PSU 2014 - Best recruiting class ever?

[GogglesPaizano]

If not the best I would like details on where/when was there one that was better? 7 national champions, 12 AAs, 4 straight team titles, simply amazing.

One other minor thing is for sure - Cassar is no longer an "other"!!!!!

Here is what Flo said back then

#1-Penn State Nittany Lions5-Year Cycle: #6, #18, #4, #3
Ranked Recruits:
#1-Jason Nolf, PA (165)
#1-Nick Nevills, CA (HWT)
#2-Bo Nickal, TX (184)
#7-Corey Rasheed, NY (174)
#16-Gary Dinmore, NJ (157)
Others: Jordan Pagano, NJ (157); Kyle Baker, PA (157); Anthony Cassar, NJ (197)

It goes without saying that there are no ‘sure things’ in wrestling recruiting. But Nolf, Nevills, and Nickal are high character kids who live the sport and have their priorities in line off the mat.

 

[matter7172]

And Cassar is probably the ultimate rejoinder to "Cael can't coach" arguments.

 

[nitlion6]

And Cassar is probably the ultimate rejoinder to "Cael can't coach" arguments.

Two birds

HR's "can't" coach
and
Jazzie's never "coached" a heavyweight champ

With one "Anthony Cassar" stone

Tough week for the peanuts in the gallery

 

[El-Jefe]

And Cassar is probably the ultimate rejoinder to "Cael can't coach" arguments.

James English was the original counter argument. Cassar is a great reminder -- and harder for the haters to ignore..

 

[tikk10]

James English was the original counter argument. Cassar is a great reminder -- and harder for the haters to ignore..

Cassar also eliminated a major Jammenz' talking point here, relegating him to disingenuous statistics about dual meet records and a tournament that no longer exists.

 

[grappler6]

Jammen will now just bring up that Carl made a horrible decision benching a future national champ(Cassar) for Rasheed as evidence why he is a bad coach. U gotta think one step ahead.


In all seriousness I thought that was the wrong decision at the time and this does provide further evidence.

 

[nitlion6]

Jammen will now just bring up that Carl made a horrible decision benching a future national champ(Cassar) for Rasheed as evidence why he is a bad coach. U gotta think one step ahead.


In all seriousness I thought that was the wrong decision at the time and this does provide further evidence.

Kind of tough to argue the decision when aware there was a wrestle-off won by Rasheed.
Of course, facts, smacks or jacks jamming jazz needs none to make statements.

 

[jrd23psu]

Jammen will now just bring up that Carl made a horrible decision benching a future national champ(Cassar) for Rasheed as evidence why he is a bad coach. U gotta think one step ahead.


In all seriousness I thought that was the wrong decision at the time and this does provide further evidence.

What was wrong about it? Even with the benefit of hindsight we can see that it worked out perfectly. PSU won the national championship last year over tOSU. A championship where PSU was the underdog going into the tournament. PSU also won the title this year and Cassar won an individual title.

Where exactly is the mistake here?

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Two birds

HR's "can't" coach
and
Jazzie's never "coached" a heavyweight champ

With one "Anthony Cassar" stone

Tough week for the peanuts in the gallery

Then there’s the equivalent Top 10 recruits like Bull vs Nolf and Nickal and their respective first 2 years. Winning NCs even as a top recruit is not plug and play

 

[nitlion6]

Then there’s the equivalent Top 10 recruits like Bull vs Nolf and Nickal and their respective first 2 years. Winning NCs even as a top recruit is not plug and play

Yeah, but now you are using informative facts needing cognitive processing. Cassar is more like the proverbial 2x4 over the head. For the sake of HR, simple is a must.

 

[Rhino80]

Obviously Cassar got good due to PED's just ask HR. DT uses a guys Nutrition Plan + Dillishaw tests positive for steroids while training at the guys gym = All of PSU is doping. Makes total sense.

 

[grappler6]

What was wrong about it? Even with the benefit of hindsight we can see that it worked out perfectly. PSU won the national championship last year over tOSU. A championship where PSU was the underdog going into the tournament. PSU also won the title this year and Cassar won an individual title.

Where exactly is the mistake here?

Did u really just refer to Penn State as an underdog?

I mean cassar did beat the one seed and would have had a chance to win it all at 197.

Anyone who has been around wrestling understands that wrestleoffs between two guys familiar with each other are not always the most telling.

Obviously both were talented options, I was just surprised Rasheed got the nod and still am.

 

[midniteride]

Did u really just refer to Penn State as an underdog?

I mean cassar did beat the one seed and would have had a chance to win it all at 197.

Anyone who has been around wrestling understands that wrestleoffs between two guys familiar with each other are not always the most telling.

Obviously both were talented options, I was just surprised Rasheed got the nod and still am.

If you will remember back at that point Rasheed was pinning almost everyone he wrestled. The real genius portion of the story is sending Cassar out against Moore in that dual (injuries aside).

 

[McScoreley]

I'll be honest ... sounds like Shak was beating Cassar in the room last year in addition to having more bonus potential as well with the cradle. Kind of shocking cause Shak seemed to struggle against Kollin Moore, who is a bigger 197 and Cassar is very similar to that. He also lost to Conel early in the season (before he caught fire at NCAAs also) Wonder if Moore was just in his head more than anything.

I love Shak ... I bet if we knew the full story of the injury (which we never will), we'd be thinking, wow this kid should have sat out the entire season. That being said, it's been said here before but he might not handle pressure as well as other wrestlers on the team. It was apparent when he stepped out on the mat for B1Gs last year and he couldn't bonus Kleimola and Chakonis and was visibly frustrated when he couldn't. Then his 3rd period against Mach (he had that match won against the eventual champ) Both times at B1Gs and NCAAs against Kollin Moore, he didn't seem like he wanted to attack Moore at all. Needless to say, his matches against Moore always had huge team implications. Cassar on the other hand seems to LOVE when the spotlight is on him and it's for all the marbles. He was hurt this year at Nationals but both his losses were a result of him overthinking I think more than actually being injured (though his injury definitely affected his ability to put himself in an even bigger lead)

It's easier said than done but I hope Shak comes back next year and he is able to relax some. He has all the talent in the world to win a national title.

 

[eddy line]

Did u really just refer to Penn State as an underdog?

I mean cassar did beat the one seed and would have had a chance to win it all at 197.

Anyone who has been around wrestling understands that wrestleoffs between two guys familiar with each other are not always the most telling.

Obviously both were talented options, I was just surprised Rasheed got the nod and still am.

Ohio State won the Big10 last year, and Nolf was something of a question mark going into NCAAs because of his knee injury, so, yes, PSU was an underdog.

Maybe, just maybe, Cassar should have gotten the NCAA nod at 197 last year. We'll never know how that would have worked out, though Rasheed did AA. It's also possible Cael got one wrong. It happens.

 

[dunkej01]

Jammen will now just bring up that Carl made a horrible decision benching a future national champ(Cassar) for Rasheed as evidence why he is a bad coach. U gotta think one step ahead.


In all seriousness I thought that was the wrong decision at the time and this does provide further evidence.

Carl"....did you type that in your HR voice?

 

[ptomaselli]

If not the best I would like details on where/when was there one that was better? 7 national champions, 12 AAs, 4 straight team titles, simply amazing.

One other minor thing is for sure - Cassar is no longer an "other"!!!!!

Here is what Flo said back then

#1-Penn State Nittany Lions5-Year Cycle: #6, #18, #4, #3
Ranked Recruits:
#1-Jason Nolf, PA (165)
#1-Nick Nevills, CA (HWT)
#2-Bo Nickal, TX (184)
#7-Corey Rasheed, NY (174)
#16-Gary Dinmore, NJ (157)
Others: Jordan Pagano, NJ (157); Kyle Baker, PA (157); Anthony Cassar, NJ (197)

It goes without saying that there are no ‘sure things’ in wrestling recruiting. But Nolf, Nevills, and Nickal are high character kids who live the sport and have their priorities in line off the mat.

If it isn't the best class, I'd like to see what is.

Heck, Dinmore & Pagano transferred out and started at Rider & Rutgers respectively, right?

Absolutely incredible class.

 

[Dogwelder]

Carl"....did you type that in your HR voice?

Can we get Tim Cook to teach Siri and Apple’s autocorrect to recognize “Cael” ? I read that Celine Dion got him to teach Siri to pronounce her name.

 

[Dogwelder]

If it isn't the best class, I'd like to see what is ...

Tie. 1996. Jerry West and the Lakers got Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Robert Horry in the same season.

 

[McScoreley]

Tie. 1996. Jerry West and the Lakers got Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Robert Horry in the same season.

Kobe and Shaq only got 3

 

[Lyons212]

What was wrong about it? Even with the benefit of hindsight we can see that it worked out perfectly. PSU won the national championship last year over tOSU. A championship where PSU was the underdog going into the tournament. PSU also won the title this year and Cassar won an individual title.

Where exactly is the mistake here?

Last year Shak scored 8.5 points, PSU won by 7. Last year Cassar was not a bonus machine, no guarantee PSU wins it last year if Cassar as at 197 instead of Shak.

 

[Dogwelder]

Can we get Tim Cook to teach Siri and Apple’s autocorrect to recognize “Cael” ? I read that Celine Dion got him to teach Siri to pronounce her name.

Well, the article was wrong. I just had Siri read my post, and Siri still says Celine Dion’s name wrong. Sorry Carl, Tim can’t help you.

 

[psu_flip]

Marsteller and Haines, 2 PIAA 4 timers, were originally part of that PSU class that year. I remember being bummed when they decommitted.

 

[McScoreley]

Super bummed Haines never AA'ed but I'll never forget when he pinned the Rutgers heavyweight to get Lock Haven the dual win over Rutgers as the announcer chanted "L! H! U!"

Willing to bet he won't forget that moment ever.

 

[grappler6]

Carl"....did you type that in your HR voice?

Haha no honest autocorrect issue. I respect Cael.

Also to be clear, it wasn’t an easy decision and neither were really a bad choice. Again I just would have went with Cassar. Nothing vindictive.

 

[lockhavenlion3]

Haha no honest autocorrect issue. I respect Cael.

Also to be clear, it wasn’t an easy decision and neither were really a bad choice. Again I just would have went with Cassar. Nothing vindictive.

when you coach a team to 8 national championships in 9 years, we may agree you might be right.

 

[McScoreley]

It's easy to say now but almost nothing based on last years results said Cassar should have gotten the nod over Rasheed. I will admit definitely wanting to go with Cassar after he beat Moore in the dual at first. Showed he could beat (at the time) the best at the weight and handle massive pressure but to base it on one match is not Cael's style and his decision completely made sense.

Rasheed ...
Won the wrestle offs
Possessed a bonus rate of about 70% to Cassar's under 30
Had double digit falls by January to Cassar's none

 

[El-Jefe]

It's also possible Cael got one wrong. It happens.

TFW you win team titles anyway.

 

[86PSUPaul]

It's easy to say now but almost nothing based on last years results said Cassar should have gotten the nod over Rasheed. I will admit definitely wanting to go with Cassar after he beat Moore in the dual at first. Showed he could beat (at the time) the best at the weight and handle massive pressure but to base it on one match is not Cael's style and his decision completely made sense.

Rasheed ...
Won the wrestle offs
Possessed a bonus rate of about 70% to Cassar's under 30
Had double digit falls by January to Cassar's none

Plus Anthony lost a head scratcher early in the season to Bucknell I believe where he was ridden and could not get out.

 

[matter7172]

Plus Anthony lost a head scratcher early in the season to Bucknell I believe where he was ridden and could not get out.

Yes. To Hoffman. The rumblings at the time were that it was a weight management issue, which might have played a part in the decision at 197.

 

[McScoreley]

Ultimately you have to imagine with the team race last year expected to come down to the wire that Cael was focused on tournament scoring. Even if Cassar was better equipped to beat Kollin Moore, Rasheed's ability shown at the Scuffle to pick up pins was huge. Also, Rasheed never had a chance to wrestle Kollin before he got the nod. Moore was very similar stylistically to Anthony so Cael likely was thinking, hey if he can beat Anthony in a wrestleoff, he can beat Moore.

It's truly insane to think less than 18 months ago, Cassar lost to an 184 pounder basically in a match he was stuck on bottom. Any speculation who our next Cassar might be? An unheralded raw talent who we basically get to walk on and becomes a champ.Will we see another one even?

 

[jack66]

Last year Cassar had 5 major decisions. Rasheed had 7 MDs, 1 TF and 12 Falls.

I suspect that factored into Cael's decision.

 

[nitlion6]

The staff had a very difficult decision last year. There was a strong belief Cassar could win nationals last year. They were also watching Rasheed wrestle great. He was turning and pinning people, against Iowa while looking like he was maybe running low on gas he broke through the fatigue to major Wilke and he was wrestling equal to or maybe a hair better than Cassar in the room.

By the Buffalo match the belief was Cassar was probably good enough to win nationals, but Rasheed had answered every situation and earned the spot.

So far the call has worked out fairly well. Shak played an important role in PSU winning last year's title and I doubt anybody would ignore last year's denied opportunity as a very important role in AC's drive to success this year.

 

[The Japanese Whizzer]

Marsteller and Haines, 2 PIAA 4 timers, were originally part of that PSU class that year. I remember being bummed when they decommitted.

I though Nickal was the backup plan to Marsteller and was concerned that we missed out on a generational talent. Needless to say the PSU coaches never ask for my opinion anymore, lol!

 

[Ja1339]

If not the best I would like details on where/when was there one that was better? 7 national champions, 12 AAs, 4 straight team titles, simply amazing.

One other minor thing is for sure - Cassar is no longer an "other"!!!!!

Here is what Flo said back then

#1-Penn State Nittany Lions5-Year Cycle: #6, #18, #4, #3
Ranked Recruits:
#1-Jason Nolf, PA (165)
#1-Nick Nevills, CA (HWT)
#2-Bo Nickal, TX (184)
#7-Corey Rasheed, NY (174)
#16-Gary Dinmore, NJ (157)
Others: Jordan Pagano, NJ (157); Kyle Baker, PA (157); Anthony Cassar, NJ (197)

It goes without saying that there are no ‘sure things’ in wrestling recruiting. But Nolf, Nevills, and Nickal are high character kids who live the sport and have their priorities in line off the mat.

I assume that the guys greyshirting this year won't technically be part of this year's recruiting class. But if we look at the group coming to PSU from the HS class of 2018, that includes:

Teske, RBY, Joe Lee, Beard, Brooks, Seth Nevills

Barring future commitments, I'm guessing no one would be surprised to see all 6 of them starting in 2020-21. That's a really impressive group.

 

[Dogwelder]

Marsteller and Haines, 2 PIAA 4 timers, were originally part of that PSU class that year. I remember being bummed when they decommitted.

If they’d’ve come to PSU, they might’ve only been 4-year room guys and 1-year starters. Unbelievable.

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

Bo was supposed to wrestle CMar at the DD but Chances back flared up in the late postseason.
Nickal ended up at 174 and Smith made Chance cut to 57 after Ringer left. Chance would have THRIVED at 165 here.
Side note Nevills beat Haines at the same DD, and Nolf won too.

 

[El-Jefe]

Smith made Chance cut to 57 after Ringer left. Chance would have THRIVED at 165 here.

Chandler Rogers at 165 might had something to do with Chance being at 157. If you can't win the job, how do you thrive at the weight?

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

Chandler Rogers at 165 might had something to do with Chance being at 157. If you can't win the job, how do you thrive at the weight?

True about Rodgers ICR the order of things at OSU, was Rodgers brought in before or after Chance?

My main point was that Chance was originally recruited here to be a 165, correct? Would have been a perfect fit between Jason and Bo, but Im OK with Cenzo too

 

[matter7172]

True about Rodgers ICR the order of things at OSU, was Rodgers brought in before or after Chance?

My main point was that Chance was originally recruited here to be a 165, correct? Would have been a perfect fit between Jason and Bo, but Im OK with Cenzo too

I don't know how hard Chance was recruited by Cael. I can say I was present for a couple interactions between Cael and Chance and the temperature of the interaction was much lower than that between Zain and Cael, which I saw on the same day.