Recruiting Rewind: The Classes Of 2012

Recruiting Rewind: The Classes Of 2012

We take a look back at the recruiting class rankings of 2012 and re-rank the top classes four years later.

Apr 13, 2017 by Kyle Bratke
Recruiting Rewind: The Classes Of 2012
Every year, we rank the top incoming recruiting classes in the country to illustrate which college wrestling teams are preparing themselves best for the future. However, we don't often revisit the performances of those highly touted recruits once their NCAA eligibility is exhausted.

With almost everyone's career completed, we're taking look back at the Class of 2012 rankings to see which recruiting classes lived up to their blue-chip status  or disappointed over the past four years. Let's dig into the numbers!


2012's Top 5

No. 1: Iowa Hawkeyes
Post grad, Nathan Burak, CO (197)
No. 3 Nate Skonieczny, OH (141)
No. 4 Sam Brooks, IL (184/197)
No. 5 Thomas Gilman, NE (133)
No. 5 Alex Meyer, IA (174)
No. 7 Cory Clark, IA (125)

Others: Topher Carton, IA (133); Connor Ryan, IA (141); Isaac Lundgren, IA (141)

What Willie said: "With five top seven kids and another that would be had he not been in a grayshirt year, TnT put together a fantastic class. Unlike a lot of other schools, Iowa doesn't just chase rankings but also nabs talent that fits its demeanor. Every one of these kids can be described as blue-collar brawlers. For the second time in three years, the Hawkeyes get our nod for the nation's top class."

Five years later: Tom Brands hit a home run with this class. This class nabbed the Hawkeyes 13 All-American honors, four appearances in the NCAA finals, and a national champ in Cory Clark.

No. 2: Lehigh Mountain Hawks
No. 1 Brandon Griffin, OR (184/197)
No. 2 Doug Vollaro, FL (HWT)
No. 3 Mitch Minotti, PA (149/157)
No. 5 Brian Brill, PA (157/165)
No. 6 Randy Cruz, PA (133/141)
No.11 Elliot Riddick (174/184)
No. 16 Laike Gardner, PA (141)

Others: David Jeffrey, WV (125); Cody Kievman, 133 (PA); Arty Walsh, PA (133); Ben Haas, NY (149); Will Switzer, MD (149); Sam Scheib, PA (157); Zach Diekel, NY (197); Tim Glauninger, CA (HWT).

What Willie said: "The Mountain Hawks are bringing in the most volume I've ever seen: 15 fresh faces, in all. But it's not just quantity. There are real studs here. From Griffin to Riddick, all six have been to the finals of national majors."

Five years later: While at first glance this might seem like a disappointing class for Lehigh, the Mountain Hawks got two All-Americans (Mitch Minotti and Randy Cruz) and plenty of starters from this class. Laike Gardner was a three-time NCAA qualifier and made the round of 12 this year. Doug Vollaro started multiple years and made the round of 12, and Elliot Riddick qualified for the big dance multiple times and made the round of 12 as well. If those three won their round of 12 matches, this class would be viewed much differently.

No. 3: Cornell Big Red
No. 1 Mark Grey, NJ (133)
No. 3 Alex Cisneros, CA (133/141)
No. 4 Brian Realbuto, NY (149/157)
No. 6 Steve Congenie, IL (184)
No. 11 Dylan Palacio, NY (157)
No. 16 Gabe Dean, MI (197)
No. 19 Angelo Silvestro, IL (141)

Others: Taylor Simaz, MI (165)

What Willie said: "Let's look at 133 and 141 first. Normally, I'd balk at recruiting over kids you just signed last year. Cornell brought in six lightweights in 2011. (Garrett, Richardson, Dixon, Rendina, Arajau, Pena). But Grey and Cisneros have to be considered upgrades over any potential starters on their roster. They signed the two best kids in-state (Palacio and Realbuto) and got a steal in Congenie, who is vastly overlooked by national fans. Mark it down now… Congenie will step right in when Bosak departs and do just fine."

Five years later: While Mark Grey and Alex Cisneros didn't live up to their hype coming out of high school, Brian Realbuto, Dylan Palacio, and Gabe Dean were home runs. The trio all started four years and account for nine All-American finishes, four NCAA finals appearances, and two national titles from Gabe Dean.

No. 4: Oklahoma State Cowboys
Transfer, Tyler Caldwell, KS/Oklahoma (165/174)
No. 3 Jordan Rogers, WA (184)
No. 4 Kyle Crutchmer, OK (174)
No. 13 Chase Ferman, OK (133/141)

Others: Brian Crutchmer, OK (133/141); Case Garrison, TX (141), Nolan Boyd, OK (184/197)

What Willie said: "Stillwater got a boost when NCAA finalist, Caldwell, announced he's transferring there. 'Immediate impact' from him is an understatement. Rogers is ready for DI right now, one of the few kids you can say that about in 2012. Kyle Crutchmer was built for college wrestling with a gritty, gutty style."

Five years later: If you don't count transfer Tyler Caldwell, you might look at this class as a disappointment. While Jordan Rogers never materialized into the talent he was in high school, the Cowboys found a hidden gem in Nolan Boyd, who would finish his college career as a two-time All-American. Oklahoma State also got plenty of production from Boyd's classmate Kyle Crutchmer, who saw plenty of starting time and finished his career as a two-time All-American as well.

No. 5: Michigan Wolverines
Transfer, Conor Youtsey/Army (125)
No. 1 Taylor Massa, MI (165/174)
No. 3 Rossi Bruno, FL (125/133)
No. 10 Jordan Thomas, MI (174/184)

Others: Cory Lester, MO (125), Angelo LaTora, MI (141/149)

What Willie said: "Michigan is going to get at least three four-year starters here. All three I'd tab as NCAA-qualifier caliber right out of the gates."

Five years later: Not counting transfer Conor Youtsey, this class managed just one All-American finish and it came from Rossi Bruno. The injury bug hit this class hard. Taylor Massa started a few seasons for the Wolverines before injuries derailed his career. Jordan Thomas also had his career ended by injury early too.

The Rest Of The Top 10

No. 6: Oklahoma Sooners
No. 4 Clark Glass, FL (165)
No. 4 Brad Johnson, IL (HWT)
No. 8 Ross Larson, IA (197)
No. 15 Matt Reed, KS (174).

No. 7: Illinois Fighting Illini
No. 2 Zane Richards, IL (133)
No. 2 Nikko Reyes, CA (184)
No. 6 Zach Brunson, OR (165/174)

No. 8: Wisconsin Badgers
Post grad, Jesse Thielke, WI (133/141)
No. 3 Isaac Jordan, OH (165)
No. 5 Ryan Taylor, OH (125)
No. 8 Ryland Lubeck, WI (149/157)
No. 13 Phil Laux, IA (125)
No. 14 Justin Koethe, IA (165)
No. 19 Kegan Gennrich, WI (174).

No. 9: Ohio State Buckeyes
No. 2 Nick Roberts, PA (125)
No. 7 Mark Martin, OH (174)
No. 9 Nick Tavanello, OH (HWT)

No. 10: Iowa State Cyclones
Post grads, Destin McCauley, IA (149/157)
No. 2 John Meeks, IA (133/141)
No. 2 Gabe Moreno, IA (149)
No. 18 Dakota Bauer, IA (141/149)
No. 19 Kyle Larson, IA (141)
No. 20 Jesse Doyle, NC (184/197).


Who Coached 'Em Up?

No. 22: Old Dominion Monarchs
Three-Year Cycle: No. 7, UR, No. 21
No. 8 Micah Barnes, MN (165)
No. 12 Jack Dechow, IL (184)
No. 14 Lenny Richardson, NJ (149)
No. 14 Kevin Beazley, MI (184)

Others: Joe Jessen, VA (184/197)

What Willie said: "Steve Martin, one of the country's most tireless recruiters is at it again. All five of incoming Monarch have tons of upside and potential and fill needs."

Four years later: Willie said this class had tons of upside and potential, and Steve Martin did an outstanding job of tapping into that potential and taking them to the next level. Lenny Richardson, Jack Dechow, and Kevin Beazley all earned All-Americans and started multiple years for the Monarchs. Beazley still has one year of eligibility left to improve upon this year's eighth-place finish. To put this class' performance into perspective, it had more All-American finishes than 13 schools ranked ahead of them.

No. 24: Virginia Tech Hokies
No. 8 Huston Evans, OH (184)
No. 10 Ty Walz, OH (197/HWT)
No. 16 Dawson Peck, PA (HWT)
No. 18 Sal Mastriani, NJ (157)

Others: Jake Balisteri, NJ (125)

What Willie said: "Thanks to Coach Dresser's recruiting prowess in recent years, the Hokies room is relatively loaded. They picked up a handful of talent at key weights."

Four years later: Not only was Ty Walz an important individual cog for Virginia Tech, but the three-time All-American was also crucial in helping lead the Hokies to their first team trophy in school history. Sal Mastriani provided years of service for VT and finally got over the hump in St. Louis. Even though this Hokies class missed on a few guys, it still had more All-American finishes than 14 schools ranked ahead of it.


UR: Missouri Tigers
No. 4 Willie Miklus, IA (197)
No. 12 Tony DeAngelo, NC (141/149)
Matt Manley, OK (125)
Cody Hummer, MO (125)
Zach Synon, IL (133/141)
Austin Roper, MO (133/141)

Five years later: This Missouri class may have gone under the radar, but coach Brian Smith got the most out of it. Willie Miklus is already a two-time All-American with a year of eligibility remaining. Matt Manley started valuable years for the Tigers qualifying for the NCAA Tournament twice, and Zach Snynon was a familiar face in the MIssouri lineup for years including two trips to the NCAA tournament.


Re-Ranking 2012


1. Iowa -- The Hawkeyes' top-ranked class of 2012 lived up to all of the hype. Thomas Gilman, Cory Clark, Alex Meyer, Sammy Brooks, and Nathan Burak provided Iowa 13 All-American honors, four appearances in the NCAA finals, and a national champ in Cory Clark.

2. Cornell -- This class is summed up in three wrestlers: Dylan Palacio, Brian Realbuto, and Gabe Dean. The trio was the heart and soul of the Big Red lineup over the past four seasons and accounted for nine All-American finishes, four NCAA finals appearances, and two national titles from Gabe Dean.

3. Lehigh -- While this class doesn't have as many All-American finishes as some of the teams directly behind it, none of those teams got as much out of this class as Lehigh did. The Mountain Hawks produced All-Americans in Mitch Minotti and Randy Cruz but also got multiple starting seasons from Laike Gardner, Elliot Riddick, and Doug Vollaro. In fact, all three of those wrestlers made the round of 12. If all three of those guys punch through, Lehigh might have had an argument for the second-best class.

4. Wisconsin 
-- The Badgers jump four spots from their original ranking thanks to two great careers from St. Paris Graham alumni. Following in his father's footsteps at Wisconsin, Isaac Jordan was a grand slam for the Badgers. Not only was Jordan a four-year starter for Wisconsin, but he was also a four-time All-American and NCAA finalist as a junior. The Badgers also got plenty of serviceable years from fellow St. Paris Graham alum Ryan Taylor. While Taylor only achieved All-American once, he was a three-year starter and qualified for the NCAA tournament in each of those years.

5. Old Dominion -- Old Dominion takes the biggest jump from their original 2012 ranking, jumping 17 spots. Willie said this class had a lot of potential, and Steve Martin got it out of them. Lenny Richardson was three-time NCAA qualifier and All-American. Jack Dechow qualified for the big dance all four years and was an All-American, and Kevin Beazley is a two-time NCAA qualifier and has already earned All-American honors with another season still to go.

6. Minnesota -- The Gophers jump eight spots from their original 2012 ranking of No. 14 thanks to two relatively unknown wrestlers coming out of high school. While Michael Kroells finished his senior year of high school as the fifth-ranked heavyweight in the nation, he wasn't a household name and was facing the daunting task of replacing Tony Nelson. Kroells started for the Gophers for three seasons and earned All-American honors in all three of those seasons. The other unknown star for the Gophers? Brett Pfarr. He was never ranked in high school, and Willie projected him as a 165/174-pounder. Pfarr finished his Gopher career as a three-time NCAA qualifier, two-time All-American, and a national finalist as a senior.

7. Nebraska -- Nebraska jumps four spots from its original 2012 ranking of No. 11 after getting three four-year starters and three four-time NCAA qualifiers out of Tim Lambert, TJ Dudley, and Collin Jensen. While Dudley was the only All-American of the bunch, it is extremely hard to find a four-year starter at 125 and heavyweight, and with this class Nebraska did just that. Lambert fell in the round of 12 this year, and Jensen went 2-2 three times at the NCAA Tournament.

8. Oklahoma State -- The Cowboys slide four spots from their original 2012 ranking but still manage to stay in the top 10. As I mentioned above, OSU might have had a few misses in this class, but it also found a diamond in the rough in Nolan Boyd. He was never ranked in high school but finished his Cowboys career as a four-time NCAA qualifier and two-time All-American. While some in this class didn't live up to the hype, Kyle Crutchmer absolutely did. Crutchmer gave the Pokes three years of starting service and was twice an All-American.

9. Illinois -- Illinois actually drops two spots from its initial 2012 ranking. The Fighting Illini still finish with a top 10 class thanks to four years of starting service from Zane Richards and Zac Brunson. Not only did the duo start all four years, but they also went to the big dance all four years in the lineup and earned a combined three All-American finishes.

10. Virginia Tech -- The Hokies round out our new top 10, jumping 14 spots from their original 2012 rankings. While Houston Evans didn't pan out, Virginia Tech hit it big with Ty Walz and Sal Mastriani. Walz was a four-year starter for the Hokies and earned All-American honors three times, while Mastriani started three seasons for VT and got over the hump this year to earn All-American honors.

Check out the full 2010 Recruiting Class Rankings and take a walk down memory lane with other recruiting rankings from past years.

Other Years' Recruiting Rankings
2011: No. 1 Nebraska Huskers
2012: No. 1 Iowa Hawkeyes
2013: No. 1 Michigan Wolverines
2014: No. 1 Penn State Nittany Lions
2015: No. 1 Arizona State Sun Devils
2016: No. 1 NC State Wolfpack