weight classes. If the rumors are true and Retherford is going 149 next year, that more than likely means JG bumps to 141, JC goes 133 and Nico is at 125. That is a solid lineup for next year. My concern is Nico and Conaway are gone after next year and I do not see anyone in the pipeline for 125 and 133. I know there is Spencer Lee, but everyone wants him and he is 3 years away. It seems to me PSU needs to bring in a 125 and 133 pounder this year to redshirt and be ready to go in 2 years. Who is PSU looking at? Are there any rumors of talented kids with huge interest in PSU? The other weight classes have nice depth for the years to come, but 125 and 133 don't. I guess you can add heavyweight to the list of not having depth, but at least our heavyweight will have 4 years as oppose to our 125 & 133 graduating after next year. Thanks.
Question for Tim and the experts on recruiting for the lighter
- Thread starter cpn1sgm
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Two points. First, IMHO, it's unlikely Conaway and Gulibon bump up in weight next season. Second, Gulibon will NOT be out of eligibility after next season no matter what happens. I realize your point is that he will be at 141 so 133 would need a starter, but I don't see that being the case.
Right now there is no one in the pipeline. Just making a guess, but the more I think about it, I don't think JG goes 141 next year. I think it's going to be Moss.
I know there is a rumor about a JUCO transfer, but that guy almost got teched by Gilman this year. Give me Red next year, let him start as a true frosh at 125 - plenty of guys can do this, look at that last couple of NCAAs. Spencer the year after. You also have Suriano and Pletcher around. Maybe Taylor Lamont with the Utah connection?
If Nico goes for us next year (which I'm not completely sold will happen), I'd be very surprised if you don't see two out of Red, Suriano, Lamont and Pletcher signing with us next year. I'd have to think we will be throwing the kitchen sink at them. If Nico RSs we can live with one.
I know there is a rumor about a JUCO transfer, but that guy almost got teched by Gilman this year. Give me Red next year, let him start as a true frosh at 125 - plenty of guys can do this, look at that last couple of NCAAs. Spencer the year after. You also have Suriano and Pletcher around. Maybe Taylor Lamont with the Utah connection?
If Nico goes for us next year (which I'm not completely sold will happen), I'd be very surprised if you don't see two out of Red, Suriano, Lamont and Pletcher signing with us next year. I'd have to think we will be throwing the kitchen sink at them. If Nico RSs we can live with one.
I wouldn't hold my breath on Lamont as an immediate starter. His brother Grant was a supposed lock for PSU but instead signed with Utah Valley ... but first took a Mormon mission. If Taylor does the same, that kinda puts a crimp in any plans to start him right out of HS.
In any event, I think the coaches go hard after at least 2 lightweights in 2016. Cael likes to recruit a year ahead of need, and there are several elite 133/141 recruits next year, so it's a good time to pick up Gulibon's successor (Red and/or Suriano) plus Pletcher. Immediate need at 125 adds urgency but probably doesn't change the plan much.
In any event, I think the coaches go hard after at least 2 lightweights in 2016. Cael likes to recruit a year ahead of need, and there are several elite 133/141 recruits next year, so it's a good time to pick up Gulibon's successor (Red and/or Suriano) plus Pletcher. Immediate need at 125 adds urgency but probably doesn't change the plan much.
Do you really believe Cael would be rolling out Kade Moss while having
Jimmy or Jordan just sit out? I can't see that. I'll ask him at the Coaches Caravan, I'm sure he'll tell me. ;-)only
thing I can promise is that I won't get as scared as Christian Pyles if he challenges my question
Jimmy or Jordan just sit out? I can't see that. I'll ask him at the Coaches Caravan, I'm sure he'll tell me. ;-)only
thing I can promise is that I won't get as scared as Christian Pyles if he challenges my question
I wrote a bit about this on Saturday evening, I think ...
so many posts made during Nationals, I kind of forget which ones took place when.
In that post I indicated that there were 3 variables in the mix:
1. Is Zain moving up or not
2. will Nico qualify for an Olympic Redshirt (or use it if he qualifies)
3. what type of indications Spencer Lee may have given the PSU coaches
If Zain moves up, that does make PSU rather thin at 125, 133, and 141. Moss has 3 years of eligibility, and Gulibon has 2, so it's not as though there is an immediate need, but there aren't many other guys in the room at those weights, and it's always dangerous to be without depth at 2 weights that are next to each other. I believe the only other guys in the room that are 141 or below not mentioned above are George Carpenter and Kenneth Yanovich, both of whom wrestled 125 in Opens this season. Tristan Law is joining the program for next season, and I believe he's projected as 133/141, so he'll basically be the backup for both weights until the roster is restocked at the lower weights.
So who are the guys that we hope CS and crew are interested in, or even know they have already established a relationship? I'll list them by their current HS weight classes:
120
1. Spencer Lee - is a soph in HS. Every program in the country would be interested in fitting him into their roster. Is as good a prospect as has ever come from PA wrestling. Has attended PSU matches.
2. Nick Suriano - is a junior at Bergen Catholic, in NJ. Rated #2 (behind Lee) at 120 by Willie.
3. Jack Mueller - is a junior at Wyoming Seminary, rated #6 by Willie, but has verballed to UVA
4. Tyler Warner - is a junior at Claymont, OH. Rated #9 by Willie
5. Ty Agaisse - is a junior at Delbarton HS, in NJ. Rated #14 by Willie
there are others that would fit the bill, but I haven't listed them as they are a good distance from PA (not that that would stop CS)
126:
1. Chad Red - is a junior at New Palastine HS, in Indiana. Has attended PSU's wrestling camp for several years. Is rated #1 by Willie
2. Taylor Lamont - is a junior at Maple Mountain HS, in Utah. For reasons El-Jefe listed, it's questionable how soon he would be available to contribute
3. Luke Karam - is a junior at Bethlehem Catholic HS (Beca) in PA, and rated #8 by Willie. Alas, he's verballed to Bucknell
all of Willie's other top 20 are either seniors or are located some distance away. (I included Lamont due to CS' connections in Utah.) The only exception would be Gus Solomon, who is a soph at Franklin Regional. He's a promising target, but he's 3 years away, and who knows what weight he'll project at in college
132:
I worry about whether guys that wrestle 132 in high school can wrestle 133 in college, but some can, so I'll include them in my survey
1. Luke Pletcher - a junior at Greater Latrobe HS. Hard to imagine him putting much more muscle on his frame. Likely would be 133 or at most 141 in college. Willie has him as the top underclassman, at #4
2. George Mickey Phillippi - a junior at Derry Area HS. He won PIAA Class AAs this year, and looked good doing so. Willie has him at #5
most of Willie's remaining top 20 are seniors or sophomores. The seniors I believe have all signed or verballed, and the sophs are 3 years away so their ultimate college weight projection remains to be seen.
Chad Red seems to be the above name that most feel PSU is in the best shape with. Nico 3 years ago, and Moisey this year, showed that a true freshman can have a lot of success in college at 125. From just looking at pictures and video, I do worry as to whether Red can make 125 all thru college, but I could be mistaken.
Suriano and Pletcher are names that have been mentioned a good bit over the past few years, and each would be a great pickup for PSU. Only issue with Pletcher is he's unlikely to make 125 in college, so he would be more of a long-term replacement for Gulibon or Moss.
Phillippi hasn't been mentioned a lot with PSU, but that's probably an oversight on our part. Like Pletcher, he's likely more of a long-term replacement for Gulibon or Moss.
And then there is Mr. Lee, who will likely start at as a true freshman no matter where he goes. His family and he have been rather smart about not giving any indications about his college plans.
I think CS and his staff can field an excellent team with pretty much any combination of the above names, provided 1 of them can make 125 for at least a few years. It will be fun for us as fans to see how this plays out.
Tom
so many posts made during Nationals, I kind of forget which ones took place when.
In that post I indicated that there were 3 variables in the mix:
1. Is Zain moving up or not
2. will Nico qualify for an Olympic Redshirt (or use it if he qualifies)
3. what type of indications Spencer Lee may have given the PSU coaches
If Zain moves up, that does make PSU rather thin at 125, 133, and 141. Moss has 3 years of eligibility, and Gulibon has 2, so it's not as though there is an immediate need, but there aren't many other guys in the room at those weights, and it's always dangerous to be without depth at 2 weights that are next to each other. I believe the only other guys in the room that are 141 or below not mentioned above are George Carpenter and Kenneth Yanovich, both of whom wrestled 125 in Opens this season. Tristan Law is joining the program for next season, and I believe he's projected as 133/141, so he'll basically be the backup for both weights until the roster is restocked at the lower weights.
So who are the guys that we hope CS and crew are interested in, or even know they have already established a relationship? I'll list them by their current HS weight classes:
120
1. Spencer Lee - is a soph in HS. Every program in the country would be interested in fitting him into their roster. Is as good a prospect as has ever come from PA wrestling. Has attended PSU matches.
2. Nick Suriano - is a junior at Bergen Catholic, in NJ. Rated #2 (behind Lee) at 120 by Willie.
3. Jack Mueller - is a junior at Wyoming Seminary, rated #6 by Willie, but has verballed to UVA
4. Tyler Warner - is a junior at Claymont, OH. Rated #9 by Willie
5. Ty Agaisse - is a junior at Delbarton HS, in NJ. Rated #14 by Willie
there are others that would fit the bill, but I haven't listed them as they are a good distance from PA (not that that would stop CS)
126:
1. Chad Red - is a junior at New Palastine HS, in Indiana. Has attended PSU's wrestling camp for several years. Is rated #1 by Willie
2. Taylor Lamont - is a junior at Maple Mountain HS, in Utah. For reasons El-Jefe listed, it's questionable how soon he would be available to contribute
3. Luke Karam - is a junior at Bethlehem Catholic HS (Beca) in PA, and rated #8 by Willie. Alas, he's verballed to Bucknell
all of Willie's other top 20 are either seniors or are located some distance away. (I included Lamont due to CS' connections in Utah.) The only exception would be Gus Solomon, who is a soph at Franklin Regional. He's a promising target, but he's 3 years away, and who knows what weight he'll project at in college
132:
I worry about whether guys that wrestle 132 in high school can wrestle 133 in college, but some can, so I'll include them in my survey
1. Luke Pletcher - a junior at Greater Latrobe HS. Hard to imagine him putting much more muscle on his frame. Likely would be 133 or at most 141 in college. Willie has him as the top underclassman, at #4
2. George Mickey Phillippi - a junior at Derry Area HS. He won PIAA Class AAs this year, and looked good doing so. Willie has him at #5
most of Willie's remaining top 20 are seniors or sophomores. The seniors I believe have all signed or verballed, and the sophs are 3 years away so their ultimate college weight projection remains to be seen.
Chad Red seems to be the above name that most feel PSU is in the best shape with. Nico 3 years ago, and Moisey this year, showed that a true freshman can have a lot of success in college at 125. From just looking at pictures and video, I do worry as to whether Red can make 125 all thru college, but I could be mistaken.
Suriano and Pletcher are names that have been mentioned a good bit over the past few years, and each would be a great pickup for PSU. Only issue with Pletcher is he's unlikely to make 125 in college, so he would be more of a long-term replacement for Gulibon or Moss.
Phillippi hasn't been mentioned a lot with PSU, but that's probably an oversight on our part. Like Pletcher, he's likely more of a long-term replacement for Gulibon or Moss.
And then there is Mr. Lee, who will likely start at as a true freshman no matter where he goes. His family and he have been rather smart about not giving any indications about his college plans.
I think CS and his staff can field an excellent team with pretty much any combination of the above names, provided 1 of them can make 125 for at least a few years. It will be fun for us as fans to see how this plays out.
Tom
Re: I wrote a bit about this on Saturday evening, I think ...
Another 126 who might make sense is PA AA champ Jonathan Gabriel from Bedford. He has been nationally ranked in the past and is today probably a borderline national top 100 recruit for 2016. He had a nice run at Hershey, so he may appear in the rankings with a good showing in offseason tourneys.
He was in constant attack mode in the state finals, something the coaches look for. But ... will he outgrow 125? He was taller than his finals opponent and looks like he could put on a little more weight.
I think the main reason few Penn Staters talk about Phillippi is his style. He generates too many 2-0, 3-1 type wins for someone with his obvious talent. He's more of a counter wrestler on feet, and he especially seems to prefer riding on top instead of scoring on top or cutting to score on feet. Of course, if the coaches want him, they know what they're doing. Also, he was quite a bit taller than Korbin Myers, so I think he'll be a college 141 or maybe 149.
Another 126 who might make sense is PA AA champ Jonathan Gabriel from Bedford. He has been nationally ranked in the past and is today probably a borderline national top 100 recruit for 2016. He had a nice run at Hershey, so he may appear in the rankings with a good showing in offseason tourneys.
He was in constant attack mode in the state finals, something the coaches look for. But ... will he outgrow 125? He was taller than his finals opponent and looks like he could put on a little more weight.
I think the main reason few Penn Staters talk about Phillippi is his style. He generates too many 2-0, 3-1 type wins for someone with his obvious talent. He's more of a counter wrestler on feet, and he especially seems to prefer riding on top instead of scoring on top or cutting to score on feet. Of course, if the coaches want him, they know what they're doing. Also, he was quite a bit taller than Korbin Myers, so I think he'll be a college 141 or maybe 149.
lol, good point about Phillippi ...
during States I thought to myself that he remindeded me of Tshirt -- amazing talent but not inclined to initiate a lot of action.
Gabriel is one to keep in consideration. He's a Young Guns member. I believe he's 5' 6". From what I've read, he thinks he'll be 125 in college, but he would be on the tall side if he is that height, and wrestled 125 in college. I didn't include him in my post, as I was limiting things to Willie's Top 20.
Good stuff, as always, El-Jefe.
Tom
This post was edited on 3/25 11:19 AM by Tom McAndrew
during States I thought to myself that he remindeded me of Tshirt -- amazing talent but not inclined to initiate a lot of action.
Gabriel is one to keep in consideration. He's a Young Guns member. I believe he's 5' 6". From what I've read, he thinks he'll be 125 in college, but he would be on the tall side if he is that height, and wrestled 125 in college. I didn't include him in my post, as I was limiting things to Willie's Top 20.
Good stuff, as always, El-Jefe.
Tom
This post was edited on 3/25 11:19 AM by Tom McAndrew
It would seem they might have to. If Nico is at 125 and Zain actually stays @141, wouldn't one of them be the odd man out @ 133? Gulibon is a contender @ 133, but are you saying in this scenario he goes up to 149? Not trying to flame, but am I missing something?
I agree with this. Maybe Moss did improve a bit, but the bottom line is that he went 0-2 in the Big Ten Tourney and failed to qualify.
If we're looking to get our best 10 on the mat, you don't sit an AA (Conaway), + Beitz who is very close to becoming an AA, for a NQer.
I am making the assumption Zain is at 49. If Nico goes at 125 there is no way cael sits Jimmy or Jordan for Moss. I am sure cael would prefer Nico have an Olympic redshirt, Jordan, Jimmy and Zain at 125, 133, 141 but that may not be possible. There are a lot of questions about who and where everyone will be next season
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