We lost a certain 3 time All American, who finished in 2nd place last year, to a shocking transfer, that was a complete and total anomaly: There is no program in the nation that could have possibly replaced that wrestler with an upper classman, sure fire All American. None. On top of that, we lost our 133 pounder to injury, as well as his decision to move up in weight. The fact that we netted 12 points last year, while losing a sophomore and a junior who were both figuring to be on the podium, while using a true freshman at 141, is a minor miracle. Those factors were bound to affect next seasons' team also.
So, we went out and got the #1 133 pound recruit in the nation, and supplemented him with the #3 and #6 ranked 125 pound recruits in the nation, for this season. The miracles that Cael pulled off to counter these two incredible strokes of bad luck, continue to amaze me. I have zero problem going with freshmen next season at 125 and 133. The others will bring in their transfers and guess what? The best wrestlers will go on the mat and they will win, regardless of underclassman or upperclassman status.
Ask Bryce Meredith and Nato about how much those 4 years of seniority mattered last season. Hell, ask IMar, or Bo Jordan.