Oklahoma State is riding high after a runner-up finish at the 2026 NCAA Championships, the best national placing since the Cowboys placed second in 2016. The David Taylor-led team is anchored by three freshmen national champions who return for their sophomore campaigns. 

Jax Forrest, Sergio Vega, and Landon Robideau won titles during their rookie seasons, leading to high expectations in Stillwater. Taylor returns eight All-Americans and 11 national qualifiers, but excitement is high for a crop of promising incoming freshmen. 

Below is a breakdown of what Oklahoma State’s line-up might look like. 

2026-27 Oklahoma State Overview

Head Coach: David Taylor

Assistants: Jimmy Kennedy, Kevin Ward, Tyler Caldwell

2026 NCAA Tournament Finish: 2nd

2026 NCAA Tournament Record: 39-15

2026 NCAA tournament points: 131

2026 Big 12 Tournament finish: 1st

2026 National Duals Invitational finish: 3rd

2026 dual record: 15-1 (7-0)

Returning national qualifiers: 11 (Troy Spratley, Jax Forrest, Sergio Vega, Casey Swiderski, Landon Robideau, Zack Ryder, Cody Merrill, Bennett Berge, Dee Lockett, Alex Facundo, Tagen Jamison)

Returning All-Americans: 8 (Troy Spratley, Jax Forrest, Sergio Vega, Casey Swiderski, Landon Robideau, Zack Ryder, Cody Merrill, Bennett Berge)

Returning NCAA Champions: 3 (Jax Forrest, Sergio Vega, Landon Robideau)

High finish under Taylor: 2nd (2026)

Most national placers in a season under Taylor: 8 (2026)

2026 NCAA Tournament Line-up

125: Troy Spratley, 5th (4-2)
133: Jax Forrest, 1st (5-0)
141: Sergio Vega, 1st (5-0)
149: Casey Swiderski, 8th (3-3)
157: Landon Robideau, 1st (5-0)
165: Dee Lockett, NQ (2-2)
174: Alex Facundo, NQ (2-2)
184: Zack Ryder, 8th (4-3)
197: Cody Merrill, 2nd (4-1)
285: Konner Doucet, 4th (5-2)

125 Pounds: Troy Spratley, SR

Spratley has been a consistent force for the Cowboys since transferring from Minnesota after the 2023 season. He reached the Round of 12 in 2024, the national finals in 2025, and was fifth this season. The Eufaula, Oklahoma, native was 20-5 during his junior season, with four losses by a point. He fell to eventual champion Luke Lilledahl (Penn State), 8-3, in the NCAA tournament semifinals. 

133 Pounds: Jax Forrest, SO

Forrest had a season like no other. On December 20, 2025, he was competing for Bishop McCort High School at the Powerade Tournament, and on January 11, 2026, he was securing a fall for the Cowboys in the storied Bedlam dual. 

The Johnstown, Pennsylvania, native went 19-0 with 16 bonus point wins as a freshman, scoring 26 team points at the 2026 NCAA Championships. His electric and innovative style will keep college wrestling fans on the edge of their seats, and is a key piece of Oklahoma State’s line-up. 

141 Pounds: Tagen Jamison, SR or Jayden Raney, FR or Jordyn Raney, FR

Jamison might get the nod after a consistent college career. He qualified for the 2024 national tournament and reached the Round of 12 in 2025. The Cowboy senior will likely get challenged by the Raney twins: Jayden (#4 P4P) and Jordyn (#6 P4P). One or both could redshirt depending on early-season results. This is an important weight for Oklahoma State to lock down if they are serious about an NCAA title run. 

149 Pounds: Sergio Vega, SO

Vega will likely move up from 141 after an undefeated (24-0) true freshman season. His national tournament run yielded 22 team points and a finals win over two-time NCAA champ Jesse Mendez of Ohio State. It will be a crowded field with returning NCAA champion Aden Valencia (Stanford) and Penn State’s three-time All-American Shayne Van Ness (3rd, 3rd, 2nd). 

Watch highlights from Sergio Vega's NCAA finals victory

157 Pounds: Landon Robideau, SO

Robideau was 21-2 during his true freshman year, but won five straight decisions at nationals to give Oklahoma State three individual champions. He fell to Nebraska’s Antrell Taylor, a returning national champion, and Arizona State’s Kaleb Larkin during the season, but avenged both losses at the NCAA Championships. 

Watch highlights from Landon Robideau's NCAA finals victory

165 Pounds: Dee Lockett, SO or Casey Swiderski, SR or Alex Facundo, SR or Kody Routledge, SO

This will be a storyline to follow since Taylor has a bevy of quality options. Lockett started the season 13-0 as a true freshman, but went 5-4 to end the season, including a 2-2 record at the NCAA Championships. His ceiling is high, but he will get pushed early for the starting nod.

Swiderski finished eighth nationally at 149, but will need to find a spot with national champions at 149 and 157. Facundo could drop down following an 18-8 junior season at 174 pounds, where he went 2-2 at nationals. Routledge was 6-2 as a freshman and 2-1 in duals. He dropped a 10-9 match to Arizona State’s Nicco Ruiz on November 11, 2025, and Ruiz finished fourth at nationals. 

174 Pounds: Zack Ryder, SO or Alex Facundo, SR

Facundo could stay at 174 and challenge Ryder, who is likely dropping from 184 after finishing eighth at nationals. Ryder was 15-11 but battled injuries late in the season. 

184 Pounds: Bennett Berge

Berge is transferring from South Dakota State for his senior season. The Mantorville, Minnesota, native finished fourth at 184 during the 2024 NCAA Championships before qualifying the next two years. He finished the 2026 season 17-7 at 197 with a 1-2 record at NCAAs, but is expected to drop down. 

197 Pounds: Cody Merrill

Merrill reached the 2026 NCAA finals as a freshman, dropping a 6-3 match to Penn State’s Josh Barr. He was 21-5 on the season, using a blend of stingy defense and a punishing top game to lock down an important part of Oklahoma State’s line-up. 

Watch highlights from Cody Merrill's 2026 NCAA semifinal match

285 Pounds: Dreshaun Ross

Ross seems like the obvious choice if Oklahoma State wants to construct its best line-up for the 2026-27 season. The Fort Dodge, Iowa, native is a unique blend of speed, power, athleticism, technique, and skill. He is ranked #5 in FloWrestling’s national pound-for-pound rankings, with the ability to be a factor for the Cowboys the second he takes the mat.