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Ohio State Wrestling (2015/2017/2018 B1G Champs, 2015 National Champs, 2019 National Runners-up)

Alright, so first off, I think the McKenna transfer, combined with the Suriano transfer, means we are neck and neck with PSU now. I say this as objectively as possible, but I give us the advantage. Ryan will just need to figure out the optimum lineup...we pay him the big bucks to figure out how to play our hand when we get this many supremely talented wrestlers on the roster.

That being said, here is my best stab at it:

125: Brakan Mead (I just don't think Toms can cut back down here...if he could, our lineup would be darn near flawless but I think it is asking a lot of him...without Toms here, we don't have an NCAA qualifier unless some random transfer happens)
133: Nathan Tomasello (the clear favorite to win it this year at this weight and good depth behind him with Pletcher should he either drop down or lord forbid get injured)
141: KeShawn Hayes (can be AA caliber if healthy...hope he finally stays healthy...if not, Pletcher can fill in admirably)
149: Joey McKenna (I think he is our clear starter here and Mic bumps up...huge addition and could win it if not for some guy named Retherford...he wins one I think, just not this year...could stay at 141, just think this weight is more likely and makes more sense)
157: M. Jordan (I think he wrestles here comfortably, but falls about into the 3-4 place spot behind Nolf and Kemerer...doubt Racer beats out Mic here but Racer is awfully good and will be competing right away)
165: T. Campbell (a nice improvement at this weight but the word is that Racer might struggle to keep down at 157...his best shot might be to wrestle off with Campbell...no matter what happens, this will be a very interesting spot and no matter who wins, they will push to be an AA)
174: B. Jordan (win it this year big guy, really hope he takes out Hall this time)
184: M. Martin (barring a miracle, Myles either wins it or takes runner up to Nickal...Dean, Dudley, Brooks and Boyd are all graduated, so it is wide open for Myles should get another realistic shot at the second title, just going to be tough to take out Nickal)
197: K. Moore (anyone watching Kollin knows that he might be our next great one...he gets better each day, works his tail off and is always the aggressor...calling it now, we go back-to-back champs at 197 and heavy...Kollin should be the odds on favorite and I think he wins it unless he gets injured)
HWT: Kyle Snyder (I don't even need to comment here)

Alternative lineup I thought up if everyone really cut down and could maintain weight...probably won't happen and may not be safe in terms of cutting weight, but it would have zero holes and here it is:

125: Tomasello
133: Pletcher
141: McKenna
149: M. Jordan
157: Racer
165: Campbell
174: B. Jordan
184: Martin
197: Moore
HWT: Snyder
 
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I don't see Tomasello doing 125 again either, but we basically are AA caliber at every other weight this year, regardless of how the middles shake out.

Burcher at 157 is a possibility this year, as well. He would be solid there, if need be.
 
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I don't see Tomasello doing 125 again either, but we basically are AA caliber at every other weight this year, regardless of how the middles shake out.

Burcher at 157 is a possibility this year, as well. He would be solid there, if need be.

I am with you, too much weight to cut I think. Probably best not only for Nate, but for the team to just have him full strength at 133...we will just have to basically let 125 go and be as strong as possible everywhere else, which will be really strong. Burcher will also be solid depth as well. I don't see him taking out any of M. Jordan, Racer or Campbell, but he is not far behind Campbell/Racer at 165.
 
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I thought Racer had already left the program...

Looked around and could find nothing to that effect, let me know if you can find something. Don't know much on the kid to be honest.

Here is a podcast from Flo. Interesting that they talk like NaTo goes 125 and Pletcher goes 133, then maybe even McKenna at 141 and Hayes at 149 (some debate over maybe McKenna winning 141, then Hayes could still AA at 149...but I think it would be a wash). Not sure if they have any inside info on that, but it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Pletcher adds points for us at 133, which presumes NaTo at 125.
 
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Here's an recent but unsubstantiated rumor from a wrestling board:
http://board.themat.com/index.php?/topic/15502-dayton-racer-not-going-to-ohio-state/

Wouldn't shock me but the scuttlebutt was that Racer was having relative difficulty making weight at 157 and might be more comfortable up at 165 anyways. If Mic bumps up, I would think he would have a decent shot at beating out Campbell at 165, although certainly not guaranteed. Racer is a big time talent and could legitimately knock out Burcher and Campbell to take the spot. It is certainly a logjam through those weights but honestly, my money would be on Racer to take 165 if he bumped up, although I am guessing it would be extremely close.
 
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Wouldn't shock me but the scuttlebutt was that Racer was having relative difficulty making weight at 157 and might be more comfortable up at 165 anyways. If Mic bumps up, I would think he would have a decent shot at beating out Campbell at 165, although certainly not guaranteed. Racer is a big time talent and could legitimately knock out Burcher and Campbell to take the spot. It is certainly a logjam through those weights but honestly, my money would be on Racer to take 165 if he bumped up, although I am guessing it would be extremely close.
Racer will not be a Buckeye. Official roster and list of "new" wrestlers for the 2017-18 season:

http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/082817aab.html
 
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Don't sleep on OSU with Mitch Moore...committed to VT but there might be something there. I would love to see him end up a Buckeye, he would slot really nicely in the future lineup at 133/141.
 
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Tomasello announced he will be wrestling at 125 for us this year, which is an absolute game-changer imo, as we do not have a single weak weight class now and legitimately could have an AA at each weight. With that announcement and the news on Racer, the lineup is clear now:

125: #1 Tomasello
133: #9 Pletcher (think he will end up higher down at this weight)
141: #6 McKenna (also think he ends up higher)
149: #9 Hayes
157: #4 M. Jordan
165: #12 Campbell
174: #3 B. Jordan
184: #2 Martin
197: #1 Moore
Hwt: #1 Snyder

- That is the absolute best lineup we could put together and if we stay healthy, my money is on the Bucks to win it if we wrestle well. I see 3-4 potential champs (at least 2 imo) and AA's in about 3/4 of the lineup. MONSTER lineup.

EDIT: Updated with Flo pre-season rankings released after NaTo's announcement.
 
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Tomasello announced he will be wrestling at 125 for us this year, which is an absolute game-changer imo, as we do not have a single weak weight class now and legitimately could have an AA at each weight. With that announcement and the news on Racer, the lineup is clear now:

125: Tomasello
133: Pletcher
141: Hayes
149: McKenna
157: M. Jordan
165: Campbell
174: B. Jordan
184: Martin
197: Moore
Hwt: Snyder

- That is the absolute best lineup we could put together and if we stay healthy, my money is on the Bucks to win it if we wrestle well. I see 3-4 potential champs (at least 2 imo) and AA's in about 3/4 of the lineup. MONSTER lineup.


:jt::urban1::urban2::coombs:
 
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