2020-21 NCAA DI Rankings

197 Pounds

Every weight class explanation will include the following preseason caveats. Chiefly, that it is far too early to know the weight classes in which every wrestler in the NCAA will be going. A great many wrestlers themselves probably do not know that with any amount of certainty. Furthermore, Covid-19 and the postponed 2020 Olympics through yet more uncertainty into the mix. 

As more information about if and where wrestlers will be competing becomes publically available, we will update the rankings accordingly. For the most part, we will be assuming that no redshirt years will be taken, neither will any weight classes be changed. However, as noted, all that will very likely change in the ensuing months, as will the rankings. 

Notes:

With Kollin Moore no longer around to terrorize the division, Noah Adams, the breakout star of 2020, takes over the top spot at 197. Adams went undefeated last season, winning a Big 12 title for the Mountaineers. 

Pitt Panther Nino Bonaccorsi is moving up a weight class after two varsity seasons at 184. Nino held his own with the elite of that monstrous division and should do likewise up a weight. He slots in right behind fellow rising junior Jacob Warner at #6.

Taking over for Moore will be Chase Singletary, who will be hopefully full recovered from his injury last season and able to handle the drop down from heavyweight. Singletary has some but not a lot of history at 197, so we had to use a bit of subjectivity on his preseason placement.  

Penn State graduated several big names last season. Michael Beard will be part of the new crop of Blue and White stars in Happy Valley. With a win over Dakota Geer and a loss to Ethan Laird, his position into the top 25 was one of the easiest calls to make. 

Speaking of Laird, we're expecting Rutgers transfer Matt Correnti to start for Rider and two-time national qualifier Ethan Laird to redshirt. Correnti qualified for the NCAAs before, but given his results over the last year or two is at the moment right on the bubble, though he absolutely has the potential to break back into the rankings.

We also received word that Jacob Seely will be back for another year with Northern Colorado, and as such as been placed back in the rankings. 

Michigan State will be bumping everyone from Jake Tucker to Cam Caffey up a weight class. Caffey debuts in the 197-pound rankings at #7. Davison's wins were enough to give him the edge and likewise, Caffey knocked off enough All-Americans and AA-contenders to claim the nod over Norfleet. Pat Brucki's announcement that he will take the season off to recover from surgery (and transfer from Princeton to Michigan) means there was an open space in the top 25 for Caffey to claim and no one gets bumped off the list. 

Lots of new names toward the bottom of the rankings, so expect plenty of turnover as the season wears on. 

Questions or comments for the rankers? We welcome and encourage your feedback. Hit up Andrew Spey (email: Andrew.Spey@flosports.tv; Twitter: @SpeyWrestle) and David Bray (email: David.Bray@flosports.tv; Twitter: @_DavidBray).