Rutgers finished 20th last year at the NCAA tournament but has a reloaded lineup that will challenge to move up the ranks this year. Check out a full breakdown of their lineup for the upcoming NCAA season.

Projected Rutgers 2022-23 Lineup

125: Dylan Shawver, SO / Dean Peterson, FR

133: Joe Heilmann, JR

141: Sammy Alvarez, JR

149: Anthony White, FR

157: Andrew Clark, SO / Robert Kanniard, SO 

165: Connor O’Neill, SO

174: Jackson Turley, JR

184: John Poznanski, SO /  Brian Soldano, FR

197: Billy Janzer, JR

285: Boone McDermott, JR

125: Dylan Shawver, SO / Dean Peterson, FR

Dylan Shawver put together a solid season last year for the Scalet Knights going 23-11 and finishing in the round of 16 at the NCAA tournament. Shawver’s performance last season earned him the #17 spot in our pre-season rankings with his most notable win coming over 2-time All-American Pat McKee. Beyond that win, Shawver had many close losses to All-Americans and has the potential to make the podium next March. 

Shawver will be challenged for the starting spot by redshirt freshman Dean Peterson. On top of being a 2-time state champion in high school, Peterson was a blue-chip recruit as the #17 overall recruit in our class of 2021 big board rankings. During his redshirt year, Peterson was only 2-1 on the year with wins over Lukas Richie and Julian Chlebove and a 4-0 loss to Dylan Chappell. The roster battle between Peterson and Shawver will be interesting to watch unfold this year and highlights the depth of the Scarlet Knights.

Watch Dean Peterson's win over Jordan Titus at Who's Number 1 in 2020:

133: Joe Heilmann, JR

Like Dylan Shawver, Joe Heilmann went 2-2 at the NCAA tournament falling short of All-American honors in the round of 16. After spending the last 4 years at North Carolina, Heilmann will look to man the starting spot this season at 133 for Rutgers. Last year, Heilmann secured notable wins over Kai Orine, Brian Courtney, Josh Koderhandt, Kyle Burwick, and Micky Phillippi. Helimann is currently ranked #14 in our pre-season rankings but has the ability to reach the podium in March. 

141: Sammy Alvarez, JR

After 3 years at 133, Sammy Alvarez will start at 141 pounds this year for Rutgers. While Alvarez comes in at #19 in our pre-season rankings, he might have the most potential of anyone on the Scarlet Knights to rise in the rankings. During the 2019-20 season, Alvarez put together an outstanding true freshman season going 26-10 with wins over Ridge Lovett, Micky Phillippi, and Kai Orine. Beyond his wins, Alvarez also lost a close, overtime match to 2-time national champion Roman Bravo-Young. Look for Alvarez to move into the top 10 of the rankings and challenge the best in the country at 141. 

Sammy Alvarez's win over Ridge Lovett from the 2020 Big Ten Tournament:

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149: Anthony White, FR

Anthony White had a standout redshirt freshman season going 21-4 and winning two open tournaments. The Scarlet Knights will look for solid production out of White in the starting role this year after the graduation of long-time starter and 3-time national qualifier Mike Van Brill. White is currently ranked as an honorable mention in our pre-season rankings but looks to have the potential to move into the top 20, especially with the potential opponents he’ll face in Big 10 competition. 

157: Andrew Clark, SO / Robert Kanniard, SO

Rutgers will likely have another roster battle on their hands at 157 between Clark and Kanniard. Kanniard was the starter last year but failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament after compiling an 11-9 record and going 0-2 at the Big 10 tournament. Clark started up at 165 but is making the descent to 157 this year. Up at 165, Clark put together a 14-19 record and failed to qualify for NCAAs after going 1-2 at Big 10s.  

165: Connor O’Neill, SO

Like Andrew Clark, Connor O’Neill is dropping a weight class this season. After going 1-2 at the NCAA tournament at 174, O’Neill could be a factor for Rutgers and adds depth nationwide to an already loaded 165. Prior to Rutgers, O’Neill was a top recruit as a New Jersey State champ and was ranked #56 on our class of 2020 Big Board. 

174: Jackson Turley, JR

Back in the starting lineup and back to full health, look for Jackson Turley to quickly move up the rankings at 174. Turley reached the podium in 2021 with an 8th-place finish at the NCAA tournament. However, last season Turley struggled with injury and had his season cut short in January after wrestling only 6 matches on the year. If Turley is back to his form during the 2020-21 season, look for him to get back to challenging for All-American honors.

184: John Poznanski, SO / Brian Soldano, FR

Like at 125 and 157, the starting spot at 184 for Rutgers will be interesting to watch unfold this year. Poznanski was a huge breakout performer for the Scarlet Knights in 2021 placing 4th at the NCAA tournament as a true freshman. However, he took a step back last season, failing to place at the NCAA tournament after going 2-2. 

Highlights of Poznanski's win over Dakota Geer at the 2021 NCAA Tournament:

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Poznanski does have a redshirt available and if he takes it, look for true freshman Brian Soldano to man the starting spot at 184. Soldano finished ranked #8 in the class of 2022 big board and was a three-time New Jersey state champion for High Point high school. Like most blue chip recruits, expectations are high for Soldano and he has the potential to challenge some of the more established wrestlers in the country at 184 pounds. 

Soldano's win over Northern Iowa's incoming freshman Wyatt Voelker at the 2022 U20 World Team Trials:

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197: Billy Janzer, JR

A two-time NCAA qualifier, Billy Janzer missed the entirety of last season due to injury. Back healthy, Janzer has the potential to climb the rankings at 197-pounds based on his notable past wins over Rocky Jordan, Cam Caffey, Max Lyon, Jonathan Loew, and Gavin Hoffman. Come March, Janzer should be right in the mix to challenge for All-American honors. 

Janzer's win over Rocky Jordan from January 2020:

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285: Boone McDermott, JR

Boone McDermott took over the starting heavyweight spot for Rutgers last year after winning a junior college national title at Iowa Central. McDermott had an up-and-down year as a first-year starter compiling a 15-12 record on the year but failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament after falling in the 9th place match to Maryland’s Zach Schrader. McDermott has put on significant size since last season and Rutgers will need him to advance to the NCAA tournament this year to contribute to their team efforts. 

Where Will Rutgers Finish At NCAAs in 2023?

The Scarlett Knights currently have 0 projected All-Americans in our NCAA rankings and come in tied for 37th in team points. However, they are loaded with potential with All-American contenders up and down the lineup. If they’re able to put multiple guys on the podium in March, we could see Rutgers challenge to shoot into the top 10 at the NCAA Tournament.