Rutgers’ Anthony Knox is the only freshman on this list who will be looking to win his first title in a weight class that returns its champion...

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October 9, 2026 – Takedown Report

1 post published by The TakeDown Report on October 9, 2026

takedownreport.com

 

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5 wrestling freshmen who could compete for national titles this season

Four freshmen won men’s DI NCAA titles last year. These are the top five freshmen who will be pushing to make similar history this year.

www.ncaa.com

 

[Kiddagger311]

5 wrestling freshmen who could compete for national titles this season

Four freshmen won men’s DI NCAA titles last year. These are the top five freshmen who will be pushing to make similar history this year.

www.ncaa.com

Kinda crazy last year had 4 freshman champs w 3 of them being true freshman..

By the time RU faces off PSU, Knox vs LL could be a huge match as Knox should be battle tested by then(interesting to note PSU’s schedule, besides the mandatory B10 part, looks baby soft) and could be ranked as high as #2/3

-Early test for Knox at Navy vs #23 Binni
- Keystone classic could face off #10 Gallagher
- National duals could face Provo, Volk, Robinson, Venstresca, Spratley

 

[Corby2]

Kinda crazy last year had 4 freshman champs w 3 of them being true freshman..

By the time RU faces off PSU, Knox vs LL could be a huge match as Knox should be battle tested by then(interesting to note PSU’s schedule, besides the mandatory B10 part, looks baby soft) and could be ranked as high as #2/3

-Early test for Knox at Navy vs #23 Binni
- Keystone classic could face off #10 Gallagher
- National duals could face Provo, Volk, Robinson, Venstresca, Spratley

Virginia tech and Nebraska have Keystone on the schedule so Ventresca and Robinson should be there along with Gallagher

 

[SCNJ]

Knox has elite credentials and a redshirt year under his belt. I don’t know if he can beat LL but I think he can certainly be a finalist.

 

[Kiddagger311]

Knox has elite credentials and a redshirt year under his belt. I don’t know if he can beat LL but I think he can certainly be a finalist.

Well Knox did beat LL in 2021 but that was a long time ago so yeah.. LL went as a true freshman and did fine..

If Knox wins out before they meet could be a #1vs #2/3 matchup at home … Reminiscent of when Ash beat Kolodzik to take the #1ranking.

 

[Corby2]

Well Knox did beat LL in 2021 but that was a long time ago so yeah.. LL went as a true freshman and did fine..

If Knox wins out before they meet could be a #1vs #2/3 matchup at home … Reminiscent of when Ash beat Kolodzik to take the #1ranking.

After the new year he will see Lilledahl Robinson Volk Deluca Rivera McGowan

 

[Kiddagger311]

After the new year he will see Lilledahl Robinson Volk Deluca Rivera McGowan

That’s gotta be one of the toughest schedule.. Knox is going to run into the majority of #1-7ranked guys, some multiple times.. and might hit Robinson 3x before even the B10s… has anyone ever hit each other 5x in one season before?

 

[Corby2]

That’s gotta be one of the toughest schedule.. Knox is going to run into the majority of #1-7ranked guys, some multiple times.. and might hit Robinson 3x before even the B10s… has anyone ever hit each other 5x in one season before?

He will definitely be battle tested come March . O'Connor and Finesilver wrestled 6 times in the 18-19 season Finesilver was 3-1 heading into NCAA and O'Connor beat him twice at NCAA in the 1/4 and for 3rd

 

[NJwrestling26]

That’s gotta be one of the toughest schedule.. Knox is going to run into the majority of #1-7ranked guys, some multiple times.. and might hit Robinson 3x before even the B10s… has anyone ever hit each other 5x in one season before?

The Covid year Noah Adams from West Virginia was like 20-0 against the rest of the country ( including ncaa champ aj ferrari ) but was 0-4 against Stephan Buchanan, losing to him in dual , midlands , big 12s and then they matched up first round of ncaas

 

[Corby2]

The Covid year Noah Adams from West Virginia was like 20-0 against the rest of the country ( including ncaa champ aj ferrari ) but was 0-4 against Stephan Buchanan, losing to him in dual , midlands , big 12s and then they matched up first round of ncaas

And all the matches were close until NCAA then Buchanan pinned him in the 1st period. They never wrestled at Midlands Adams beat Sloan in the Midlands finals the previous year . I don't think Buchanan ever wrestled at Midlands. Oklahoma st had a tournament that year and he beat Adams there after Adams beat AJ

 

[PessimisticallyHopefulPragmatist]

After the new year he will see Lilledahl Robinson Volk Deluca Rivera McGowan

Well, that should tell us something. Remember, Peterson beat Lilledahl. It will be difficult, but if Knox keeps it close, I like his chances in short-time.