I could see a 1-year transfer (ala Truax) coming in at 197 for 2024-25, assuming such a guy is out there, which I have not checked. Would give Mirasola a redshirt year, rather than throwing him in the lineup immediately. Cochran is a nice backup, but suspect the staff would look for an upgrade. If no transfer, Cochran may begin the season as starter, possibly replaced by Mirasola in 2025 if he shows sufficient progress.
If Starocci does not return, Facundo seems the obvious replacement, assuming he can effectively handle the bump up from. 165. Suspect that the staff would prefer to redshirt Ryder.
Agreed that the coaches will likely want to at least have another 197 compete with Cochran. Perhaps Cochran turns out to be a good starter, just not sure the coaches will want to rely on that -- unless they think Mirasola is ready now.
Cardenas from Cornell would make a ton of sense if he's graduating and wants to use his remaining eligibility. He's a JR and just finished 4th.
Other JRs:
- Beard -- unlikely
- Buchanan (Oklahoma) -- 3x AA, 2x 3rd
- Elam (Missouri) -- 4x AA, 5-4-3-6, unlikely to leave
- Glazier -- unlikely to leave unless Brands gets Ford Focus in
- Luke Stout (Princeton) -- 3x NQ, not sure if graduating yet. Family knows Cael after Kellan wrestled for PSU.
- Hopkins (Campbell) -- 2x NQ
- Surber (OKST) -- 3x NQ, unlikely to leave
- Shaw (N. Carolina) -- 3x NQ. I doubt he leaves, but he is from PA.
- Stemmet (Stanford) -- 3x NQ
- Smith (VT) -- 2x NQ
- Mitchell (Buffalo) -- 1x NQ, went 1-2
- Braunagle (Illinois) -- 4x NQ, 2x R12. Shirting this year.
Most of these guys are not clear upgrades over Cochran and would only be useful as additional competition.