Revisiting 2019's Team Recruiting Rankings
Yesterday, InterMat released one of the most popular features on the site. The yearly re-ranking of a recruiting class - five years later (2019). In a normal situation, that would account for most wrestlers in that particular year’s career.
Today, we’re looking at it from a team standpoint. Instead of re-ranking the classes by team - which could fall closely in line with the individual rankings, we’re reviewing how the top 20 team’s classes panned out - or didn’t.
An all-time recruiting class like Penn State’s 2014 group (Nolf, Nickel, Nevills, Rasheed, Cassar) can kind of cloud your expectations of what a good recruiting class should look like. Even for a power program, getting two All-Americans and another multi-time national qualifier or two is a very good haul. Repeat that every year and you’re cooking!
As you can see below, even with a handful of top-100 or even top-50 recruits - success on the mat, at the next level isn’t guaranteed.
Below are the 2019 team recruiting rankings from MatScouts’ Willie Saylor, along with the key recruits for each team and some analysis of how each class actually did at the next level.
1. Ohio State
Top Recruits: #1 Greg Kerkvliet (MN), #4 Carson Kharchla (OH), #5 Jordan Decatur (OH), #32 Dylan D’Emilio (OH). #50 Isaac Wilcox (UT), HM Jacob Decatur (OH)
It’s odd looking back on this recruiting class for Ohio State. Even for a national contender like Ohio State, getting multiple All-Americans in the same year is no small feat. Carson Kharchla and Dylan D’Emilio have both gotten onto the podium once and came up a match short on one other occasion. Kharchla has also missed significant time via injury. The kicker is that Greg Kerkvliet was as good as advertised; however, he spent one semester in Columbus before transferring to Penn State. Isaac Wilcox emerged as a starter and national qualifier this year. The Decatur twins never made the national tournament and both have transferred out.
2. Arizona State
Top Recruits: #2 Cohlton Schultz (CO), #7 Julian Chlebove (PA), #35 Trey Munoz (CA), #44 Adam Busiello (NY), #58 Nick Raimo (NJ), HM Zane Coleman (OK), HM Cleveland Belton (CA)
Transfer: Kyle Parco (CA/Fresno State)
When it was all said and done, this might be the best recruiting class from 2019. Cohlton Schultz made an impact from the moment he arrived and earned All-American honors four times and has made multiple Greco World teams. The Sun Devils lost Trey Munoz and Cleveland Belton to rival Oregon State, but added four-time All-American Kyle Parco after Fresno State’s program was dropped. Julian Chlebove stuck around after sitting behind some great lightweights and had a productive 2023-24 campaign.
3. Cornell
Top Recruits: #10 Julian Ramirez (FL), #15 Jacob Cardenas (NJ), #21 Chris Foca (NJ), #61 Lewis Fernandes (NJ), #69 Mason Reiniche (TN), #78 Phillip Moomey (NE), #98 Colton Yapoujian (CO), HM JJ Wilson (PA), HM Jonathan Fagen (ID), NR Benny Baker (NY)
Along with Arizona State, Cornell has an argument for the best class of 2019, in hindsight. Focus on the top four in this class and you have the nucleus of a group that helped the Big Red to back-to-back NCAA team trophies. Julian Cardenas and Chris Foca have both wrestled in the NCAA third-place bout, while Julian Ramirez has put together two seasons that have led to a top-four seed, despite still seeking his first All-American honor. He and Lewis Fernandes have currently topped out in the bloodround. Ramirez has a pair of EIWA titles, while Cardenas and Foca both have one. Even though there wasn’t much production from the remainder of the class, the top four were enough to carry the Big Red.
4. Rutgers
Top Recruits: #6 JoJo Aragona (PA), #26 Ryan Vulakh (PA), #43 Jackson Turley (VA), #64 Robert Kanniard (NJ), #81 Devon Britton (PA)
Transfer: Sammy Alvarez (NJ/NC State), Yaraslau Slavikouski (Bel/Harvard)
Traditionally, Rutgers has recruited well in-state under Scott Goodale. This was when they started venturing outside of the Garden State and frankly, the results weren’t particularly good. Jackson Turley was the only All-American from the bunch and the only one to qualify for the national tournament (x3). They quickly added Sammy Alvarez, who was seeded 10th at the 2020 Tournament that never occurred. A few years down the road, the Scarlet Knights got a year of service (and an All-American) finish from heavyweight Yaraslau Slavikouski.
5. Virginia Tech
Top Recruits: #13 Connor Brady (OH), #28 Bryce Andonian (OH), #41 Sam Latona (AL), #99 Dan Mancini (PA), HM Kolton Clark (AL), NR Andy Smith (VA)
Another option for “best recruiting class” from 2019 is Virginia Tech’s group. Excluding transfers, they are the only team that signed a pair of multiple-time All-Americans from this class with Bryce Andonian and Sam Latona. The top recruit, Connor Brady, has not been close to the NCAA podium; however, he’s qualified for four national tournaments and has been a solid contributor for Tony Robie’s team. The diamond-in-the-rough has turned out to be the local product, Andy Smith, who qualified for NCAA’s this year for a second time and advanced to the bloodround.
6. Iowa State
Top Recruits: #11 Ryan Anderson (NJ), #20 Aden Reeves (IA), #89 Julien Broderson (IA)
Transfer: Jason Kraisser (MD/Iowa State)
So, this class didn’t even get a chance to get off the ground. Ryan Anderson never enrolled at Iowa State, instead staying close to home and attending DIII Centenary, before spending a year competing for Binghamton. Aden Reeves went 0-5 as a redshirt freshman before moving along to Grand View. Julien Broderson has spent significant time in the starting lineup and possesses a winning record, but has yet to make the NCAA Tournament. Jason Kraisser joined during the 2021-22 campaign and ended up making an appearance at nationals for the Cyclones.
7. Wisconsin
Top Recruits: #23 Peter Christensen (IL), #36 Eric Barnett (WI), #48 Kyle Burwick (ND), HM Joshua Otto (WI)
Since Chris Bono was hired in March of 2018, this was his first full recruiting class at the helm in Madison. The gem of the class was in-state product Eric Barnett who was a fixture in the Badger starting lineup and a multi-time All-American. Kyle Burwick made the NCAA tournament during his first two years competing, before moving on to Nebraska. Joshua Otto has been a utility man for the Badgers, starting his career at 165 lbs and competing at 197 lbs during this past season.
8. Fresno State
Top Recruits: #12 Matthew Olguin (CA), #52 Jace Luchau (CA), #54 Ryan Reyes (CA), #71 Kyle Parco (CA), HM Christian Rodriguez (CA)
Oh, what could have been! Kyle Parco famously was a 141 lber who moved up to 149 lbs as a redshirt freshman and went on to place sixth at the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Earlier in that school year, the FSU administration announced it would be dropping wrestling, so Parco and the rest of this crew moved on. Parco is still active, but has AA’ed three more times at Arizona State. Matthew Olguin won a Pac-12 title for Oregon State and was seeded in the top ten at the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Reyes was also a national qualifier for the Beavers. It’s a shame, as there was a strong nucleus in place for Fresno State.
9. Nebraska
Top Recruits: #16 Ridge Lovett (ID), #30 Kevon Davenport (MI), #96 Isaiah Alford (NE), HM John Henrich (NE)
As you might suspect, the accomplishments from this class largely rely on Ridge Lovett. Lovett stepped into the lineup immediately, as a true freshman, and earned the 14th seed at the 2020 NCAA Tournament that was canceled. A year later, he moved up two weight classes and made the Big Ten Finals. He really had his breakthrough in 2022, with an appearance in the NCAA finals. This season he added a Big Ten crown and another All-American honor to his resume.
10. Northern Colorado
Top Recruits: #3 Andrew Alirez (CO), #57 Mosha Schwartz (CO), #60 Theorius Robison (CO)
A top-ten ranking for Northern Colorado was obviously a huge deal at the time and the way this group has turned out has been remarkable for the program, as well. Andrew Alirez was an undefeated national champion in 2023 and was the school’s first NCAA All-American under Troy Nickerson and showed it’s possible to win at UNC. Alirez also has a pair of Big 12 championships to his name. You may have forgotten, but Mosha Schwartz also made a Big 12 final and twice earned the #15 seed at nationals before transferring. While there wasn’t a large quantity of big-time contributors from this class, it certainly served its purpose and outperformed a lofty recruiting ranking.
11. Illinois
Top Recruits: #18 Lucas Byrd (OH), #39 Luke Luffman (IL)
Transfer: Edmond Ruth
A late addition to this class, Lucas Byrd, ends up carrying much of the load for the Illini as he’s been their best performer. Byrd was initially committed to Maryland, but flipped after a coaching change. He’s earned All-American honors on two occasions and will be a contender in 2024-25. Luffman missed the end of the 2023-24 season due to an injury but has been a solid contributor. Illinois picked up Edmond Ruth as a transfer and he’s been excellent. In his first year in Champaign, he was a match away from the medal stand, while he won a Big Ten title and was seventh in the country this year. The addition of Ruth puts this class into a range where only few others can match.
12. Michigan
Top Recruits: #17 Cam Amine (MI), #37 Kurt McHenry (VA), HM Cole Mattin (OH)
Like many other classes this year, how you perceive Michigan’s group is largely dependent on one wrestler. For them, it’s Cam Amine. Amine got onto the NCAA podium during his first year in the lineup, then turned in back-to-back fourth-place showings. He missed out on All-American honors this season, as he battled through various ailments for most of the year. Both Kurt McHenry and Cole Mattin saw plenty of action; however, Mattin was the only other wrestler from this group to make the national tournament (in 2023).
13. Oklahoma State
Top Recruits: #24 Reece Witcraft (OK), #25 Brevin Balmaceda (FL), #47 Daniel Manibog (TX)
This class didn’t end up working out well for the Cowboys. The only consistent starter in the group was Reece Witcraft, who took over for Daton Fix, while he was out on an Olympic Redshirt in 2020. When the Cowboys were in a bind, in 2023, Witcraft sucked down to 125 lbs and finished third in the Big 12, but was winless at nationals. While he has over 50 matches under his belt, Daniel Manibog has only appeared twice in duals for Oklahoma State.
14. Penn
Top Recruits: #19 Michael Colaiocco (NJ), #63 Lucas Revano (NJ), #85 Cole Urbas (PA), HM Nick Incontrera (NJ), HM Joey Slackman (NY), HM Gabe Miller (PA)
This is a weight class that’s value is as much symbolic as it was on the mat. This was the second full recruiting class after Roger Reina returned to the coaching ranks. It showed that Penn would be a force on the recruiting scene and typically in the mix for high-academic-minded wrestlers from the PA/NJ/NY area. That trend continues. On the mat, Michael Colaiocco, Lucas Revano, Cole Urbas, and Nick Incontrera have combined to qualify for the NCAA Tournament 13 times. Colaiocco had an EIWA title to his name and another EIWA finals appearance, while Incontera made the conference championship match, as well. Both have received top-ten seeds at nationals.
15. Lehigh
Top Recruits: #45 Jake Logan (NY), #51 Connor McGonagle (NH), #62 Edmond Ruth (PA), #68 Malyke Hines (FL), HM Nathan Haubert (PA)
This was a solid showing from Lehigh. No frills, but certainly not a bad class. Edmond Ruth didn’t wrestle an official match in a Lehigh singlet and transferred to Illinois, where he flourished. Malyke Hines has been the most consistent of this crop with four trips to nationals, an EIWA title, and an NCAA Round of 12 finish. Connor McGonagle has been perhaps the “best” wrestler of the bunch, spending the majority of the 2022-23 season ranked in the top ten; however, he hasn’t been healthy enough in the postseason to make a significant impact. McGonagle has since moved on to Virginia Tech. Jake Logan has bounced between 165 and 174, making the NCAA Tournament twice.
16. Oklahoma
Top Recruits: #56 Sam Dover (OH), #59 Jake Stiles (IL), #70 Darrien Roberts (PA), HM Talon Borror (OK), HM Josh Heindselman (OK)
This was expected to be a class that turned the tide for Oklahoma, but it never really came to be. The top two recruits never had much of an impact. The third top-100 recruit, Darrien Roberts, saw significant action in Norman, amassing a 45-33 and was the OU starter twice at the Big 12 Championship - though he never made it to Nationals. Josh Heindselman has proven to be the star of this group. He’s qualified for the NCAA Tournament four times and was a match away from All-American status this year.
17. NC State
Top Recruits: #34 Sammy Alvarez (NJ), #49 Kai Orine (MO), #72 Owen Trephan (SC), #92 Christian Knop (AL), HM Kiernan Shanahan (NY)
Despite top recruit Sammy Alvarez transferring out of Raleigh very early in the process, NC State still got good value out of this group. The star has been Kai Orine, who has placed eighth at the last two NCAA Tournaments after winning the ACC title in both seasons. Owen Trephan also captured ACC titles in 2023 and 2024. Trephan has earned top-eight seeds at the NCAA Tournament twice, though he’s yet to AA. Provided there are no transfers, Christian Knop could finally see the starting lineup on a consistent basis with Trent Hidlay finishing up in 2024.
18. North Carolina
Top Recruits: #38 Gabe Tagg (OH), #73 Max Shaw (PA), #93 Blah Dahnweih (IL)
The only one of the three top-100 recruits from this class to make the NCAA Tournament was Max Shaw - who has done it three times. Gabe Tagg transferred to South Dakota State after the 2021 campaign, while Blah Dahnweih remained with the program but did not see much mat time.
19. Northern Iowa
Top Recruits: #14 Parker Keckeisen (WI), #82 Lance Runyon (IA), HM Kyle Gollhofer (GA)
Northern Iowa’s ranking in 2019 was largely tied to signing Parker Keckeisen and how we view it in 2024 is in the same lens. Keckeisen has been everything that Doug Schwab could have imagined and more. He’s only five times in a UNI singlet and has never finished below third at the NCAA Tournament. Keckeisen finished the 2023-24 campaign as an undefeated national champion at 184 lbs, with bonus points in over 90% of his bouts. Lance Runyon has only wrestled 39 collegiate matches, due to injury, but has qualified for nationals on two occasions.
20. Northwestern
Top Recruits: #53 Troy Fisher (KS), #74 Trevor Chumbley (IL), #91 Chris Cannon (NJ)
You probably have to view this recruiting class as a pretty sizable win for Matt Storniolo and the Wildcats. None of their recruits were ranked among the top-50; however, you ended up with a multi-time All-American and two other multiple-time national qualifiers. There are a lot of schools on this list that would rather have this group than theirs. Cannon has placed seventh at nationals on two occasions, before moving on to Northwestern - Fisher and Chumbley both have had 2-2 finishes at the national tournament.
Not Ranked is Penn State. With such incredible expectations, it’s hard to rank their classes highly when they “only” have one top-ten recruit. Now that recruit turned out to be Carter Starocci, who joined the elite ranks of four-time national champions this season. Confusing matters even more is the fact that the top recruit in the entire class, Greg Kerkvliet, joined Penn State as a transfer less than a year into his freshman season. Kerkvliet has earned All-American honors four times and also was a national champion this year.
As you can see from yesterday’s feature, Starocci and Kerkvliet, we re-ranked #1 and #3 as we re-did the individual portion of the Class of 2019, which would probably give them the top overall class were we to re-rank them.
