Iowa has found its future heavyweight with a connection to its wrestling past. 

U17 World champion Michael Mocco announced Monday that he has committed to the Hawkeyes, joining the program where his father, Steve, won his first of two NCAA heavyweight titles. 

Michael Mocco is the #15 prospect on the 2026 Big Board and the second big recruiting catch for Iowa in the ‘26 class. The Hawkeyes also secured a commitment in February from #1 prospect Bo Bassett.  

Mocco gives Iowa a future anchor at the back end of its lineup. The three-time Florida state champion is currently ranked seventh nationally at 285 pounds. He won Fargo 16U titles at 220 pounds in both styles in 2023 before capturing a U17 freestyle World title last summer at 110 kilograms. 

Mocco’s commitment comes 24 years after Iowa won a major recruiting battle to secure the services of his father, who was the most-coveted recruit nationally in the 2001 class.