Before Mason Parris placed third in Fargo last week, it had been a while since he wrestled freestyle. Five years to be exact.

While most of our best big guys, such as Gable Steveson, Daniel Kerkvliet, and Cohlton Schultz, have excelled in more than just folkstyle, Parris, who to his own credit was also a bruiser of a linebacker on the football field, was a folkstyle-only competitor for a long time. The last time he wrestled freestyle was in 2013 when he won the ISWA Freestyle State tournament in the Schoolboy division at 144lb. 

After watching him against some pretty large competition, here are a few takeaways from his first time in Fargo.

Size Difference

He was able to overcome the difference in size—and trust me, it was a pretty big difference between him the competition—by being more technical and using brute strength in some cases. However, he ran into a buzz-saw in the form of Anthony Cassioppi, who is not only bigger but also has the technique to go along with it. From what I saw, I could see him turning into a Kyle Snyder-type of heavyweight at the next level, which would mean he is rarely bigger than the competition but has the strength and technique to be dominant.

Freestyle Acumen

Like I said in the beginning, he has been folkstyle focused for a long time and that certainly showed in instances where he gave up most of his points. Cassioppi put the match away with some big points from a front headlock. It was a position that you could tell Parris wasn’t used to being in. It wasn’t just against Cassioppi that this happened though. Parris gave up points against Austin Emerson when they met on the backside in similar situations. 

Watch Parris vs Cassioppi in the Fargo semis:

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Skill, Quickness & Technique

There was an obvious size difference between Parris and every guy he wrestled, but he was able to rely on his skills and technique combined with his quickness to score. He’s never had an issue getting to someone legs. Instead, it was the other half of the battle—finishing. Cassioppi was able to defend his single and kick away to keep from getting taken down. It wasn’t until Parris got active when he was in on a head inside single to score. The same adjustment was made in most of his matches. He shot to his opponent's right leg, limp-armed out, and covered for the takedown, not allowing the guy to react. I can see this becoming an even bigger part of his offensive attack on the next level. 

Watch as Parris makes the adjustments on his feet against Emerson:

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Overall

Mason Parris is the extremely talented wrestler we’ve seen at FloNatonals as well as the Dream Team Classic. This was his first big test against competition—mainly Anthony Cassioppi—that many expect to make some huge waves in the NCAA in the next few years. 

Like I said, I see him as a Kyle Snyder-type who can get to the legs and use his ability to be active to finish. He’s got pretty good feet and is obviously strong. He will get to work with the man-beast that is Adam Coon who will take his size and strength up a few levels. Big things are ahead for Parris and the Wolverines.