What a difference a year can make. A year ago, 165 was the weight I was the least interested in. It had an ironclad favorite in Alex Dieringer and it lacked depth in a major way.  This year, Dieringer is gone, Isaiah Martinez is up, and there's a handful of newcomers who will make this weight among my favorites of the year.

Isaiah Martinez guts out an incredible win over Jason Nolf:

Title Contenders:

Isaiah Martinez, Illinois
Isaac Jordan, Wisconsin
Daniel Lewis, Missouri

I could have talked myself into more than a few more guys here. I think it's disrespectful to have a big list with a guy as good as IMAR in this field. With just one loss in two years, the two-time NCAA champion has earned that much respect. A point a few people have brought up to me is that IMAR could struggle more being a power-based wrestler moving up in weight. I don't view it that way at all. I view IMAR as a guy who will get to pack eight more pounds of muscle (power) onto his frame and he could be just as, if not more, dynamic than ever. Isaac Jordan, as a returning finalist with no holes in his game, is a no-brainer addition. The same can be said for Daniel Lewis, who is as talented as just about anyone at this weight. Lewis had only one bad lapse last year but otherwise only lost to Bo Jordan and Alex Dieringer.

CP's Predictions:

1. Isaiah Martinez, Illinois
2. Daniel Lewis, Missouri
3. Isaac Jordan, Wisconsin
4. Logan Massa, Michigan
5. Vincenzo Joseph, Penn State
6. Anthony Valencia, Arizona State
7. Alex Marinelli, Iowa
8. Chandler Rogers, Oklahoma State

Round of 12: Chad Walsh, Rider; Mitch Minotti, Lehigh; Austin Matthews, Edinboro; Cooper Moore, UNI

The standard IMAR set for himself coming into last year was astounding. The guy lost one match, and a main theme of much of the year was "what's wrong with IMAR?" Seeing him look not himself at Big Tens, yet find a way against Nolf in those finals, left me at a point where I don't know how I'd pick against him again. It's not just about the underhooks, the incredible arsenal of attacks, and the ridiculous body awareness. He's got unbelievable heart and guts. When you put it all in one 165-pound package, I think it's a recipe for another national title.

I've been on the Daniel Lewis train for well over a year now. I'm not hopping off either. I think he'll make another slight jump from year one to year two at Missouri. He's maybe the best top wrestler at this weight in terms of riding and turning. When he scoops your near ankle, see ya in two minutes -- you probably aren't going anywhere. If you go anywhere, it's probably to your back in a cradle. On his feet, he's got some serious power, freaky hips, and a strong double leg. He'll need to add to his variety of attacks to jump levels, and I think that's what we'll see. He's a tough guy to takedown, elite on top, and strong on his feet.  I think he jumps a spot over Isaac Jordan, though that is a coin flip match in my opinion. I went with the younger guy who is more likely to make leaps.

Jordan has been toward the top of the rankings for going on four years now. Last year, he was the best guy in the weight not named Alex Dieringer, and that was borne out when he made the finals, beating his cousin, Bo. He is actually very similar to Lewis: lanky and stingy on his feet, a strong single and very strong rider. Jordan's mean streak, toughness, and ability to win tight matches is what has me nervous about predicting Lewis over him. It's a slight risk, I realize.  

Now is where this weight gets really tricky. Mega-talent after mega-talent and you wonder just how high they can climb. I can see Logan Massa, Vincenzo Joseph, Anthony Valencia, Alex Marinelli, and Chandler Rogers all poaching a match against a top-three guy. What I'm not sold is on them stringing 3-4 straight against this field in March. Massa has been fantastic on both the freestyle scene as well as during his redshirt year. Choosing him over Joseph was not easy.  Both are outstanding, but Massa's ability to so consistently get to legs gave him the nod in my mind. He may not have the most amazing mat game, but I don't think he'll need it to be a real problem at 165.

Logan Massa dominates Anthony Valencia:

It's possible that all things considered, Joseph is a better talent and prospect than Massa. When you consider the success Penn State has had in this weight range, it's hard to not bump Joseph a couple extra spots just because he's that good at that weight for that team. I still haven't seen him notch a relevant folkstyle win against this field. Since I have him at No. 5, it's obviously not a huge deal to me, but it is what keeps him out of the No. 4 spot. Joseph has incredible hips and one of the cleanest single legs you'll find. He also can threaten upper body. The Pennsylvania product notched wins over Valencia and Joe Smith this spring in freestyle. If Joseph is locked in, he'll have a big year.

Valencia is well over a year removed from his last folkstyle match. That doesn't give me too much pause, given his skill set. He can be hot and cold, I realize. But when he's on, he's lethal. Valencia is a bit predictable, but really he's got three good attacks that are better than a lot of people's No. 1. His power double is shockingly devastating, his misdirect single is great, and he's good for about one slide-by a match. He's good with short offense and throws, and on top he can ride and turn. Sometimes Valencia's emotions can get the best of him in a match, and that's what gives me pause and trepidation when I put him on the podium. However, the fears I may have about him on that front are outweighed by his incredible talent and skill.

No, I'm not breaking a story. These are predictions, right?  I'm predicting that Alex Marinelli wrestles this year attached for Iowa and that he's going to do quite well. I'd be stunned to see him in black and gold until Midlands is over, but this is the year for Iowa. You can't leave a bullet in the chamber this year. Marinelli and Iowa are a great fit. He uses physical hand fighting to open up his leg attacks and is adequately athletic considering. I'm not predicting a Myles Martin conclusion to Marinelli's season, but I think their years could be similar --  a strong regular season where he takes his lumps but gains momentum toward March where he'll be at his best and can make some noise.

Someone has to be eighth in this group. I went with Chandler Rogers with a low degree of certainty. I think he's fantastically talented. He throws all of the available kitchen sinks at you. He's got solid attacks, but where he really dazzles is upper body. He's got a variety of throws and trips at his disposal. He's a solid scrambler and can turn guys from top. Rogers was up at 174 last year, but I think he's a natural 165. Perhaps he'll be even more dynamic at his more natural weight.  We'll have to wait and see on that one. I can't believe how fun this weight is. Even though I separate Lewis and Jordan from the No. 4-8 bunch, I think that entire No. 2-8 group (really No. 9 with a very tough Chad Walsh getting just squeezed out) is super close. More important than that, it's the most entertaining group of guys. I think this will be the fans' favorite weight of the year -- I feel strongly it will be mine as well.

Chandler Rogers takes out Ethan Ramos:

Apart from Walsh, who is outstanding, I think the other three in the round of 12 may be a rung behind. Of course, counting out a healthy Mitch Minotti in March is idiotic. I'm just not sure if he can get through a full year, so I hedged a bit with him. Cooper Moore and Austin Matthews are two guys I've always had high opinions of. I think their talent gets them wrestling for a spot on the podium.

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