2026-27 Roster/Lineup Discussion (Portal opens 4/1)

RUAldo

All-Conference
Sep 11, 2008
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Any insight on who?
Wonder if Carter Neves is on our HWT list. Monster at Blair won just about every major tournament- went to OSU. Transferred to Chattanooga presumably because of Feldman. Don’t think he made it on the mat this season due to personal reasons. In his prime he was best in country.
 
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NJwrestling26

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Oct 16, 2025
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Wonder if Carter Neves is on our HWT list. Monster at Blair won just about every major tournament- went to OSU. Transferred to Chattanooga presumably because of Feldman. Don’t think he made it on the mat this season due to personal reasons. In his prime he was best in country.
He hasn’t wrestled a match since high school which is pretty concerning going into his 3rd year of college. Heavyweight is such a black hole for us that every 285 in the portal is on our list
 

RUAldo

All-Conference
Sep 11, 2008
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He hasn’t wrestled a match since high school which is pretty concerning going into his 3rd year of college. Heavyweight is such a black hole for us that every 285 in the portal is on our list
I hear that - it’s just amazing how dominant he was not long ago.

was surprised to see Cody Chittum on the Chattanooga roster after transferring from ISU last season. I believe at one point he was #1 P4P in his class and by far the top commit ISU had gotten in a while.
 

Kiddagger311

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Sep 17, 2025
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I hear that - it’s just amazing how dominant he was not long ago.

was surprised to see Cody Chittum on the Chattanooga roster after transferring from ISU last season. I believe at one point he was #1 P4P in his class and by far the top commit ISU had gotten in a while.
He was,ISU is an elite staff/room too, not all blue chippers pan out. Paddy Gallagher of Ohio state, was another recent #1 p4p that didn’t really pan out, same with Amos.
 

RUAldo

All-Conference
Sep 11, 2008
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Apparently going to Nebraska per some twitter rumors.
transferring has become nothing more than a financial transaction without regard to factors like education, coaching, teammates, etc. Given this ridiculous environment, IDK why any kid with market value would stay at a school if money is what matters to them. This is just the beginning. How can a school like Lehigh afford Stanich at this point?
 

Barrellroll

Freshman
Dec 9, 2025
84
76
18
Was reported that Sasso didn’t pass the background check to Coach at Lehigh when they wanted to hire him. Then he came to the SKWC. Unless he completed the accelerated rehabilitated disposition, I don’t see him being hired by Rutgers.
 
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NJwrestling26

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Oct 16, 2025
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Was reported that Sasso didn’t pass the background check to Coach at Lehigh when they wanted to hire him. Then he came to the SKWC. Unless he completed the accelerated rehabilitated disposition, I don’t see him being hired by Rutgers.
He got the charges reduced and some thrown out in between the Lehigh rejection and coming to Rutgers
 
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Bobbynieds

All-American
Oct 19, 2012
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Brutal, can't blame him for wanting to carry, can blame him for not knowing the gun carry laws in states you are driving through
 

NJwrestling26

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Oct 16, 2025
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Brutal, can't blame him for wanting to carry, can blame him for not knowing the gun carry laws in states you are driving through
The issue was he didn’t change his license back to PA from Ohio after moving back . Gun law wise he would’ve be fine as far as the guns go if he had a PA license. The weed pen is another story , outside of Philly and Pittsburgh PA treats weed like its the 1950s I wouldn’t be surprised if they still show the reefer madness video to middle school kids.
 

LETSGORU91

Senior
Jul 9, 2025
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The issue was he didn’t change his license back to PA from Ohio after moving back . Gun law wise he would’ve be fine as far as the guns go if he had a PA license.
I'm not sure if the changing of the license to PA has anything to do with it. PA and OH have reciprocity for concealed carry. The initial reports said he was charged with not having a valid carry license and possessing illegal firearms. "The officer asked if he had a valid concealed carry permit, but Sasso said he did not.
 

NJwrestling26

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Oct 16, 2025
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I'm not sure if the changing of the license to PA has anything to do with it. PA and OH have reciprocity for concealed carry. The initial reports said he was charged with not having a valid carry license and possessing illegal firearms. "The officer asked if he had a valid concealed carry permit, but Sasso said he did not.
If you have a PA drivers license you are permitted to carry as long as it’s in the trunk. I just went back and read the article and didnt realize he had guns in the trunk and one in the drivers side door. If he had them in the trunk he wouldve been ok but he just got caught doing so many things wrong at once.
 
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Feb 2, 2019
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I'm not sure if the changing of the license to PA has anything to do with it. PA and OH have reciprocity for concealed carry. The initial reports said he was charged with not having a valid carry license and possessing illegal firearms. "The officer asked if he had a valid concealed carry permit, but Sasso said he did not.
Crazy. I understand him wanting to carry; I think I, too, would want a gun had I been shot. But illegal firearms? There's a responsibility that goes along with owning and carrying guns. As an aside, I live in SC and do not own a gun. I had not been aware of gun laws when I moved her from NJ. Once, while my Land Cruiser was at a repair shop, it was broken into. I got a call from the police asking what might have been taken from the car. He asked if I kept a gun under the seat. I thought it was a trick question, so I said, "No, of course not; that would be illegal." He told me it wasn't illegal, and many people keep guns under their seats. I was quite surprised. I wonder how many SC residents travel through other states, never thinking about the gun under their seat.
 
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Ryan0315

Redshirt
Apr 1, 2026
12
7
3
Connor Barket to Indiana. One of the best available heavyweights in the portal. I doubt we have interest in AJ but hopefully we can grab Herrera from Iowa State. I know he's visiting sometime this week.
 
Jul 2, 2025
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Connor Barket to Indiana. One of the best available heavyweights in the portal. I doubt we have interest in AJ but hopefully we can grab Herrera from Iowa State. I know he's visiting sometime this week.
Yeah Herrera is solid. Definitely All American potential. How many years of eligibility does he have left?
 

Kiddagger311

Senior
Sep 17, 2025
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Then we got to go all in on him. What I love about herrera is his positioning ,his aggressiveness amd hes got a good gas tank too.
Herrera would be solid get but idk about the all in on him…could be a very good value pickup..

Iowa state has Coby Merrill coming in so that’s why Herrera is portaling. He was NQ(at large bid) went 0-2 at nationals but had a decent regular season with a couple ranked wins.. his best attribute is he’s really good at getting bonus pts/pins.
 
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koleszar

Heisman
Jan 1, 2010
37,324
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Herrera would be solid get but idk about the all in on him…could be a very good value pickup..

Iowa state has Coby Merrill coming in so that’s why Herrera is portaling. He was NQ(at large bid) went 0-2 at nationals but had a decent regular season with a couple ranked wins.. his best attribute is he’s really good at getting bonus pts/pins.
Herrera (3 yrs.) seems like a better pickup than say a Barket (1yr.). Herrera went 24-15 and 0-2 nationals his true freshman year. With the redshirt year last year, just from a maturity standpoint I'm sure you'll see a big jump. I could get on board with this pick up and see an upside.
 

Ryan0315

Redshirt
Apr 1, 2026
12
7
3
Herrera (3 yrs.) seems like a better pickup than say a Barket (1yr.). Herrera went 24-15 and 0-2 nationals his true freshman year. With the redshirt year last year, just from a maturity standpoint I'm sure you'll see a big jump. I could get on board with this pick up and see an upside.
Agreed on this. Got to train a full year with runner up Bastida as well which can only help. Hopefully he liked his visit here and considers us.
 
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NJwrestling26

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Herrera (3 yrs.) seems like a better pickup than say a Barket (1yr.). Herrera went 24-15 and 0-2 nationals his true freshman year. With the redshirt year last year, just from a maturity standpoint I'm sure you'll see a big jump. I could get on board with this pick up and see an upside.
Herrera also beat 2 guys his true freshman year that Catka lost to as a 6th yr senior this year. He also just made the U23 team last year .He has huge upside and is probably the only heavyweight worth throwing big resources after
 

Kiddagger311

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Sep 17, 2025
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Herrera (3 yrs.) seems like a better pickup than say a Barket (1yr.). Herrera went 24-15 and 0-2 nationals his true freshman year. With the redshirt year last year, just from a maturity standpoint I'm sure you'll see a big jump. I could get on board with this pick up and see an upside.
There’s been a lot of guys I was expecting a big jump from the previous year and it just doesn’t automatically happen. In fact, more often than not, it doesn’t.

I like Herrera, he’s solid and there is possible upside. I like that he can bonus/pin lesser opponents, so he gets after it. I said he could be a good value pickup. Some people seem convinced he has good upside to AA, worth huge amounts of big resources.. and to that idk? Hopefully we get him and find out?
 

NJwrestling26

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There’s been a lot of guys I was expecting a big jump from the previous year and it just doesn’t automatically happen. In fact, more often than not, it doesn’t.

I like Herrera, he’s solid and there is possible upside. I like that he can bonus/pin lesser opponents, so he gets after it. I said he could be a good value pickup. Some people seem convinced he has good upside to AA, worth huge amounts of big resources.. and to that idk? Hopefully we get him and find out?
The “some people seem convinced he has good upside to AA” include Willie Saylor, the guys at flo , half the coaches in the ncaa ,his U23 coaches (But we know making world teams means nothing to you). Basically all the people whose job is knowing wrestling think he’s a legit guy. idk if we ll have enough resources to get him bc a lot of programs need a heavyweight but it would be a home run if we land him.
 

Kiddagger311

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Sep 17, 2025
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The “some people seem convinced he has good upside to AA” include Willie Saylor, the guys at flo , half the coaches in the ncaa ,his U23 coaches (But we know making world teams means nothing to you). Basically all the people whose job is knowing wrestling think he’s a legit guy. idk if we ll have enough resources to get him bc a lot of programs need a heavyweight but it would be a home run if we land him.
Why do you talk like you know everything and everything you say are facts? You’ve talked to half the coaches in the ncaa? I’ll be honest, I didn’t even know about Herrera until he hit the portal.. what did Willie Saylor say? Just listened to his Baschamania podcast and was surprised he didn’t mention anyone at hwt in the portal.

16:55 for rundown of portal activity 21:50 timestamp he talks bout hwt

I said I hope we land him but if u think he’s worth any amount of bag then okay?
 
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NJwrestling26

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I said I hope we land him but if u think he’s worth any amount of bag then okay?
I’m not saying give him a million dollars but him being the highest paid out of all the portal heavyweights is fair. 133,141,149 have alot more options then 285 so spending the most at 285 the biggest weakness with least amount of options makes sense to me .Its also beneficial to have a guy who just made a world team and might make it again this year in the room its something we ve really lacked
 
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Kiddagger311

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I’m not saying give him a million dollars but him being the highest paid out of all the portal heavyweights is fair. 133,141,149 have alot more options then 285 so spending the most at 285 the biggest weakness with least amount of options makes sense to me .Its also beneficial to have a guy who just made a world team and might make it again this year in the room its something we ve really lacked
Go back to where u said Willie Saylor talked about him and tell me why there was no mention of any hwt on his podcast.
 

Leonard23

Heisman
Feb 2, 2006
30,065
12,298
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Is Meyer from NY?
If he wants the coaching, Donnie and Buxton coached Seabass to a World SIlver.......
He's from MD. I wouldn't walk away from the Cornell degree at this point with 1 year left, unless he lands at an equivalent academic school...unless he's just going into coaching and it doesn't matter...

I'd like to know what his issues are with Grey.
 

RUAldo

All-Conference
Sep 11, 2008
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He's from MD. I wouldn't walk away from the Cornell degree at this point with 1 year left, unless he lands at an equivalent academic school...unless he's just going into coaching and it doesn't matter...

I'd like to know what his issues are with Grey.
Agree - get the degree and do a grad year. These kids can’t help themselves now because when they committed 3+ years ago the money was a joke. It all changed very quickly and they see guys like Knox and Bassett getting 7 figures without even stepping on the mat yet. I have a feeling the wrestling money isn’t sustainable because a lot of money will be tied up in wrestlers for 5 years meaning most programs can’t break the bank every year. How many more 7 figure wrestlers can VT bring in every year with Bassett, MM, Konopka, etc. still on the payroll?
 
Jul 2, 2025
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He's from MD. I wouldn't walk away from the Cornell degree at this point with 1 year left, unless he lands at an equivalent academic school...unless he's just going into coaching and it doesn't matter...

I'd like to know what his issues are with Grey.
He's from MD. I wouldn't walk away from the Cornell degree at this point with 1 year left, unless he lands at an equivalent academic school...unless he's just going into coaching and it doesn't matter...

I'd like to know what his issues are with Grey.
I guess I will throw my head on the chopping block with this. Grey is a notorious dick. He is an obnoxious, snide, condescening *** like Koll, Typical prep school, Delbarton, daddys boy