Possible Lineup For Husker Wrestling

skin-tight said:

125: Kael Lauridsen (2nd greatest need)
133: Jacob Van Dee
141: Omar Ayoub (3rd greatest need)
149: Nikade Zinkin (4th greatest need)
157: Taylor
165: LJ Araujo
174: Chris Minto
184: Marco Christensen (this is the biggest need on the roster)
197: Camden McDanel
285: Cade Ziola

Losing Eise was a head scratcher, unless Minto definitely is NOT moving up to 184. It appears that Minto handles fairly deep cuts well.

Although KL wrestled better at Big and NCAA i still think his Folkstyle is not showing a great trajectory (he could really improve if he would just attach himself to Hardy during the summer and learn). 141--Braeden Davis would be a great add if he were to enter the portal and I think the Husker Wrestling Family would be really good for him as a young man that could benefit from some "family" mentorship

Perhaps the UNC 184 is a good gambit? or perhaps Berge from SDS for a 1 year

133 and 141 are going to be tough weight classes imo next season

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Great post. Few things I disagree with:

1) 125 is 3rd biggest need at most. You just had a RS-FR who went 1-2 at NCAAs. His 2 losses were to 3rd place and blood round wrestlers. He also wrestled his best wrestling of the year in March. Bringing in someone else wastes Kael’s eligibility at this point. If next year regresses, then you get someone. But I don’t think you can make that move this offseason.
2) Hard pass on Braeden Davis. Dude is a low character guy but not top end on talent. He’s also arguably Penn State’s worst starter (good problem to have) but in a room where everyone gets better, he hasn’t. Pass. This next part is a “me problem” but I can’t fathom to see 141 taken over from Brock Hardy (a guy universally loved across the sport) by a guy that is universally disliked across the sport. Even Penn State fans don’t want Davis.
3) Eise was being looked at for 184 next season so his departure is a head scratcher (agree on that part) as it looked like he had the inside track to starting but don’t count out Jason Singer as a true freshman. He’s legit.

Biggest needs: 184, 141/133, 149

Manning has said JVD fits nicely at 141 so don’t be surprised if he’s there for his final season next year. Either way, 133 and 141 are insanely stacked.

149 should be Zinkin’s but doesn’t hurt to bring in talented depth as well. Big fan of Zinkin’s ceiling.

Berge for 1 season would be dope and gives Singer 1 year to redshirt and acclimate.
Also don’t be surprised if Nebraska brings in a 165 and bumps up Araujo and Minto. We have a presser with Manning tomorrow but a lot of options are on the table.

Really looking forward to Ziola locking down 285 for Nebraska for the next 4 years. I believe he has a chance to be the best 4-year guy at that weight in Husker history.

skin-tight said:

I forgot about Hockaday at 141--if he can remain at that weight might just be a very good one.

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sounds like Manning doesn't want to shift weights at this moment, so JVD will stay at 133. Ayoub/Hockaday for 141 and Zinkin for 149. Said they're looking for 184.

125 - Lauridsen SO (NCAA Qualifier)
133 - JVD SR (2x AA)
141 - Ayoub SO / Hockaday RS-FR
149 - Zinkin RS-FR
157 - Taylor SR (3x AA, 1x Champ)
165 - Araujo SO (NCAA Qualifier)
174 - Minto JR (2x AA)
184 - PORTAL
197 - McDanel JR (2x AA)
285 - Ziola RS-FR

Depending what happens with 184, Nebraska will have at minimum 5 starters as underclassmen (half the lineup) next season. Looking forward to next season; I think we could see another 7+ All Americans.

Huge shout out to the fans who showed up for Nebraska wrestling this year. Manning announced that the Iowa dual produced the most concessions revenue than any other event at Devaney Center (said he was even shocked to learn that). Keep showing up Huskers, would love to see us one day pack out PBA or even Memorial Stadium!

HuskerInCarolina said:

Really looking forward to Ziola locking down 285 for Nebraska for the next 4 years. I believe he has a chance to be the best 4-year guy at that weight in Husker history.

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I Almost replied with a Rulon comment but then I noticed you said "4 year guy".... yes, that would be awesome to see!

Nebraska going #2 & then #3 at nationals was Awesome... I do look for a slight step back this season as they regroup but no reason they still couldn't end up Top 6-7 at Nationals if all plays out right

ADV88 said:

Nebraska going #2 & then #3 at nationals was Awesome... I do look for a slight step back this season as they regroup but no reason they still couldn't end up Top 6-7 at Nationals if all plays out right

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Imo, they’ll be top 5 minimum barring unforeseen circumstances. They’re returning 4 AAs. Taylor and Minto will be some of the favorites to win their weights. Ziola will score points at NCAAs. Zinkin will score points at NCAAs. Araujo will AA. Lauridsen will score more points at NCAAs, if not AA. 141 and 184 are the biggest question marks but I can’t imagine they don’t bring in a stud at 184.

Now, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them going through some growing pains early in the season. We will have 5 underclassmen starters as it projects. 6 of 184 is an underclassmen. But come late in the season, as we’ve seen the past few years, that Manning March Magic will be in full effect.