Jacob Warner and Rocky Elam will meet in the 197-pound match at the NWCA All-Star Classic presented by Cliff Keen on November 22 in Austin, Texas. Both Warner and Elam are two of the top wrestlers in the country at their weight class and are two of the favorites to contend for an NCAA title this year. In the below preview, we’ll look at an overview of the careers of both wrestlers and breakdown the upcoming matchup.

Before we dive into this bout, take a look at a snapshot of both Jacob Warner and Rocky Elam’s college careers. Below you'll see their college records, finishes at NCAAs, and a hitlist of their wins over past All-Americans.

Jacob Warner, Iowa

Quick Stats:

• 76-19 career college record
• 3X All-American - 2nd in 2022, 4th in 2021, 7th in 2019

Warner’s college hitlist:

• Stephen Buchanan (2X)
• Eric Schultz (3X)
• Gavin Hoffman (2X)
• Jake Woodley (2X)
• Lucas Davison (3X)
• Dakota Geer
• Shakur Rasheed
• Patrick Brucki
• Ben Honis
• Josh Hokit
• Willie Miklus

Rocky Elam, Missouri

Quick Stats:

• 41-9 career college record
• 2X All-American - 4th in 2022, 5th in 2021
• 2021 Junior World Champion

Elam’s college hitlist:

• Gavin Hoffman
• Eric Schultz (2X)
• Nino Bonaccorsi
• Yonger Bastida (2X)
• Jake Woodley (3X)
• Michael Beard

What To Expect At The All-Star

Despite being two of the top 197-pound wrestlers in the country for the past two years, Jacob Warner and Rocky Elam have never met in their college careers. Looking at some common opponents reveals how evenly matched they are “on paper”. Warner has defeated Stephen Buchanan twice - an opponent who defeated Elam three times. However, Elam has wins over Eric Schultz, Younger Bastida, and Jake Woodley - all opponents who have past wins over Warner. So who has the edge?

Jacob Warner closed out his season last year with an outstanding NCAA tournament when he took out Eric Schultz and Stephen Buchanan to make the NCAA finals. Though he fell just short against Max Dean in the finals match, Warner should be considered the slight favorite in this matchup against Elam. Warner showed great ability on top in the NCAA tournament last year riding Schultz out for the entire second period and even turning Buchanan in the semis. That top ability could prove to be the difference in the match against Elam.

Highlights of Warner’s win over Stephen Buchanan in the 2022 NCAA semis:

Despite Warner outperforming Elam at the NCAA tournament last year, Elam is absolutely capable of taking out Warner at the NWCA All-Star Classic. Elam is a big, athletic 197-pounder who is able to get to the legs of almost any opponent. Elam will absolutely create opportunities to score with his leg attacks - the key against Warner will be finishing quickly and getting out from bottom. Regardless of who wins the match on November 22 in Austin, it should be a spectacular battle between two of the country’s top wrestlers at the weight!

Elam’s win over Gavin Hoffman at the 2022 NCAA tournament: