Transfer portal, NIL creates an offseason whirlwind of change for college wrestling

Transfers have made an impact for a long time. Many college wrestling programs have benefited from wrestlers, needing a new home or a fresh start.

The ability to move from one NCAA Division I program to another has become easier without penalty or sacrifice to eligibility. The Transfer Portal and Name, Image and Likeness era has allowed student-athletes to maximize their worth and for schools to solidify lineups.

The offseason has been a whirlwind of moves that has benefited some of the top programs and creating a greater divide between college wrestling’s haves and the have nots.

University of Iowa is coming off a fourth-place team finish, placing behind Penn State, Nebraska and Oklahoma State. All but Nebraska have been busy this spring.

The Hawkeyes have gained from the transfer portal, adding the likes of former Penn State and University of Northern Iowa national qualifier Brody Teske, North Dakota State All-Americans Jared Franek and Michael Caliendo, former Oklahoma wrestler and 2024-25 125-pound starter Joey Cruz and multiple All-Americans Stephen Buchanan, Kyle Parco and Jacori Teemer.

Buchanan, who wrestled at Wyoming and Oklahoma, capped his career with a national title in his first finals appearance in March.

Who’s next? Iowa needs an upgrade at 125 and 141, receiving little postseason production from either weight. Parco, Teemer and Buchanan exhausted their eligibility and left holes.

Some key replacements were quick to make the move. University of Arkansas-Little Rock duo of Nasir Bailey and Jordan Williams announced their commitment to Iowa on social media. Former Rutgers 125-pounder Dean Peterson followed with his decision to join the Hawkeyes.

Bailey is the most compelling for Iowa. He placed fourth at 133 as a freshman, becoming Little Rock’s first All-American. He won a Pac-12 title this season, entering the NCAA tournament as the No. 3 seed, reached the quarterfinals but did not place. Bailey could redshirt and replace two-time NCAA finalist Drake Ayala at 133 or slip in at 141 with two years remaining.

Williams, who wrestled at Oklahoma State before Little Rock, is a two-time NCAA qualifier, missing the podium by one victory this season. He would be a natural fit to take over for Parco at 149.

Cruz was commendable in his role, earning the No. 5 seed for the Big Ten Wrestling Championships but didn’t contribute any points. A sharp contrast from a school with the strength and tradition at the lightest weight class.

Peterson is a three-time NCAA qualifier, placing sixth, fifth and seventh at the last three Big Ten tournaments. Like Franek, Parco, Teemer and Buchanan, he will have just one season with the Hawkeyes.

Iowa welcomes three All-American candidates to fill needs for the next season. The lone question mark is 197 and whether another possible transfer will enter the fray or if an incoming recruit or current Hawkeye takes over the spot.

Iowa State has also experienced a revolving door of talent in its wrestling room. Iowa State had former starters Zach Redding (133), Casey Swiderski (141/149) and 157-pounder Cody Chittum, a former Hawkeye as well, entered the portal. Swiderski announced his switch to Oklahoma State, which welcomed former Penn State duo Alex Facundo and Zack Ryder.

Chittum is said to be headed to Ohio State, while Redding committed to North Carolina State.

The Cyclones made key acquisitions, bringing in former Missouri 197-pounder Rocky Elam and Isaac Dean, of Ryder.

Elam has a tremendous resume. He is a four-time All-American, placing sixth or better each season including a third-place finish. He is a two-time conference champion – once in the Big 12 and once in the Mid-American Conference. The 2021 Junior World champion redshirted last season, recovering from shoulder surgery after the 2023-24 season. He has one year remaining but is a huge bonus at 197.

Dean is expected to compete at 184. He was 25-9 and won the MAC title, qualifying for the NCAA tournament. He fell two wins short of the podium, losing both in tiebreakers. Dean replaces Evan Bockman, who was an All-American transfer last season.

Penn State added Rocco Welsh, a 2024 NCAA runner-up to Carter Starocci at 174 as a freshman, who redshirted last season. They also added men’s freestyle world champion Masanosuke Ono, who edged Spencer Lee in an event at Xtream Arena in Coralville Feb. 26.

As loyalty is tested and commitments are short-term agreements, University of Northern Iowa hasn’t been affected as much. They retained all of their team last season. Sure, the Panthers have added transfers, but some haven’t contributed. Jack Thomsen, formerly of South Dakota State, returned to Iowa and has made an impact, qualifying for the NCAA tournament at 165 and contributing to UNI’s dual success and ninth-place finish at the national tournament.

But, the Panthers have not been unscathed. They did lose 10-year assistant coach Lee Roper, who was named Cowboy Regional Training Center Executive Director and Senior Level Coach in Stillwater, Okla., Thursday. In a similar move, former Oklahoma State assistant and former Hawkeye Thomas Gilman returned to the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club as a coach this spring.

The rich get richer and smaller programs like Little Rock and Ryder remain feeder systems for the sport’s bluebloods. Iowa and Iowa State have helped their cause, so far, this offseason.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com