Potential Lineup Look: Will ASU Have To Shift?

Potential Lineup Look: Will ASU Have To Shift?

I know that it's freestyle/Greco season, but it's never too early to look at potential lineups for next year. Next year's squad for the Pac-12 champion Arizona State Sun Devils could be pretty lethal.

Jun 21, 2017 by Ryan Holmes
Potential Lineup Look: Will ASU Have To Shift?
I know that it's freestyle/Greco season, but it's never too early to look at potential lineups for next year.

I'd like to start with the Pac-12 champion Arizona State Sun Devils. Everyone knows about the Valencia brothers and what type of threats they bring, but next year's squad could be pretty lethal. That is, if they figure out that little logjam.

In case you forgot, ASU now will have NCAA All-American Ryan Millhof and NCAA champ Jason Tsirtsis ready to rumble next year. While Millhof will look to make his return to 125lb next season, Tsirtsis will be a part of a dilemma that ASU has spanning from 149 to 174lb.

Here's the deal. At 149, the Sun Devils could possibly have Tsirtsis, Josh Maruca, Oliver Pierce, and Christian Pagdilao. Obviously, someone will have to move up; however, they'd run into an issue with Josh Shields, who was at 157 last season.

Ultimately, the big factor here are the Valencias and whether or not they move up. Both could very well fit in at 174 and 184 next year and might have to in order for the Sun Devils to completely utilize their talent.

Here is what ASU's lineup could look like come next season.

125: Ryan Millhof
133: Ali Naser
141: Nikko Villarreal
149: Jason Tsirtsis or Josh Maruca
157: Josh Maruca of Tsirtsis
165: Josh Shields
174: Anthony Valencia
184: Zahid Valencia
197: Austyn Harris
285: Tanner Hall

Arizona State will also have incoming recruits Brandon Courtney (125), Navonte Demison (141), Kordell Norfleet (197), and Cade Belshay (197) joining the team. All of them will most likely redshirt next year, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Demison and/or Norfleet get going right out of the gate.