EARLY 2026-27 lineup projections/discussions

[Corby2]

That may be but Blaze is a lot taler then ONO and fill like he can fill out 141 better but that is a lot of "ifs" I think if it coms down to Ono, Desmond or Davis... we have a high AA at 141 with Ono being a good chance at a finalist. it is also crazy to think that Kasak may not be able to crack our lineup??? Duke, James, Kasak, Sealy all potentially at 57 is absurd. I know that Duke is moving up and I project he pulls a Levi and goes to 174.

Good problems to have . Sounds like Mitchell will stay at 165. Who knows Levi might get another year as well. Courts need to make decisions here soon

 

[KH1984]

I don't think he could beat SVN

 

[KH1984]

Just to clear things up.....

NOTE the 1st sentence of my post...

You are correct that SVN will be the starter at 149 in 2026-2027 BUT the post is about the 2027-2028 season and SVN will be out of eligibility by 2027-2028

 

[Joejitsu]

Good problems to have . Sounds like Mitchell will stay at 165. Who knows Levi might get another year as well. Courts need to make decisions here soon

An embarrassment of riches is definitely good problems to have / and Levi back would be insane! / would that mean Jesse Mendez back at OHIO St one more year / Lucas Byrd at ILL / Brock Hardy ?

 

[psustan]

An embarrassment of riches is definitely good problems to have / and Levi back would be insane! / would that mean Jesse Mendez back at OHIO St one more year / Lucas Byrd at ILL / Brock Hardy ?

i don't feel like digging too much into the others eligibility but Levi is so simple because he never redshirted or anything. 4 years in college, 4 seasons wrestled. really straight forward for him

 

[Corby2]

An embarrassment of riches is definitely good problems to have / and Levi back would be insane! / would that mean Jesse Mendez back at OHIO St one more year / Lucas Byrd at ILL / Brock Hardy ?

Mendez would as well yes he did 4 straight with no RS. Others you mentioned wouldn't be back they both took a RS

 

[Corby2]

i don't feel like digging too much into the others eligibility but Levi is so simple because he never redshirted or anything. 4 years in college, 4 seasons wrestled. really straight forward for him

It would only be guys who did 4 straight with no RS like Levi and Mendez. I can't think of any other big names

 

[5q]

a nugget from Brantt posted on 247
levi joined the lawsuit to get a 5th year.

 

[Joejitsu]

Mendez would as well yes he did 4 straight with no RS. Others you mentioned wouldn't be back they both took a RS

i feel like Levi / Mendez and who knows who else that impacts but that potentially has a very big impact

 

[Corby2]

i feel like Levi / Mendez and who knows who else that impacts but that potentially has a very big impact

No other guys who were AAs last year would be back just those two

 

[Efejle]

How about this:

125 LL(1)
133 Ono(1)
141 Blaze(2)
149 SVN(2)
157 JJ(1)
165 Mitchell(1)
174 Levi(1)
184 Rocco(3)
197 Barr(1)
Hwt Connor(4)

I included where I think they'll be seeded come next March.

 

[vhsalum]

a nugget from Brantt posted on 247
levi joined the lawsuit to get a 5th year.

 

[zzs006]

How about this:

125 LL(1)
133 Ono(1)
141 Blaze(2)
149 SVN(2)
157 JJ(1)
165 Mitchell(1)
174 Levi(1)
184 Rocco(3)
197 Barr(1)
Hwt Connor(4)

I included where I think they'll be seeded come next March.

Duke? You have James beating him? No matter what a championship level kid won’t be in the lineup especially if Levi got another year

 

[WV lion]

Duke? You have James beating him? No matter what a championship level kid won’t be in the lineup especially if Levi got another year

Don't think duke can make the cut again.

 

[Corby2]

That's Minto currently

 

[Corby2]

Don't think duke can make the cut again.

If Levi is back I see Duke making the cut and James not enrolling. I know he already did but that didn't start his clock gotta take 12 credits for your clock to start

 

[vhsalum]

Don't think duke can make the cut again.

He's already planning on it.

 

[Goggles Paisano]

The solution to 5 for 5 is 14 weight classes, why can't everyone see that?

 

[D-Rock71]

The solution to 5 for 5 is 14 weight classes, why can't everyone see that?

Brilliant idea! I like it, I always told my people -bring me solutions not complaints!!

 

[McScoreley]

a nugget from Brantt posted on 247
levi joined the lawsuit to get a 5th year.

He's plugged in as we know. I am a bit shocked by this though.

 

[Corby2]

He's plugged in as we know. I am a bit shocked by this though.

I'm not why wouldn't he take the $ and wrestle another year. I can think of about 750,000 reasons why. Kasak we have seen can't stay healthy. James can not enroll. And Duke can go 157. Actually a smart move

 

[McScoreley]

I'm not why wouldn't he take the $ and wrestle another year. I can think of about 750,000 reasons why. Kasak we have seen can't stay healthy. James can not enroll. And Duke can go 157. Actually a smart move

Ah is that the going rate for Levi Haines? 750K?

 

[JA1339]

Doesn’t Levi also get paid as a member of NLWC?

 

[Junglekat]

He's already planning on it.

Finally someone said it. I think he even said it in an interview lol.

 

[Corby2]

Ah is that the going rate for Levi Haines? 750K?

Gotta be in that ballpark. He would probably take some new camping gear though

 

[Coastal2]

The solution to 5 for 5 is 14 weight classes, why can't everyone see that?

A real solution would be the 10 weights classes in each dual plus one "wildcard". Random draw for an extra match at one of the ten weight classes. Have the draw one week in advance so the away team could bring someone at that weight. It would allow for coaches to play the matchups at one weight.

The next would be to allow a team to enter a second wrestler at one weight at NCAAs. They'd have to qualify at conferences or via wildcard.

 

[Corby2]

This year will be cool because everyone on the roster is available for every dual. 4/5 just means you don't wrestle at the qualifier

 

[Matter7172]

Maybe it's time for D1 to have JV and Varsity matches when duals are held. That, to me, would be awesome. Imagine getting to see Iowa get whooped twice in a day.

 

[creamery freak]

Maybe it's time for D1 to have JV and Varsity matches when duals are held. That, to me, would be awesome. Imagine getting to see Iowa get whooped twice in a day.

I liked the extra matches we had after Covid. I wish they could go back to that. Even better if they did them before the main dual meet.

 

[District 4]

He made a hard cut (that I thought very difficult and unlikely) to 141 as a Freshman. He has shown that he can make a tough cut.

I was trying to put together the best lineup while making possible (or probable) assumptions. It'd make the most sense if the cut to 149 would be doable for him. It is a far better option than facing off with Duke or James for a starting spot.

Don't you agree?

Kasak can hang with anyone

 

[Hockeygod11]

Kasak can hang with anyone

Probably true but his health is a major ??

 

[psustan]

He's already planning on it.

honestly really excited about that just because i selfishly want to see him get another crack at Robideau and continue whooping up on Taylor

 

[psustan]

If Levi is back I see Duke making the cut and James not enrolling. I know he already did but that didn't start his clock gotta take 12 credits for your clock to start

crazy how well timed the 5 for 5 is for James since he's the right age for his grade, maybe even on the younger side. someone like Bassett would be screwed in this situation

 

[Corby2]

crazy how well timed the 5 for 5 is for James since he's the right age for his grade, maybe even on the younger side. someone like Bassett would be screwed in this situation

Jayden turned 18 in June and Bassett will be 20 in August

 

[manatree]

A real solution would be the 10 weights classes in each dual plus one "wildcard". Random draw for an extra match at one of the ten weight classes. Have the draw one week in advance so the away team could bring someone at that weight. It would allow for coaches to play the matchups at one weight.

The next would be to allow a team to enter a second wrestler at one weight at NCAAs. They'd have to qualify at conferences or via wildcard.

Why stop there? Have a random draw for every weight from among all rostered wrestlers certified at each weight.

 

[KH1984]

How about this:

125 LL(1)
133 Ono(1)
141 Blaze(2)
149 SVN(2)
157 JJ(1)
165 Mitchell(1)
174 Levi(1)
184 Rocco(3)
197 Barr(1)
Hwt Connor(4)

I included where I think they'll be seeded come next March.

How about this:

125 LL(1)
133 Ono(1)
141 Blaze(2)
149 SVN(2)
157 JJ(1)
165 Mitchell(1)
174 Levi(1)
184 Rocco(3)
197 Barr(1)
Hwt Connor(4)

I included where I think they'll be seeded come next March.

Ummmm...no PJ Duke or Kasak? If Levi came back it would be VERY SMART to convince a just turned 18 year old Jayden James to take a gap year (which would not effect his 5 for 5 eligibility).

 

[KH1984]

If Levi is back I see Duke making the cut and James not enrolling. I know he already did but that didn't start his clock gotta take 12 credits for your clock to start

Correct!

 

[KH1984]

Finally someone said it. I think he even said it in an interview lol.

Finally someone said it. I think he even said it in an interview lol.

Hmmmmmmm...that is interesting. I didn't love the idea of PJ going up to 174. IF he can hold 157 1 more year he can slide into 165 the following 3 years. I see James taking a gap year, then as the 157 starter next year (2027)

 

[KH1984]

Maybe it's time for D1 to have JV and Varsity matches when duals are held. That, to me, would be awesome. Imagine getting to see Iowa get whooped twice in a day.

 

[Goggles Paisano]

Hmmmmmmm...that is interesting. I didn't love the idea of PJ going up to 174. IF he can hold 157 1 more year he can slide into 165 the following 3 years. I see James taking a gap year, then as the 157 starter next year (2027)

On balance I like the thought of an invincible MM at 174, and PJ at 165, better than PJ up 2 weight classes, where adjusting to opponents power will take a little time. PJ is a power wrestler and trying to do the same things up two weights without some period of acclimation will test him. I still see him as a finalist at 174, but the road there may have a few bumps. Mitchell on the otherhand, even slightly undersized will just out pace everyone as he always does.

I had expected Levi just to move on, but to hear he is in on the law suit, really complicates the situation. I have very little doubt they will prevail, but I do wonder how quickly the case will be heard.

All of this certainly indicates JJ taking a grey shirt will be beneficial to the team, as well as himself if he wants to start 5 years. He is a unicorn, but I will be quite surprised if he can beat either, Levi, Mitchell, or the combination of Kasak and PJ. A year of eligibility wasted more than likely.