New Jersey consistently ranks near the top when it comes to producing great high school wrestling talent. The Garden State actually tied with Illinois last season for most NCAA Division I All-Americans with eight. 

New Jersey has an abundance of nationally ranked competitors to start the season, and it will likely funnel in more as the season progresses. The state’s one-classification system leads to a high concentration of talent in the same weight class — all competing for the same prize. 

Here’s a look at the top wrestlers to keep an eye on this season in New Jersey. 

Sean Kenny (Christian Brothers) — Sophomore, 113 pounds

Coming off a third-place finish at the New Jersey state tournament as a freshman, the younger of the Kenny brothers had a great summer. Sean Kenny finished eighth the the U17 World Team Trials, won Fargo in the 16U division, and then followed it up with his second straight runner-up finish at Super 32. Kenny, along with his older brother, Paul, committed to Iowa and will look to climb to the top of the New Jersey state podium this season. 

Watch Kenny’s impressive performance in the Fargo Finals

Cameron Sontz (Delbarton) — Junior, 120 pounds

Sontz has been a lightweight staple for powerhouse Delbarton through his first two seasons. The two-time state champion dominated at Powerade last season and was also a runner-up in Fargo this summer. He is currently #5 in the country at 120 pounds. Sontz could definitely be tested this season with guys like returning state runner-up and #7 nationally Jonathan McGinty and #18 Mikey Bautista possibly in his weight class this year. 

Watch Sontz win in the 2024 Powerade finals

Jonathon McGinty (St. Joseph Regional) — Senior, 120 pounds

McGinty might be the best guy on this list still looking for his first state championship. The three-time New Jersey state medalist has been runner-up each of the last two seasons, along with second and third-place finishes at Super 32. The Oklahoma commit will look to finish his career with a state championship and will likely have to prevent Sontz from winning his third straight state title to do so. 

Paul Kenny (Christian Brothers) — Junior, 126 pounds

Paul Kenny has been in the high school wrestling spotlight since winning the 2023 U17 World Championships at 48 kg. Since then, Kenny has competed in Who’s Number One twice, placed third in Fargo this past summer in the Junior freestyle division, and finished third and first, respectively, in his first two state tournaments. The recent Iowa commit is currently #2 in the country and is the heavy favorite to win his second New Jersey state title this season. 

Watch Kenny win the U17 World Championships in 2023

Robert Duffy (Christian Brothers) — Senior, 144 pounds

Duffy is an under-the-radar kind of guy who has had some up-and-down performances throughout his career. He is a two-time Powerade medalist, placed sixth in Fargo this summer, and finished fifth last season for his first state medal. Duffy has had numerous great wins in his career and is currently ranked #9 in the country at 144 pounds. The Iowa commit will be looking to end his career with gold this year in Atlantic City. 

Sonny Amato (Rumson Fair Haven) — Junior, 150 pounds

The fourth and final Iowa Hawkeye commit on this list burst onto the scene in New Jersey as a freshman when he picked up a big win over Maddox Shaw at the Beast of the East on his way to a fourth-place finish. Amato capped his freshman season off with a state championship and followed it up with a third-place finish last season. Amato is a tricky wrestler and can beat just about anyone in the country, and he never disappoints when he takes the mat. 

Jayden James (Delbarton) — Senior, 165 pounds

Jayden James is likely the best wrestler in the state of New Jersey at any weight this season. The #3-ranked prospect on the Class of 2026 Big Board has certainly made big strides throughout his career, not only in talent but also in size. James was third in the state as a freshman at 113 pounds, then followed that up with a runner-up finish at 138 pounds as a sophomore and won his first state crown last season at 150 pounds. He was also a Fargo and Powerade champion in 2024 and won the U17 World Championships at 70 kg this summer. The Penn State commit is making another jump up in weight to 165 pounds this season and should be at the top of your list of wrestlers to watch this season. 

Watch James dominate in the 2024 Powerade finals

Tanner Hodgins (Howell) — Junior, 190 pounds

Tanner Hodgins made a massive jump this summer, elevating him to #2 in the country at 190 pounds. Following sixth and third-place finishes at the New Jersey state tournament in his freshman and sophomore years, Hodgins made the U17 World Team this spring, then came away with a bronze medal in Athens and helped contribute to Team USA’s U17 World team title. Hodgins recently made his college commitment to Oklahoma State and will look to win his first state title this season. 

Watch Hodgins win U17 World Bronze at the 2025 U17 World Championships

Cristian Alvarez (St. Joseph Regional) — Senior, 285 pounds

Alvarez is coming off an impressive Junior season in which he came away with a runner-up finish at Beast of the East, third-place finish at the Escape the Rock, and a state silver medal, which helped vault him up to #6 in the country at 285 pounds. St. Joseph Regional goes to many of the top national tournaments, so Alvarez will get his opportunity to climb those rankings and will be looking to win his first state championship this season. It won’t be an easy task with returning state third-place finisher and #15 Mateo Vinciguerra also in his weight class.