Class of 2020 High School Big Board

Class Of 2020 Big Board

Braxton Amos continues to win, so he remains the king. Since we last updated these rankings, Amos has won now added Super 32, Ironman, and Powerade titles to his resume. While we learned he is likely better at Greco and freestyle in this stage of his career, he has finally started accumulating some signature, ranked folkstyle wins. Over the next year, if he can improve on bottom and increase his offensive productivity, his trajectory will point to exactly the kind of wrestler we think he can be at the college level.

AJ Ferrari moves up to #2, with Jesse Vasquez holding steady at #3. Though I may like Vasquez the most as a prospect of anyone in this class, the value of upperweights cannot be overstated. For better or worse, this class is just like most other previous years: Big guys are more valuable. Vasquez is a super stud and will be a great addition to a DI roster somewhere between 149 and 165, but Ferrari already has the body of a thoroughbred as a 184/197 prospect.

Patrick Kennedy and his advanced level hand-fighting slot in fourth, and Beau Bartlett, who is fresh off a win over Gavin Teasdale, rounds out the top five. Cadet world teamer Robert Howard had a big weekend, beating top-ranked 120-pounder Michael Colaiocco at Who's Number 1 Duals. Now up to No. 3 at 160lb after a Super 32 finals appearance and Geary win over Andrew Merola, Dustin Plott makes a big jump up to #7. Julian Tagg's body finally seems to have caught up to him at 120, and he remains one of the most highly sought-after prospects in this class. Trevor Mastrogiovanni continues to turn heads and has just one loss in his career, to junior big board king Kurt McHenry.

Kai Bele announced himself to the world with a pin over Mitch Moore at the Walsh Ironman and backed it up with a third-place finish at the Beast. But then he ran into some trouble against Kolby Ho at Powerade. At that same Ironman, E'lan Heard showed what kind of force he can be when fully healthy and at the right weight.

This sophomore class seems to be better than the current group of juniors and could probably be expanded to 100 if needed. This is still a lightweight-heavy list, as the group has yet to grow and sort itself out into college weights. However, the watch list now includes many more in the middle and upperweights.

Among those lightweights are Dylan Ragusin, Nick Kayal, Jacob Rundell, Ryan Miller, and Logan Agin.

The upcoming spring and summer campaigns are huge ones for this class. It is typically these prospects' second year at Fargo and/or Akron, and the expectations change. As a freshman and sophomore, it's about placing, notching big wins, and showing clear signs of development. As an upperclassman, the focus shifts from winning to dominating and then picking a college and laying out the blueprint that you won't plateau at your high school graduation.

Remember that the list expands to 100 when we turn it over into a junior big board. Some guys who should make their way in are Aizayah Yacapin (WA), Joey Thompson (MN), Hunter Catka (PA), Cole Handlovic (PA), Santos Cantu (OR), Konner Doucet (OK), Micah Ervin (KY), Jaden Glauser (IL), and Justin Bierdumpfel (NJ).

As always, please remember that big boards are not the same as weight class rankings. These are meant to be a projection for post high school. There will be many changes made over the next two years. If you would like to make me aware of a result or student-athlete to consider, please shoot me a DM on Twitter @wrestlingnomad or email Daniel.lobdell@flosports.tv.