DT Was My Favorite PSU Wrestler......But I Think I Can Say That Nolf

[PSUBluebird]

is officially ahead of DT at same point in career. DT always seemed to amaze but Nolf is WOW! The jiu jitsu things he's working into his matches is neat as hell. I trained in jiu jitsu long after my wrestling career but I would always try to come up with hybrid moves and test on my friends just like Nolf continues to do.

As long as you don't break a limb, I think you can get away with lots of jiu jitsu moves in wrestling and be quite effective.

 

[Riding Time]

..........and it's so impressive that he does it against Division I talent.

 

[PSUAllTheWay]

Nolf is a human highlight reel. The closest I've ever seen is Schalles.

 

[PSUBluebird]

Didn't get to see Schalles wrestle in person but know a couple guys who wrestled with him in college - Clarion, I heard some good stories.

 

[PSUBluebird]

..........and it's so impressive that he does it against Division I talent.

I'm not sure who else he would be doing it to?

 

[Cowbell Man]

I'm not sure who else he would be doing it to?

As opposed to HS where you dont wrestle against bonafide talent every night. Or if he was wrestling for a lower division.

It is like a man against boys, though he kinda looks like a boy.

I watched that match twice and just amazed at the absolute furious pace, that increased after the takedown. There is no one wrestling that fast, and no one can be ready for it.

 

[PSUBluebird]

I'm not sure if he was brutalizing kids in high school like he's doing now. Also, on the takedown he gave up last night, he was trying to do something with guy's foot on the single leg like trying to pinch it some how then go into some kind of funky pinning combination but lost the move and opponent kind of fell into the TD. I need to rewatch it again.

 

[johnstownsteel]

I'm not sure if he was brutalizing kids in high school like he's doing now. Also, on the takedown he gave up last night, he was trying to do something with guy's foot on the single leg like trying to pinch it some how then go into some kind of funky pinning combination but lost the move and opponent kind of fell into the TD. I need to rewatch it again.

I noticed that as well. He had something spinning in his head and was anticipating the outcome. There isn't anyone in college wrestling right now that wrestles with their head like Jason Nolf does. I honestly believe that...not just being a homer. When I wrestled, it seemed as if everything was blocked out, I couldn't remember hearing crowd noise, coaches yelling instructions...he'll when I left the mat it was almost as if the match was a dream and I couldn't remember much of what happened and when. Jason Nolf is different. You can see it in the way he wrestles. He's so in tuned with absolutely anything and everything thats going on with him, his opponent and everything around the two. Where i was looking one step ahead...he's looking 3, 4 or even 5. It's a wonderful thing to witness. There is no one in wrestling right now that I'd rather watch. No slight to Zain or Bo or anyone else on the team. To me Nolf just has an element about him that I struggle to explain but surely recognize is there.

 

[El-Jefe]

I'm not sure if he was brutalizing kids in high school like he's doing now. Also, on the takedown he gave up last night, he was trying to do something with guy's foot on the single leg like trying to pinch it some how then go into some kind of funky pinning combination but lost the move and opponent kind of fell into the TD. I need to rewatch it again.

FR/SO, not as much. Consistently winning, but not a pinball machine.

Light switched on when he lost at states to Diehl. After that, far more aggressive, really opened it up. Saw glimpses of it then -- like at the state finals vs. Barnes, when he told the ref to look for the neutral fall on the next scramble.

Even so, he's dialed it up to 11 in college.

 

[dunkej01]

I noticed that as well. He had something spinning in his head and was anticipating the outcome. There isn't anyone in college wrestling right now that wrestles with their head like Jason Nolf does. I honestly believe that...not just being a homer. When I wrestled, it seemed as if everything was blocked out, I couldn't remember hearing crowd noise, coaches yelling instructions...he'll when I left the mat it was almost as if the match was a dream and I couldn't remember much of what happened and when. Jason Nolf is different. You can see it in the way he wrestles. He's so in tuned with absolutely anything and everything thats going on with him, his opponent and everything around the two. Where i was looking one step ahead...he's looking 3, 4 or even 5. It's a wonderful thing to witness. There is no one in wrestling right now that I'd rather watch. No slight to Zain or Bo or anyone else on the team. To me Nolf just has an element about him that I struggle to explain but surely recognize is there.

Jason wrestles in the matrix .....

 

[Clarion167]

We are being spoiled. Thought that DT and Ed With a splattering of Q, Matt, Tank, Mega et. al. was the bomb. Now just wow

 

[PSUBluebird]

It's like he's playing a chess match of non-stop aggression and movement. It's really a thing of art.

 

[RoarLions1]

I, too, have been watching Jason for a while, and he's a .3-percenter (for those that understand "outliers" in a statistical sense). He flat-out has a mental gift that's unlike anyone I've ever seen. Some approach him, none (imo) are better.

It's said about kickers (in football), that they need a short memory, other-wise the angst from every miss will drive them batty (technical term). Well, Jason has no memory, nada, nichts, none at all. He's always moving, always attacking, always offensive...that takedown he just gave up, fuggetaboutit...it's in the rear-view mirror, and will not, shall not, affect his style. It is honestly a mental gift that, at his age, is extraordinary.

 

[PSUBluebird]

If I knew I could get 5-6-7 TDs for everyone I gave up, I wouldn't worry too much either especially if it is just a matter of missing a big move.

 

[Cowbell Man]

He's gone to plaid......

 

[tikk10]

I, too, have been watching Jason for a while, and he's a .3-percenter (for those that understand "outliers" in a statistical sense). He flat-out has a mental gift that's unlike anyone I've ever seen. Some approach him, none (imo) are better.

It's said about kickers (in football), that they need a short memory, other-wise the angst from every miss will drive them batty (technical term). Well, Jason has no memory, nada, nichts, none at all. He's always moving, always attacking, always offensive...that takedown he just gave up, fuggetaboutit...it's in the rear-view mirror, and will not, shall not, affect his style. It is honestly a mental gift that, at his age, is extraordinary.

Memory is a great frame for describing what he does out there, and not only because he forgot the last takedown as soon as it happened. His movement as a whole seems entirely improvised on the spot, the previous move isn't a predictor of the next move, unlike nearly everyone else following a series of memorized scripts. Consequently you can't prepare for him.

 

[dunkej01]

Memory is a great frame for describing what he does out there, and not only because he forgot the last takedown as soon as it happened. His movement as a whole seems entirely improvised on the spot, the previous move isn't a predictor of the next move, unlike nearly everyone else following a series of memorized scripts. Consequently you can't prepare for him.

Casey talked briefly about this on the coaches show....saying if you are scouting nolf , how do you prepare for him because he does what others on the 157 scene just cant.

I'm paraphrasing of course but that's the gist.

Edit...thanks roar. Yes it was Casey this week.

 

[RoarLions1]

Cody may have said it too, but Casey covered it with Jeff at last week's radio show.

 

[Cowbell Man]

Casey talked briefly about this on the coaches show....saying if you are scouting nolf , how do you prepare for him because he does what others on the 157 scene just cant.

I'm paraphrasing of course but that's the gist.

Edit...thanks roar. Yes it was Casey this week.

And another coach said they cannot reproduce the pace in practice. Until a wrestler faces him, they are largely completely unprepared. Afterwards, its not much help.

This is why I believe the only wrestler that has a chance with Nolf is Palacio. He's not on Nolf level, but is both high level funky and relentless. Not remotely as cerebral or fast but might just be enough to stay in it.

Not saying he can. Saying he's the only one in the class with a chance.

 

[johnstownsteel]

One other thing I'd like to add about Jason, EVERY (yes...straight from the spyker playbook) wrestling fan in the country is fortunate to get the opportunity to watch him wrestle. PSU fans are just more blessed because he's one of us....and not doing this against one of our own. There's absolutely no reason anyone could dislike him. He wins and he does it with class.

Loved how the ref had to remind Jason about the ankle bands. Almost childlike he looked at the ref as if it's part of the game and he failed. Lays them down in a neat orderly fashion for the next guy....

 

[Franklin_Restores_TheTradition]

If I knew I could get 5-6-7 TDs for everyone I gave up, I wouldn't worry too much either especially if it is just a matter of missing a big move.

Nolf actually baits his opponents to open it up, attack and "mix it up" by giving them slight openings - it is intentional on his part and a calculated risk to get them to mix it up, use energy and eventually be caught in the whirlwind without reserves and ability to withstand the constant assault. With Nolf, his constant offensive assault is his "best defense" as well - we saw the same thing in Nolf-IMar I last year and not even IMar could withstand the withering pace of Nolf's constant attack style (IMar did learn from that experience though and learned that he needed to control the pace of the bout and slow it down if he was going to beat Nolf).

Nolf looks nearly impossible to beat in Free because you probably would ultimately get yourself DQ'ed out of the match trying to slow the match down to a low-scoring winnable affair....in Free you have to sustain the pace of your opponents offensive attacks (i.e., carry 1/2 of the attacks) or face escalating penalty (theoretically this is also supposed to be true in Folk, but the "attacking" wrestler is rarely rewarded by the official to the extent they are supposed to be rewarded). It is virtually impossible to match the pace of attack that Nolf sets and when you fall into the trap of trying (i.e., take the bait and mix it up), you are in for a world of hurt as his opponents regularly find out including IMar in their first match last year.

 

[PSU Mike]

Our top wrestlers are so fun to watch as a group because their styles are so different coming out of the same room. Fun to see even Zain beginning to look for ways to hit the big move a la Nolf from the release or near-release from front/45.

 

[FineMaterial]

I, too, have been watching Jason for a while, and he's a .3-percenter (for those that understand "outliers" in a statistical sense). He flat-out has a mental gift that's unlike anyone I've ever seen. Some approach him, none (imo) are better.

It's said about kickers (in football), that they need a short memory, other-wise the angst from every miss will drive them batty (technical term). Well, Jason has no memory, nada, nichts, none at all. He's always moving, always attacking, always offensive...that takedown he just gave up, fuggetaboutit...it's in the rear-view mirror, and will not, shall not, affect his style. It is honestly a mental gift that, at his age, is extraordinary.

I think he has an acute memory, it's just that it doesn't cause any fear. Has anyone, besides IMAR, made it to the end of the match after taking down Jason?

 

[Franklin_Restores_TheTradition]

is officially ahead of DT at same point in career. DT always seemed to amaze but Nolf is WOW! The jiu jitsu things he's working into his matches is neat as hell. I trained in jiu jitsu long after my wrestling career but I would always try to come up with hybrid moves and test on my friends just like Nolf continues to do.

As long as you don't break a limb, I think you can get away with lots of jiu jitsu moves in wrestling and be quite effective.

IMHO, the only wrestler close to matching not only Nolf's attacking style, but the pace of his relentless attacks, is his teammate Bo "let's dance" Nickal. Both of these guys have an incredible repertoire of moves in all positions of neutral and on the mat, but what really distinguishes them is their feel for "leverage" and their "creativity" in exploiting it once they feel that leverage advantage (Nickal's pin yesterday a great example imho - he allowed Gravina to believe he had the strength advantage and that Gravina could "horse" him from the top position.....until Gravina got too high and Bo saw the opportunity, then Bo just elevated like it was a lightweight on his back and just plucked him off his back and threw him to the mat like Gravina was a rag-doll practice dummy!).

I have seen Bo show signs of getting tired when taken 3 periods though, but I have never seen Nolf show any signs of tiring, so again imho Nolf and Bo are very similar in style (and both have that very visually deceptive "lanky/sinewy monkey strength" - both are far stronger than they look because neither is ultra "thick", but both are extremely strong relative to their weight class), but Nolf has a "gas tank" like nobody I have ever seen - that's what separates him from the other dominate offensive wrestlers imho....nobody else can sustain that level of attack for a full 7 minutes like Nolf. It is "Full Metal Jacket" for the entire match whether it goes the distance or not!

 

[El-Jefe]

I, too, have been watching Jason for a while, and he's a .3-percenter (for those that understand "outliers" in a statistical sense). He flat-out has a mental gift that's unlike anyone I've ever seen. Some approach him, none (imo) are better.

Jason and DT and Cael have the shining.

 

[AldenT]

IMHO, the only wrestler close to matching not only Nolf's attacking style, but the pace of his relentless attacks, is his teammate Bo "let's dance" Nickal. Both of these guys have an incredible repertoire of moves inot all positions of neutral and on the mat, but what really distinguishes them is their feel for "leverage" and their "creativity" in exploiting it once they feel that leverage advantage (Nickal's pin yesterday a great example imho - he allowed Gravina to believe he had the strength advantage and that Gravina could "horse" him from the top position.....until Gravina got too high and Bo saw the opportunity, then Bo just elevated like it was a lightweight on his back and just plucked him off his back and threw him to the mat like Gravina was a rag-doll practice dummy!).

I have seen Bo show signs of getting tired when taken 3 periods though, but I have never seen Nolf show any signs of tiring, so again imho Nolf and Boal are very similar in style (and both have that very visually deceptive "lanky/sinewy monkey strength" - both are far stronger than they look because neither is ultra "thick", but both are extremely strong relative to their weight class), but Nolf has a "gas tank" like nobody I have ever seen - that's what separates him from the other dominate offensive wrestlers imho....nobody else can sustain that level of attack for a full 7 minutes like Nolf. It is "Full Metal Jacket" for the entire match whether it goes the distance or not!

Great post. Gravina is a house and Bo just worked him until he gave up. Incredible.

Nolf is still angry about IMar last year, and is taking it out on the field. I'd be shocked if he loses.

 

[aalion]

Not sure if this is valid or not but to me Nolf is a faster more frantic version of DT. It seemed to me that they both had the same wrestling mind - thinking ahead, combo moves, etc. but DT was smooth .... calculating .... where Nolf does similar things with pausing in between. Nolf might also have a wider variety of craziness.

 

[dunkej01]

Another ?......is DT, DT without Ed? Is ed, Ed without DT.

Then dropping down, apply the same to Neo, nickal, and ZPain.

Meaning the internal push as friends, as teammates, as competitors pushes them, pushes the team, pushes the fans interest.

That d@MN psu culture again.

 

[Franklin_Restores_TheTradition]

Not sure if this is valid or not but to me Nolf is a faster more frantic version of DT. It seemed to me that they both had the same wrestling mind - thinking ahead, combo moves, etc. but DT was smooth .... calculating .... where Nolf does similar things with pausing in between. Nolf might also have a wider variety of craziness.

Taylor not as "powerful" as Nolf or Bo imho, but probably a slightly better "technician" - one of the soundest technical wrestlers ever which is what made him look so "silky smooth" especially on the finish (i.e., he established such incredible position and leverage, once he was there - there was no "defending" the attack, there merely was surrender & mitigation such that you didn't also give up back points as well...). Magic Man every bit the technical wrestler that these guys are - maybe even more so - but lacked the outright "strength" and "power" advantage that these guys enjoy. Still say DT was the better offensive wrestler (i.e., "technician") versus Dake, but he simply lacked the strength & power to keep up with Dake's more methodical, heavy defense style.

 

[NittanyLion84]

Taylor not as "powerful" as Nolf or Bo imho, but probably a slightly better "technician" - one of the soundest technical wrestlers ever which is what made him look so "silky smooth" especially on the finish (i.e., he established such incredible position and leverage, once he was there - there was no "defending" the attack, there merely was surrender & mitigation such that you didn't also give up back points as well...). Magic Man every bit the technical wrestler that these guys are - maybe even more so - but lacked the outright "strength" and "power" advantage that these guys enjoy. Still say DT was the better offensive wrestler (i.e., "technician") versus Dake, but he simply lacked the strength & power to keep up with Dake's more methodical, heavy defense style.

I agree, though Taylor and Nolf have somewhat similar builds, Nolf appears to have a power difference in how he finishes his attacks.

 

[purescurve]

I agree, though Taylor and Nolf have somewhat similar builds, Nolf appears to have a power difference in how he finishes his attacks.

he just gets pissed

 

[NittanyLion84]

he just gets pissed

Whatever the source, you can't argue with the results.

 

[Franklin_Restores_TheTradition]

Great post. Gravina is a house and Bo just worked him until he gave up. Incredible.

Nolf is still angry about IMar last year, and is taking it out on the field. I'd be shocked if he loses.

The explosiveness and power that Bo showed in that sit-out, quarter-roll straight to exploding upward with Gravina on his shoulders was beyond impressive! Not sure that move sequece has a name, so I'm going to dub it "Superman to Cradle"! Gravina looked helpless to stop it, it happened so quick - Bo moved him around and threw him to his back like he was a practice dummy on his back!

 

[tikk10]

Heh. From Nate Colber story Centre Daily:

“Bo Nickal has a feel for every single position,” Scarlet Knighs coach Scott Goodale said. “(Gravina) got out of position and (Nickal) went head hunting and scored a fall. Good for him. That kid’s tough. If you’re going to lose, go down swinging with your best stuff. Don’t do things you shouldn’t be doing. Our kid throws a merkle. He doesn’t throw a merkle.”​

 

[a_mshaffer]

I, too, have been watching Jason for a while, and he's a .3-percenter (for those that understand "outliers" in a statistical sense). He flat-out has a mental gift that's unlike anyone I've ever seen. Some approach him, none (imo) are better.

It's said about kickers (in football), that they need a short memory, other-wise the angst from every miss will drive them batty (technical term). Well, Jason has no memory, nada, nichts, none at all. He's always moving, always attacking, always offensive...that takedown he just gave up, fuggetaboutit...it's in the rear-view mirror, and will not, shall not, affect his style. It is honestly a mental gift that, at his age, is extraordinary.

Rather say he is a QB in the Pro's where he has caught up to the speed of the game... or the game has slowed down for him.

 

[El-Jefe]

Rather say he is a QB in the Pro's where he has caught up to the speed of the game... or the game has slowed down for him.

Funny you say that -- reminds me of a story -- PSU related:

Around 15 years ago, NFL Films took some NY Giants to one of our country's major engineering wind tunnels. They had the QBs and WRs stand on opposite sides and toss the ball around, while the engineers changed the crosswind levels. Kerry Collins was the Giants starting QB then.

No matter how dramatically they changed the wind, Collins threw a perfect pass in 2 or max 3 attempts. First was a calibration throw, catchable, maybe the WR had to reach for it. 2nd might be on the numbers, or maybe slightly to either side, a little high or low, but catchable with both hands and not stretching. 3rd was on the numbers. Every time. The wind tunnel manager was stunned at how quickly and consistently Collins adjusted to those conditions.

That's where Jason is. Things change on him, he adjusts very, very quickly.

 

[ev_flores0331]

Taylor not as "powerful" as Nolf or Bo imho, but probably a slightly better "technician" - one of the soundest technical wrestlers ever which is what made him look so "silky smooth" especially on the finish (i.e., he established such incredible position and leverage, once he was there - there was no "defending" the attack, there merely was surrender & mitigation such that you didn't also give up back points as well...). Magic Man every bit the technical wrestler that these guys are - maybe even more so - but lacked the outright "strength" and "power" advantage that these guys enjoy. Still say DT was the better offensive wrestler (i.e., "technician") versus Dake, but he simply lacked the strength & power to keep up with Dake's more methodical, heavy defense style.

"A better offensive wrestler," I can see that argument, but Dake is clearly the better wrestler.

 

[El-Jefe]

Not another Taylor-Dake comparison ...

 

[SandBuff]

There have been plenty of PSU wrestlers to like lately. Nolf, DT, Retherford, Ruth, and Nickal are all worth the price of admission.

I feel the same about Nolf surpassing DT as my all time favorite wrestler. They both are constant attackers and great on their feet. Since Nolf is the one currently wrestling on BTN that gives him the edge. Nolf has the better human story for me as well. His goal was to go undefeated for 4 years like Coach Sanderson. So he was disappointed last year after the Imar loss, but I thought that was the best possible goal.

 

[James Toney]

Nolf is also my favorite wrestler to watch. I DVR'd the match last and watched it after my boys match. Anyway I was watching the Nolf match with my wife and she was like whoa that guy just took him down and he was losing 3-2. I just laughed and said that will just piss Nolf off and make things worse for the other guy. And we all know how the match ended.