker, Minnesota - Redshirt. I’d love to see him go right away, but if the plan is to bulk him up to 157, then I’m glad they’re going the redshirt route with Fredy. Not sure he’s got the necessary size to brawl with 57’s.

Larry Early III, Minnesota - Redshirt. See Stroker. I think he’s ready but it sounds like they want to bulk him to 165. If that’s the case then he, like Stroker needs time to put size on.

Lance Benick, Arizona State - Redshirt. ASU is going to wait a year before unleashing complete mayhem (with one exception). I like the idea of Benick getting a year to train with the Valencias, Hall, Pendleton and co.

Tanner Hall, Arizona State - Wrestling. You would think a guy off the mat for 2 years would maybe need some time to re-adjust. The word on Hall is that he’s chomping at the bit to compete again and ASU is willing to oblige. He’s put on some serious size. He will make waves right away.

Keegan Moore, West Virginia - Wrestling. We’ll see what they decide but don’t be surprised if you see Keegan get the Moisey treatment. They’ll send him to a few opens and see how he does. If he does well (and I believe that he will), then I think they wrestle him at 141.

Jaydin Clayton, Missouri - Wrestling. The 4 time state champ is going to get the nod right away at 133 for Missouri in my opinion. His unique style may have to make some adjustments initially but I think he’ll be quality by the seasons end.

Sam Krivus, UVA - Redshirt. I think we’ll see Miller go at 149 and Zach Watson go 141 for the Cavs which will enable Krivus a year to train and acclimate to d1 wrestling. I think his head/hands is on already more than good enough for D1 wrestling. I do believe he needs another attack.

Ke-Shawn Hayes, Ohio State - Redshirt. Before news about Micah Jordan wrestling at 141 there was a lot of thoughts that we could see Hayes go right away. I think this will be for the best. He is excellent on the mat, but I worry about him getting controlled and overpowered a bit right away. A year in the room will be just what the Dr. ordered for Ke-Shawn.

Nick Piccinnini, Oklahoma State - Redshirt. I view him as a 125 pounder. With Klimara a Senior he’s a perfect candidate. I think he’d do just fine if he went right away, for what it’s worth.