NC State Lineup Look
NC State Lineup Look
Last year, NC State had a banner year under Coach Popolizio, and their dual team was among the best in the country. Although the Wolfpack didn't have the NC
Last year, NC State had a banner year under Coach Popolizio, and their dual team was among the best in the country. Although the Wolfpack didn't have the NCAA tournament that they and many others expected, it's likely that the best days are yet to come for Coach Popolizio and NC State.
In 2016, NC State boasts the No. 1 recruiting class in the country, led by Nick Reenan, Hayden Hidlay, Daniel and Thomas Bullard, Tariq Wilson and Michael Rogers. Some will wrestle, and others will redshirt. Here's how NC State's season might shake out this year.
125 - Sean Fausz/Tariq Wilson
133 - Jamal Morris
141 - Kevin Jack
149 - Sam Speno
157 - Max Rohskopf
165 - Nick Reenan/Daniel or Thomas Bullard
174 - Nick Reenan/Nick Hall
184 - Michael Macchiavello
197 - Malik McDonald
285 - Michael Boykin/Mike Kosoy
There are still more questions than answers, but that's because there are so many variables for NC State's coaching staff to sort through -- the level of talent, depth and redshirt considerations could have this lineup in flux well into the second semester.
The lightweights could be in flux throughout the year. Getting Sean Fausz down to 125 again will be no small task; if he can't make it, look for true freshman Tariq Wilson to get the nod.
Jamal Morris had real flashes of potential last year in portions of matches. If he puts a whole match together, he has the motor and point-scoring ability to be more than just a productive starter. And, at times, Kevin Jack looked like he could be the best guy in the country. He didn't have a good showing at NCAAs, but now that it's been a year later, you can expect him to bounce back.
Sam Speno has been solid for NC State in the past. He redshirted a year ago to prepare for his shot at 149. Now, he'll be the guy, and a NCAA qualifier at minimum.
Max Rohskopf had a great regular season, and earned a high seed at NCAAs, but struggled at the Big Show. He will be down at 157 this year. His strength and top game will be personified down at this weight.
Rohskopf has some of the most bizarre counters in Division I wrestling:
For the incoming freshman class, I'm expecting Hayden Hidlay, Michael Rogers, and one of the Bullard twins (at minimum) to redshirt.
NCAA third-placer Pete Renda and blue-chip recruit Hayden Hidlay are assuredly redshirting. Nick Reenan will likely wrestle right away, as will one of the Bullard twins. I think 174 is a more realistic weight than 165 for Reenan, so look for him to land there. Reenan will be an instant-impact guy for the Wolfpack who has a shot at placing as a true freshman at either weight.
Macchiavello had a solid redshirt season for NC State that was highlighted by a win over Penn State's Matt McCutcheon. He'll do a good job at 184 as Renda redshirts.
Malik McDonald's name became reknowned when he prevented J'den Cox from earning bonus points in their dual meet. His stock rose at UWW Junior Trials when he knocked off Arizona State's Lance Benick. Look for a big year from Malik.
McDonald takes out Benick:
At 285, Michael Boykin will battle Mike Kosoy for the starting job. Boykin was at 197 last year, but the cut was difficult. Perhaps we'll get a more active Boykin up a weight.
Despite sitting some serious firepower, NC State will field a strong team with a shot at qualifying all 10 weights to NCAAs. Although they're a strong crew, it will be difficult for them to out-do what last year's team did at NCAAs -- Gwiazdowski, Renda and Gantt are huge losses, and their points probably won't be replicated.
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In 2016, NC State boasts the No. 1 recruiting class in the country, led by Nick Reenan, Hayden Hidlay, Daniel and Thomas Bullard, Tariq Wilson and Michael Rogers. Some will wrestle, and others will redshirt. Here's how NC State's season might shake out this year.
125 - Sean Fausz/Tariq Wilson
133 - Jamal Morris
141 - Kevin Jack
149 - Sam Speno
157 - Max Rohskopf
165 - Nick Reenan/Daniel or Thomas Bullard
174 - Nick Reenan/Nick Hall
184 - Michael Macchiavello
197 - Malik McDonald
285 - Michael Boykin/Mike Kosoy
There are still more questions than answers, but that's because there are so many variables for NC State's coaching staff to sort through -- the level of talent, depth and redshirt considerations could have this lineup in flux well into the second semester.
The lightweights could be in flux throughout the year. Getting Sean Fausz down to 125 again will be no small task; if he can't make it, look for true freshman Tariq Wilson to get the nod.
Jamal Morris had real flashes of potential last year in portions of matches. If he puts a whole match together, he has the motor and point-scoring ability to be more than just a productive starter. And, at times, Kevin Jack looked like he could be the best guy in the country. He didn't have a good showing at NCAAs, but now that it's been a year later, you can expect him to bounce back.
Sam Speno has been solid for NC State in the past. He redshirted a year ago to prepare for his shot at 149. Now, he'll be the guy, and a NCAA qualifier at minimum.
Max Rohskopf had a great regular season, and earned a high seed at NCAAs, but struggled at the Big Show. He will be down at 157 this year. His strength and top game will be personified down at this weight.
Rohskopf has some of the most bizarre counters in Division I wrestling:
For the incoming freshman class, I'm expecting Hayden Hidlay, Michael Rogers, and one of the Bullard twins (at minimum) to redshirt.
NCAA third-placer Pete Renda and blue-chip recruit Hayden Hidlay are assuredly redshirting. Nick Reenan will likely wrestle right away, as will one of the Bullard twins. I think 174 is a more realistic weight than 165 for Reenan, so look for him to land there. Reenan will be an instant-impact guy for the Wolfpack who has a shot at placing as a true freshman at either weight.
Macchiavello had a solid redshirt season for NC State that was highlighted by a win over Penn State's Matt McCutcheon. He'll do a good job at 184 as Renda redshirts.
Malik McDonald's name became reknowned when he prevented J'den Cox from earning bonus points in their dual meet. His stock rose at UWW Junior Trials when he knocked off Arizona State's Lance Benick. Look for a big year from Malik.
McDonald takes out Benick:
At 285, Michael Boykin will battle Mike Kosoy for the starting job. Boykin was at 197 last year, but the cut was difficult. Perhaps we'll get a more active Boykin up a weight.
Despite sitting some serious firepower, NC State will field a strong team with a shot at qualifying all 10 weights to NCAAs. Although they're a strong crew, it will be difficult for them to out-do what last year's team did at NCAAs -- Gwiazdowski, Renda and Gantt are huge losses, and their points probably won't be replicated.
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