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FloInsider: Michigan Preseason Lowdown
Steve Widzinski, Michigan State Insider
125/126 - #6-Zac Hall - Says he will make 125 at some point this year. Not sure if he will be at 125 or 130 for individuals though.
138/140 - Brant Schafer - State Champion has struggled with consistency, but can be dominant when clicking on all cylinders. Best example was Fargo in 2011 when he took 6th in the Junior Freestyle division.
160 - #18-Jordan Cooks - Dad says he will be 160 this year so he should stay there for now, but I think he will have a really tough time getting down and probably ends up at 171.
Steve Widzinski, Michigan State Insider
Getting set for the beginning of the season, Steve Widzinski of Michigan Grappler, gives us a prospectus on what to watch out for. He includes reported weight shifts, commentary on where Michigan individuals fall in terms of national rankings, and darkhorses to watch out for.
Michigan is one of the fastest rising states in terms of both depth and high end talent. They appeared in the Top 10 in all relevant categories when we analyzed and compiled our State Power Rankings which included Top 100 SR’s (4), Class Ranked Individuals (20), and All Time Division I All Americans (118).
As you read Steve’s insight, keep in mind that Michigan elected to retain the ‘old’ weight classes when most of the country adopted the new NFHS system.
103/106 - #8 Lincoln Olson - Almost certainly will be at 112 all year, not because he can't make 103, but Davison has a stud freshman, Max Johnson, who will be their 103.
#18 106 - Mason Smith - Will be interesting to see if he makes 103 this year, but I think where you have him right now is spot on.
112/113 - Camden Bertucci - Somebody who could potentially break through at some point.
Logan Griffin - Not well known at all nationally but AA'd at Cadet Folk Nationals and had FS and GR wins over both Olson and Bertucci at MUSAW states this year. Doesn't deserve to be ahead of them yet IMO, but someone to be aware of.
Devin Schroder - Says he will be at 112. We will see if he can make it all year. Probably not a Top 20 guy yet, but one of the best in 2016 class.
119/120 - Mitch Rogaliner - Doesn't deserve to be ranked nationally based on who is in front of him right now, but someone to keep in mind if you bump people around and slots open up.
Shayne Wireman - Former State Champion and has been on the cusp of breaking out nationally for the past two off seasons. Recently signed with Eastern Michigan, and could be a serious sleeper if he decides to hit up Flo Nationals this spring.
125/126 - #6-Zac Hall - Says he will make 125 at some point this year. Not sure if he will be at 125 or 130 for individuals though.
#11-Cole Weaver - Coach says he will be at 130/135 all year, probably time to bump him to 132.
#18 - Ken Bade - Will be at 130/135 all year, may go 126 for Flo Nat’s in the spring but probably should bump up to 132 at this point.
Zack Cooper - 2X State champion has yet to compete at any of the premier individual national tournaments, but stays very active year round and is possibly my favorite prospect in Michigan's senior class from an upside standpoint.
130/132 - #5-Jacob Schmitt - Love seeing Schmitty this high. Kid is a bruiser. Will be at 130/135 this year depending what his teammates decide to do.
Justin Oliver - 130/135 this year, probably whichever one Bade is not at for individuals.
Anthony Gonzlaes - 2X State champ is an interesting study; he has crazy athleticism and even had a win over Anthony Ashnault at the 2011 Cadet Duals. Not a traditional folkstyler and can be inconsistent, but always seems to shine when it counts the most.
135/138 - #10-Logan Massa - Hasn't decided if he will be 135 or 140 this year. Either way, he’s about where he should be in the nationally rankings.
138/140 - Brant Schafer - State Champion has struggled with consistency, but can be dominant when clicking on all cylinders. Best example was Fargo in 2011 when he took 6th in the Junior Freestyle division.
Zehlin Storr - Quietly had a great offseason including a 2nd place finish at Folkstyle Nationals. Stock is rising and is one of Michigan's best in the class of 2014.
145 - Josh Pennell - Underwhelming offseason, but could be rankable at some point here if things shift around and he gets back to form.
Kyle Simaz - Has yet to breakout out nationally or win a state title, but has crazy upside and is someone to keep an eye on.
152 -#2Ben Whitford - Spoke with dad a couple days ago, said that Ben is walking around at 150-152lbs and will be at 145 for individuals at the end of the year.
160 - #18-Jordan Cooks - Dad says he will be 160 this year so he should stay there for now, but I think he will have a really tough time getting down and probably ends up at 171.
Logan Marcicki - Struggles with consistency and failed to make the state tournament last season, but he was a 2011 state champion and former finalist in Fargo. Tons of potential and is one of the state's most dangerous wrestlers.
170/171 - #18-Angus Arthur - Spot on with his ranking. Kid's a stud and will only get better now that he's at St. Johns.
Drew Garcia - Beats Arthur H2H in my opinion, but Arthur should be higher based on what they have done this offseason. So good call there. Garcia may even wind up at 189 to help the team, although he will be way undersized.
189/195 - #12-Payne Hayden - May wrestle some 215 during the season, but perfect where he is. Will be 189 for individuals.
215/220 - #12-Josh Colegrove - Heard he got pretty big for football, but I have to imagine he gets down to 215 to stay away from Coon.
Brian Moran - A lot of people overrate him nationally, personally I think you are right on having him as a fringe guy.
Joe Ostman - Unknown by most. Total stud from the U.P. Had a transitive win over Moran last year. Doubt he wrestles Moran or Colegrove this season due to his schedule, but if he does I like him against either. Not anywhere near enough credentials to ranked at this point though.
285 - #1-Adam Coon - ‘Nuff said.
#14-Gage Hutchison - Like him where you have him. Doubt he wrestles Coon or Coe during high school season due to schedule. Unfortunately, he probably won't do any postseason stuff either.
Bob Coe - Great preseason. Not a top 20 resume just yet, but DCC is wrestling some pretty tough out of state schools this year so may have a chance to break in.
Ryan Prescott - Came within a point of winning a state title as a freshman heavyweight last year and was runner-up at the GFC in 2011. Had a pretty quiet offseason, but has the size and ability to become one of the country's elite heavyweights.