This isn’t the crazy, unpredictable 125-pound weight from two years ago when a new number one popped up seemingly every week, but there should be plenty of top-10 movement in a division filled with proven talent and high-level prospects.
Luke Lilledahl is a favorite after a 25-1 sophomore season, where he secured his first NCAA title on a powerful Penn State team after an early-season loss to his teammate, Nate Desmond.
Marc-Anthony McGowan (Princeton), Vincent Robinson (Nebraska), and Troy Spratley (Oklahoma State) have reached the 125-pound national finals over the last two seasons and are viable title threats.
Freshmen and proven stars will have their say at the 2027 NCAA Championships. Intrigue is high for Anthony Knox following his transfer from Cornell to Rutgers. The Saint John Vianney High School star was 5-1 competing unattached last season, dropping a 7-4 match to Ohio State’s Nic Bouzakis.
Speaking of Bouzakis, it’s unclear what weight he wrestles this season. 125? 133? 141? He cut hard last season, and it likely wore on him as the season progressed. He split time with teammate Vincent Kilkeary, who will be a factor as the starter (if he gets the nod). Kilkeary was 20-5, notching a 4-1 win over Minnesota All-American Jore Volk late in the season.
Christian Castillo, a 2022 U17 World silver medalist, has plenty of offense if he wants to unleash it. He transferred from Iowa State to Arizona State, where he posted a 7-2 record in Ames.
Don’t overlook Stanford’s Nico Provo. He finished third as the 7-seed, dropping a 4-2 match against McGowan, then reeling off six straight consolation wins, including a 10-2 victory over Robinson in the consolation finals. And Volk is a two-time All-American, finishing seventh for Wyoming and Minnesota, and an age-level World champion.
Eddie Ventresca of Virginia is a two-time All-American who reached the Round of 12 last year. The Hokies are legitimate trophy contenders, and his role as the first man up (unless they draw weights) is important as the team enters an even bigger national spotlight.
A slew of others make this a weight class to circle.
Watch highlights from the Robinson-Spratley final at the 2025 NCAA Championships
Returning 2026 All-Americans
Luke Lilledahl (Penn State), JR — 1st
Marc-Anthony McGowan (Princeton), JR — 2nd
Nico Provo (Stanford), SR — 3rd
Vincent Robinson (Nebraska), JR — 4th
Troy Spratley (Oklahoma State), SR — 5th
Jore Volk (Minnesota), SR — 7th
Past All-Americans
Eddie Ventresca (Virginia Tech), SR — (7th, 5th, R12, 2023, 2025-26)
Key Departures
Jacob Moran (Indiana) — 1x All-American (6th)
Sheldon Seymour (Lehigh) — 1x All-American (6th)
Tyler Klinsky (Rider) — 1x All-American (8th)
Stevo Poulin (Northern Colorado/Iowa State) — 1x All-American (8th)
Entering From Injury/Transfer
Vincent Robinson (Nebraska), JR — from NC State
Anthony Knox (Rutgers), FR — from Cornell
Nicolar Rivera (Maryland), SR — from Wisconsin
Brendan McCrone (North Carolina), SR — from Ohio State
Christian Castillo (Arizona State), FR — from Iowa State
Eddie Ventresca finished fifth at the 2025 NCAA Championships and is part of a powerful Virginia Tech team
The Favorite: Luke Lilledahl (Penn State)
Don’t let the close scores fool you. Lilledahl is the class of the field and the favorite to win his second NCAA title after finishing third in 2025.
Who cares if he lost to Nate Desmond, his Penn State teammate, at the Black Knight Invite early last season? The Weldon Spring, Missouri, native is nearly impossible to take down and can score when he has to.
That will come in handy against a deep field that will attempt to slow the Nittany Lion star down. Although freestyle results don’t directly translate to college, Lilledahl’s 2026 Senior U.S. Open win over 2024 Olympic silver medalist Spencer Lee before falling to him in straight matches at Final X is an indication of his ceiling.
The wins will come for Lilledahl. The next step is putting a gap on the field. Penn State can break the NCAA tournament scoring record again this season, and bonus points will be the reason why. Lilledahl had a major and four decisions during his title run. More bonus points from the Nittany Lions’ lightweight star will go a long way toward topping the elusive 190-point mark at the NCAA Championships (the record is 181.5).
The Contenders
Vincent Robinson (Nebraska)
Marc-Anthony McGowan (Princeton)
Troy Spratley (Oklahoma State)
If contender means vying for an NCAA title, then Robinson, McGowan, and Spratley have earned their way into the conversation.
McGowan reached the finals of the 2026 national tournament, losing to Lilledahl in a 2-1 match featuring little engagement, with escapes being the only notable action. The Tiger star has the offensive tools to light up the scoreboard if he wants to. He never gets blown out in losses but rarely scores, as evidenced by his 3-0, 1-0, 2-1 TB, 2-0, 2-1 season setbacks.
That shouldn't deter anyone from believing the Tampa, Florida, native can win a national title, but enough strong wrestlers in the field will have a say. Robinson and Spratley lead the list.
Robinson transferred from NC State to Nebraska after a memorable 2025 NCAA title run as a freshman (remember, he never won an Illinois state title) before finishing fourth in 2026. He bolstered a Cornhusker line-up that has won back-to-back NCAA tournament trophies and can help make it three straight.
Spratley fell to Robinson in the 2025 NCAA finals, and split at the 2026 NCAA tournament. Robinson holds a 4-1 series lead over his Cowboy rival, who has finished fifth and second after a Round of 12 finish in 2024.
All-American Threats
Jore Volk (Minnesota)
Nico Provo (Stanford)
Eddie Ventresca (Virginia Tech)
You’re considered an All-American threat when, well, you have been an All-American, particularly during an early evaluation period. With lineups still being finalized and many high-profile freshmen yet to compete in a season-long, varsity schedule, it’s difficult to predict end-of-year results.
Volk, Provo, and Ventresca seem like solid bets to reach the podium (top eight), but that leaves little wiggle room for someone else, and with a weight this deep, someone will be the odd man out.
If Lilledahl is the favorite, with three returning national finalists and three additional returning All-Americans, that leaves almost no room for error. The Round of 12 at the NCAA Championships can be cruel, and one or more of the above wrestlers will likely fall victim to its callousness.
Volk won a 2022 U20 World title at 57 kg
Ohio State’s Question Mark
As mentioned above, Ohio State likely has a dilemma, unless Tom Ryan and staff have everything sorted. Kilkeary and Bouzakis are All-American/title contenders, but let’s hold off on predictions until we have a clearer picture of what Ryan will do.
Sleepers & Dark Horses
Nicolar Rivera (Maryland)
Anthony Knox (Rutgers)
Leo Deluca (Iowa)
Isaiah Cortez (Cornell)
Christian Castillo (Arizona State)
Rivera reached the Round of 12 in 2025 for Wisconsin but went winless this year. We’ll see how a school change affects his national standing. Podium spots are especially difficult here, and an All-American finish isn’t off the table for Rivera.
Knox and Castillo aren’t ranked right now, but all eyes are on both as they navigate this season. Each made his mark in high school, and now we get to see what they can do in college.
Excitement is high for Deluca. He could be the ignition switch for the Hawkeyes. His high-octane pace and never-say-die attitude make him the perfect Iowa-style wrestler.
Cortez is fresh off a U20 World silver medal. Yes, this weight is deep.
Pre-season 125-pound Predictions
1. Luke Lilledahl (Penn State)
2. Vincent Robinson (Nebraska)
3. Eddie Ventresca (Virginia Tech)
4. Troy Spratley (Oklahoma State)
5. Marc-Anthony McGowan (Princeton)
6. Nico Provo (Stanford)
7. Jore Volk (Minnesota)
8. Isaiah Cortez (Cornell)