The 2018 U.S. Open gets underway next week in Las Vegas, and we are watching intently to see which NCAA studs pop up on the registration list.

Two-time Junior world champion Mark Hall of Penn State is one of the top names from the college ranks who may enter the April 25-28 event. Hall won both of his titles at 74kg the last two years, and now he’s expected to move up to 79kg after saying last year that it was his final time making that weight.

WATCH 2018 U.S. OPEN LIVE!

Hall just completed another season as an NCAA finalist; however, this year he came out on the losing end to Arizona State's Zahid Valencia in the 174lb finals in Cleveland. 

Watch Hall win his second straight Junior world title:

Valencia is another question mark in terms of competing at this year’s Open. As the reigning NCAA champion he automatically qualifies for the World Team Trials, so he does not have to make an appearance in Las Vegas in order to contend for a spot on this year’s Senior world team. 

The same can be said for Hall's Nittany Lions teammates who won NCAA titles. Like Valencia, Jason Nolf, Zain Retherford, Vincenzo Joseph, and Bo Nickal all automatically qualify for the trials. Obviously, all of them are contenders for high finishes if they make the trip and compete in Las Vegas. If they do so, getting the mat time and possibly a feel for the competition could be beneficial. 

You can also add Iowa's Spencer Lee, the NCAA champion at 125lb, to that list of auto qualifiers who don’t need to make the trip to Vegas. However, Lee has not competed in freestyle since winning his third world title in 2016. 

Sticking with our Big Ten talent, Myles Martin of Ohio State has yet to register as well. It’s possible Martin will be taking the same route as fellow Buckeye Kollin Moore and Rutgers’ Richie Lewis and eyeing a spot on the U23 world team this year.

Watch Bo Nickal and Pat Downey at last year's U.S. Open: