Fifth year Eligibility - Levi, Mendes

[vhsalum]

https://www.sportico.com/law/analysis/2026/wisne-ncaa-oral-argument-10th-circuit-2-1234952074/

Not looking good for the Class of 22. I've never heard of judges being so antagonistic. One judge even equated the eligibility of the Class of 2022 to persons who couldn't be accepted due to poor academics.

SHEEEEESH

 

[Matter7172]

I thought it would be more of an equal protection clause case.

 

[McScoreley]

Further, Kilaru emphasized that the return of former college athletes to college sports would mean that “thousands” of eligible college athletes “would be displaced” on rosters or at least lose playing time.

This might be more relevant to PSU wrestling than anyone else. Levi coming back would:
1. Either bump a 2x finalist out of the line up (if he chooses to just not cut)
2. Force Duke and Mesenbrink to basically drop weight they added when the season started (one of the most annoying things in the world to do I imagine)
3. Kick a 2x 3rd placer out of the lineup

The more I think about it, the incremental points gained from Levi (let's not get it twisted, it's a huge net benefit wrestling wise and obviously Levi is beloved in the room and would be around anyways) really might not be worth this level of disruption.

 

[Bob_Anderson]

Further, Kilaru emphasized that the return of former college athletes to college sports would mean that “thousands” of eligible college athletes “would be displaced” on rosters or at least lose playing time.

This might be more relevant to PSU wrestling than anyone else. Levi coming back would:
1. Either bump a 2x finalist out of the line up (if he chooses to just not cut)
2. Force Duke and Mesenbrink to basically drop weight they added when the season started (one of the most annoying things in the world to do I imagine)
3. Kick a 2x 3rd placer out of the lineup

The more I think about it, the incremental points gained from Levi (let's not get it twisted, it's a huge net benefit wrestling wise and obviously Levi is beloved in the room and would be around anyways) really might not be worth this level of disruption.

That's been my opinion all along. Levi had his time and from the outside looking in, the disruption may not be worth it.

 

[Corby2]

Now Mike Dewine gets involved with an executive order saying all 2022 HS athletes who played 4 straight have eligibility in Ohio. This is becoming a mess. At this point 2022 guys sorry but the show must go on

https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2026/10/dewine-signs-executive-order-addressing-college-athlete-eligibility.html

 

[HikeNatParks]

The more I think about it, the incremental points gained from Levi (let's not get it twisted, it's a huge net benefit wrestling wise and obviously Levi is beloved in the room and would be around anyways) really might not be worth this level of disruption.

Agreed. Cranky, robed judges or not, Levi ain’t leavin’ the room anytime soon. And I rather enjoy the increasingly rare fact that this absolute stud’s knockout NCAA placements (2-1-3-1) started a year after his HS prom and ended as a 21-year-old. We may not see a younger timeline of greatness ever again.

 

[Joejitsu]

1. Would love to have3 Levi back. That just makes us harder to beat and pushes some of our great young guys down the road a little making us harder to beat for a long time to come.

2. We are in good hands with or without Levi. Mitch or PJ or Henckel or whoever mans that spot is and will be a national title contender no matter how we slice it.

3. Cael has a plan!

 

[Efejle]

Well my sources were wrong . Oh well

 

[vhsalum]

Well my sources were wrong . Oh well

They weren't wrong. Everything was leaning towards the plaintiffs/athletes - until this. This group of judges are the single most antagonistic I've seen through the myriad of lawsuits against the NCAA.

They seem especially pissed that the courts are being used for anti-trust, but the plaintiffs don't have "numbers."

Because I'm sure the NCAA is just JUMPING to get discovery to these guys by.... well, never.

 

[BaccaFarmer]

That's been my opinion all along. Levi had his time and from the outside looking in, the disruption may not be worth it.

Mark Hall on line 2

 

[King of Poland II]

Mark Hall on line 2

Holding for “Cenzo,” line 3….

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[tullfan68]

Now Mike Dewine gets involved with an executive order saying all 2022 HS athletes who played 4 straight have eligibility in Ohio. This is becoming a mess. At this point 2022 guys sorry but the show must go on

https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2026/10/dewine-signs-executive-order-addressing-college-athlete-eligibility.html

LOL when I was in high school in the late 60s and we played Ohio teams in football all there guys looked like they were in there mid 20s!

 

[vhsalum]

Tom Ryan is such a clown.

 

[tullfan68]

so what they still wont beat PSU!

 

[amattaro]

“Sweet recognition” - 2020 National Champions Luke Pletcher and Kollin Moore

 

[Corby2]

Tom Ryan is such a clown.

He's been listed on Track the whole time as well lol

 

[Lyons212]

Is Mendez enrolled as a student?

 

[PSU Mike]

So Tom could use Mendez to win a home dual and place higher at B1Gs if he wishes, with a guy that can’t wrestle NCAAs?

 

[Corby2]

So Tom could use Mendez to win a home dual and place higher at B1Gs if he wishes, with a guy that can’t wrestle NCAAs?

The issue is the NCAA could still make them FF all the duals he wrestles in. Most football teams haven't played guys yet who were court ordered to be eligible.

 

[PSU Mike]

The issue is the NCAA could still make them FF all the duals he wrestles in. Most football teams haven't played guys yet who were court ordered to be eligible

 

[hohmadw1978]

After speaking with Levi for a few minutes at a practice in September about getting a fifth year, he was ok with what ever decision was made. He enjoys working and training with the NLWC and his wife and him like the area.

 

[pawrstlersinpa]

Is Mendez enrolled as a student?

Wait, the new NCAA world requires enrollment to be eligible to compete? Seems pretty restrictive.

 

[McScoreley]

The issue is the NCAA could still make them FF all the duals he wrestles in. Most football teams haven't played guys yet who were court ordered to be eligible.

Little Rock tried the "let's just wrestle him anyways" It doesn't work

 

[PSU Mike]

Little Rock tried the "let's just wrestle him anyways" It doesn't work

Pfffff, that’s Little Rock. We talkin’ The Ahia State University here. If they break the rules Kent State likely loses their team.

 

[Nitlion1986]

Pfffff, that’s Little Rock. We talkin’ The Ahia State University here. If they break the rules Kent State likely loses their team.

The NCAA could decide to make an example with Ohio State. The 38th kid on the OSU roster may have to forfeit his roster spot.

 

[Matter7172]

LOL when I was in high school in the late 60s and we played Ohio teams in football all there guys looked like they were in there mid 20s!

True story. When I was in 8th grade, I went to watch the 9th grade football team from our junior high play against one of the junior high schools from Harrisburg. I decided to sit on the away side to see what it was like. I'm sitting there and at one point, a little kid with a woman yells out after a good play by the Harrisburg team - "Daddy!".

 

[HOA242n!]

True story. When I was in 8th grade, I went to watch the 9th grade football team from our junior high play against one of the junior high schools from Harrisburg. I decided to sit on the away side to see what it was like. I'm sitting there and at one point, a little kid with a woman yells out after a good play by the Harrisburg team - "Daddy!".

I went to high school with a girl who got pregnant our junior year...by a 6th grader.

 

[Corby2]

 

[The Pitchfork Rebel]

Who to hate more? The politician or the cartel?

 

[gslachta]

I went to high school with a girl who got pregnant our junior year...by a 6th grader.

In Texas that 6th grader could be 22!

 

[HOA242n!]

In Texas that 6th grader could be 22!

No different here in Utah. I have a 6th grader, he just turned 11, but several of his friends/classmates are 13+. The Bassett academic plan is everywhere.

All jokes aside, in my anecdote the father was 12 and mama was 16.

 

[vhsalum]

No different here in Utah. I have a 6th grader, he just turned 11, but several of his friends/classmates are 13+. The Bassett academic plan is everywhere.

All jokes aside, in my anecdote the father was 12 and mama was 16.

 

[mh-larch]

Further, Kilaru emphasized that the return of former college athletes to college sports would mean that “thousands” of eligible college athletes “would be displaced” on rosters or at least lose playing time.

This might be more relevant to PSU wrestling than anyone else. Levi coming back would:
1. Either bump a 2x finalist out of the line up (if he chooses to just not cut)
2. Force Duke and Mesenbrink to basically drop weight they added when the season started (one of the most annoying things in the world to do I imagine)
3. Kick a 2x 3rd placer out of the lineup

The more I think about it, the incremental points gained from Levi (let's not get it twisted, it's a huge net benefit wrestling wise and obviously Levi is beloved in the room and would be around anyways) really might not be worth this level of disruption.

Agree......I don't want to see any younger wrestlers displaced. Levi and others had their 4 years, that's enough.