EARLY 2026-27 lineup projections/discussions

Anon1771451651

Redshirt
Feb 18, 2026
26
23
3
They’re saying Jax had no problem with 33. Maybe he just wanna those slinky kids. Really long for that weight though for sure
 

Walkon86

Sophomore
Jan 17, 2014
56
152
33
Given Cunningham’s performance (silver) at U20s
At 79 kg (173.8lbs), how competitive will 174 be between Henckle and Cunningham
 

McScoreley

All-Conference
Oct 31, 2021
392
1,998
93
Like it's been said a few times, the way Cael handles things is not making promises or asking his guys to move around. Pick the weight you feel you're best suited to accomplish your goals at and settle it from there. Everything always falls into place from there.
 

HOA242n!

Senior
Aug 18, 2025
257
641
93
I have little doubt that we have all drunk maybe a bit to much of the Nate Desmond coolaid after he beat Luke. I am confident familiarity played some, even a minor role in that result

Nate is going to be great no doubt, but is he a finalist contender at 141 out of the gate next year? I doubt it. Is Nate better than either Luke or Marcus? My answer there is also no.

I offer that Marcus at 141 next year is better than Nate at 141 from a teams points pov, but I still think Nate is the wiser long term choice for the team. Both will be a little undersized, both both are definitely automatically AAs. There is a good chance Jax moves up to 141 next year as well.

Let Nate carry the ball then look out the following year when James, Duke and Marcus all rejoin/join the starting lineup.
IMO Nate would have a solid shot at AA at 133 next year. Barring adding a few inches (not just lbs.) over the summer, at 141 I see his ceiling next season to be a wash to Davis this past season.
 

J.E.B

All-Conference
Jul 8, 2001
2,250
3,271
113
IMO Nate would have a solid shot at AA at 133 next year. Barring adding a few inches (not just lbs.) over the summer, at 141 I see his ceiling next season to be a wash to Davis this past season.
Ono at 133… Desmond at 141 and Blaze RS is a great plan. Same with RS. Kids been wrestling non stop for a year at least. Same with MM.
 

CTStall

Senior
Oct 24, 2020
308
770
93
I don’t know about that. Asher is a beast on top. Probably his best position
I'll stand by what I said. I watched both of them at the Cadet Open . Asher was decent on controlling bottom man from top but didn't score much. Asher had trouble getting out from bottom.
Asher is really strong and will not get horsed but I didn't see the offense that Henkel has.
Obviously that was 6 months ago.
Maybe the gap has changed.
 

HugoHugo

Senior
Jan 25, 2024
356
816
93
Aren't the current rostered wrestlers "grandfathered" into the current system?

Otherwise, wouldn't Levi get an additional 5th year?
 

HugoHugo

Senior
Jan 25, 2024
356
816
93
Nope.

No grandfathering. If you're done, you're done.

If you've used a redshirt, it counts. Everyone enrolled in classes in the fall gets 5 years, periodt.
Thanks for the insight. You seem to the know as much as anyone on the 5/5 - is there any information as it relates to possible gray shirts? Or, does the clock start when a wrestler graduates high school? Prep school?
 

GregPickel

Heisman
Staff member
Jul 25, 2021
45,508
99,001
113
Thanks for the insight. You seem to the know as much as anyone on the 5/5 - is there any information as it relates to possible gray shirts? Or, does the clock start when a wrestler graduates high school? Prep school?
Per the NCAA, the clock starts once you either turn 19 or graduate high school, whichever comes first:

 

Fink26

Freshman
Jul 30, 2001
44
98
18
VHS, I don't think that's exactly correct. From what I've seen, you are correct re those who used up their eligibility this year. They are done.

However, for those that have eligibility left, they can either elect to have the new 5/5 rule or stay under the old system. I believe selections/waivers are expected to be due this Summer.

Thus, SVN can elect to stay on the old system and still have one year. On the new system, he'd be done.

For PJD, MB and LL, the new system means they would have 4, 4 and 3 years left.

Ono might be interesting as I don't know when he graduated high school. He was born in 2004 so I would think he has two years if he wants them under the new rule.
 

PSUPetch

Senior
Oct 31, 2021
241
661
93
I'll stand by what I said. I watched both of them at the Cadet Open . Asher was decent on controlling bottom man from top but didn't score much. Asher had trouble getting out from bottom.
Asher is really strong and will not get horsed but I didn't see the offense that Henkel has.
Obviously that was 6 months ago.
Maybe the gap has changed.
Didn’t they wrestle each other last year (or was it the year before)? IIRC,Asher got out to a huge lead on Henkel (8 or 9 to 0, I think), but then Henkel gassed Asher out and ended up winning 11-10 or something like that.

Somebody please confirm that I didn’t dream this. Thanks!
 
  • Like
Reactions: zzs006

zzs006

All-American
Mar 27, 2017
970
5,421
93
Didn’t they wrestle each other last year (or was it the year before)? IIRC,Asher got out to a huge lead on Henkel (8 or 9 to 0, I think), but then Henkel gassed Asher out and ended up winning 11-10 or something like that.

Somebody please confirm that I didn’t dream this. Thanks!
Yes indeed. 2024 Ironman finals
 

vhsalum

All-Conference
Nov 14, 2002
1,249
2,864
113
Thanks for the insight. You seem to the know as much as anyone on the 5/5 - is there any information as it relates to possible gray shirts? Or, does the clock start when a wrestler graduates high school? Prep school?

VHS, I don't think that's exactly correct. From what I've seen, you are correct re those who used up their eligibility this year. They are done.

However, for those that have eligibility left, they can either elect to have the new 5/5 rule or stay under the old system. I believe selections/waivers are expected to be due this Summer.

Thus, SVN can elect to stay on the old system and still have one year. On the new system, he'd be done.

For PJD, MB and LL, the new system means they would have 4, 4 and 3 years left.

Ono might be interesting as I don't know when he graduated high school. He was born in 2004 so I would think he has two years if he wants them under the new rule.

See the below chart for reference. It's either current rules OR new eligibility rules. So Fink is correct, it's literally going to be a case by case basis and what is best for the athlete. What an absolute nightmare.

Clock starts when you turn 19 OR graduate. Period. You want to go to prep school? That's a year of eligibility. Grey shirt? Year of eligibility. So yeah. The NCAA is definitely going to get sued over this. Basically, why do they get to mandate age when schools allow persons to enroll? That's going to be the next argument.

1778000766000.png
 
Last edited:

vhsalum

All-Conference
Nov 14, 2002
1,249
2,864
113
Actually, here's an update on a "grace period" (prep school, grey shirt, etc). But it ONLY applies for Spring of 2026 high school graduates.

Come spring of 2027, age-based model only. Period.

1778000628200.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: SkiSkiSki

HugoHugo

Senior
Jan 25, 2024
356
816
93
Will be interesting where the cutoff for being 24 will be . Bassett will be 24 on August 25 of his 5th year of eligibility.
Under the new plan, his eligibility would have started 9 months ago when his HS senior year was just getting started?

Sounds like he might only get 4 years.

Just spitballing here, but did Jax see this coming and leave high school early to get his 5 years? (Birthdate 10/13/2006)
 
  • Like
Reactions: SkiSkiSki

Misalorales

All-Conference
Jun 3, 2025
1,311
3,966
113
Will be interesting where the cutoff for being 24 will be . Bassett will be 24 on August 25 of his 5th year of eligibility.
I think it's a shame but with how the rule is currently rumored to be written, Basset is only getting 4 years. Maybe an unintended positive of this is we don't see as many ridiculous hold back scenarios. Someone else mentioned Jax but he turned 19 DURING his senior year and it would be the NEXT academic year his eligibility started so I think he would still have had 5. Bassett turned 19 before an academic year started by any definition of academic years I know of. Call me whatever you want, having a MAN who turned 19 prior to his senior year of highschool compete in highschool is absolutely ridiculous.

I'm not going to delete this because I said it, but I ranted on for no good reason that's for sure. My bad.
 
Last edited:

mjmirv

All-Conference
Jun 15, 2001
353
1,620
93
I wonder if you’ll see any class of 27 guys reclassify and enroll this year so they don’t lose a year of college eligibility.
 

CentexLion

Senior
Jul 9, 2001
107
464
63
Actually, here's an update on a "grace period" (prep school, grey shirt, etc). But it ONLY applies for Spring of 2026 high school graduates.

Come spring of 2027, age-based model only. Period.

View attachment 1282108
I may have missed it, but there are still exemptions on the clock starting (or being delayed during the 5 years) for 1)military service 2)missions and 3)pregnancy, I believe
 
  • Like
Reactions: SkiSkiSki

HOA242n!

Senior
Aug 18, 2025
257
641
93
Call me whatever you want, having a MAN who turned 19 prior to his senior year of highschool compete in highschool is absolutely ridiculous.
Interested to see what (if any) trickle down effect this has on normal prep sports. Kind of sick of seeing my son being one of the top 2-3 sprinters in the state in his age group, then losing at his local 3-school track meet to kids more than 2yrs older than him (who are somehow in the same grade).
 
Last edited:

vhsalum

All-Conference
Nov 14, 2002
1,249
2,864
113
Interested to see what (if any) trickle down effect this has on normal prep sports. Kind of sick of seeing my son being one of the top 2-3 sprinters in the state in his age group, then losing at his local 3-school track meet to kids more than 2yrs older than him (who are somehow in the same grade).
No trickle down. High School sports associations have their own eligibility rules.

But with the "19 years old or graduation FIRST" in place - you're not going to see it as much.
 

HOA242n!

Senior
Aug 18, 2025
257
641
93
No trickle down. High School sports associations have their own eligibility rules.

But with the "19 years old or graduation FIRST" in place - you're not going to see it as much.
"Trickle down" as if some parents may not redshirt 10yr old Jimmy if it gives him one less year of (hypothetical) college eligibility down the road. Similar to Misalorales' statement: no 13yr old should be competing in elementary school sports competitions.
 

vhsalum

All-Conference
Nov 14, 2002
1,249
2,864
113
"Trickle down" as if some parents may not redshirt 10yr old Jimmy if it gives him one less year of (hypothetical) college eligibility down the road. Similar to Misalorales' statement: no 13yr old should be competing in elementary school sports competitions.
IF the 5 for 5 stays in place, it won't matter. You're going to have the 1 year hold back... but that's it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hohmadw1978

Acacia

Senior
Oct 30, 2021
216
477
63
So lets try this 5 for 5 lineup...

125 Lilledahl
133 Ono or Blaze -if no Ono Desmond here or 141
141 Blaze or Ono
149 SVN
157 Winner of Sealey or Kasak --- maybe James to get into the lineup?
165 Mesenbrink if 165 or Winner of Duke, James
174 Mesenbrink if 174 or Winner of Duke, James, Henckel, Cunningham
184 Welsh
197 Barr
285 Cole Mirasola
 

Efejle

All-Conference
Apr 30, 2023
968
2,250
93
So lets try this 5 for 5 lineup...

125 Lilledahl
133 Ono or Blaze -if no Ono Desmond here or 141
141 Blaze or Ono
149 SVN
157 Winner of Sealey or Kasak --- maybe James to get into the lineup?
165 Mesenbrink if 165 or Winner of Duke, James
174 Mesenbrink if 174 or Winner of Duke, James, Henckel, Cunningham
184 Welsh
197 Barr
285 Cole Mirasola
Ono is not going 141.
125 Luke
133 Ono
141 Marcus
149 SVN
157 Duke
165 Mitchell
174 James
184 Rocco
197 Barr
285 Cole

And DT ain't closing any gaps yet.
 

Acacia

Senior
Oct 30, 2021
216
477
63
Ono is not going 141.
125 Luke
133 Ono
141 Marcus
149 SVN
157 Duke
165 Mitchell
174 James
184 Rocco
197 Barr
285 Cole

And DT ain't closing any gaps yet.
I don't disagree with your suggested outcome. My point is that with no more redshirts all positions will be settled by who wins wrestle-offs at unsettled weights. If Blaze and Mesenbrink are the alpha dogs who pick their weight, then everyone else will have to find a weight class to wrestle. (I assume Luke, SVN, Rocco, Josh and Cole have nailed down their weights for the coming year --- barring injuries.) It sure doesn't look like Duke can make 157 again (but Levi did it). James looks small for 174 --- but who knows about growth spurts or Kasak's cows.

Certainly looks like another outstanding year with so many options. Penn State appears to have a 20-40 point advantage over DT again this year. 2028 and 2029 will be more competitive with Oklahoma State. SVN and Mesenbrink are gone after this year. We lose Kasak, Welsh and Barr after 2028 --- luckily with 5 for 5 we get another year of Lilledahl in 2029. DT has his 2026 4 super freshmen thru 2030.