The 2026-27 college wrestling season is still over two months away, but it's never too early to start getting excited for next year! To help you better prepare for the season, I've compiled a list of 50 wrestlers who didn't wrestle last year and are either making their college debuts or returning back to college wrestling after an injury or redshirt.
The Top 10
I'm going to give my breakdown for each wrestler in the top 10 below, but if you want to see the entire list, just keep scrolling! It's also probably important for me to explain my criteria before you start reading. The best way I can explain my criteria is in one word: VIBES. There's not much of a science to this list. I put the wrestlers in the order of who I'm most excited to see wrestle and who I think could have the biggest impact on college wrestling next year. That means that your list will probably look a lot different than mine. That's what makes these things fun!
1. Masanosuke Ono, Penn State - 133/141
How can a world champion who's never wrestled a competitive folkstyle match not be #1? Yes, there's still a ton of questions surrounding whether Ono will even wrestle and, if he does, what weight he will be at! However, Ono's run at the 2024 World Championships, where he teched Vito Arujau and defeated world and Olympic champion Zavur Uguev, was historic. Combine that with Ono's electric personality, and he has the potential to take the college wrestling world by storm this year.
Masanosuke Ono's win over Spencer Lee:
2. Bo Bassett, Virginia Tech - 141
Bo Bassett is the most popular high school wrestler of all time, and for good reason. He's a U17 World Champion, 3-time PA state champion, 4-time Super 32 champion, U20 World bronze medalist, and is currently in Final X, waiting to wrestle off Real Woods for the senior world team spot at 65 kg (oh, and he's also on the U20 and U23 world teams this year). Bo has more hype than anyone who has ever entered college wrestling, and I can't wait to see how he lives up to it next year at Virginia Tech.
Follow Bo Bassett at the 2026 US Open:
3. Caleb Henson, Virginia Tech - 149
Staying in Blacksburg with Caleb Henson, who is returning to college wrestling after redshirting last year. Henson is a 3-time All-American who has placed 5th, 1st, and 2nd in his three years as a Hokie. As an NCAA champion, he has to be high on this list, but what makes it even better is the depth at 149 pounds this year. Henson will be battling for another NCAA title alongside Sergio Vega, Aden Valencia, Shayne Van Ness, and potentially Jesse Mendez. That's 4 NCAA champions in one weight class - could this be the best weight of all time!?
4. Dreshaun Ross, Oklahoma State - 285
Now this is where my opinion really starts to affect the order of wrestlers on this list. I think Dreshaun Ross has the potential to be an NCAA Champion at heavyweight this year. When was the last time that was done by a true freshman at heavyweight? Now, I did make this list before David Taylor announced that All-American Konner Doucet has another year of eligibility. I'm going to stick to my guns though here and keep Ross at #4. I think he's that good, and if he's in the lineup over Doucet, he has the potential to win a wide-open heavyweight field that won't have 6 of last year's 8 All-Americans (only Ben Kueter and Christian Carroll return).
Dreshaun Ross' best-of-three series against Coby Merrill in the 2026 U20 WTT finals:
5. Ryan Crookham, Iowa - 133
Ryan Crookham has lost 1 college wrestling match; that loss came in the semifinals of the 2024 NCAA Tournament to Vito Arujau. Crookham also defeated Arujau twice that season and has notable wins over All-Americans Nasir Bailey, Evan Frost, Aaron Nagao, and Braeden Davis. This year, Crookham will face an entirely new crowd of wrestlers at 133 pounds. How does Crookham stack up against Jax Forrest, Marcus Blaze, Aaron Seidel, and Ben Davino? Time will tell, and I can't wait to find out!
Ryan Crookham's first win over Vito Arujau:
6. Jayden James, Penn State - 165/174
These next two wrestlers are interesting because they'll likely be in a roster battle, but also because if they're in the lineup, they're title contenders! Jayden James is as talented as they come and showed that over the spring by defeating Joe Sealey (10-0), Michael Caliendo (8-3), and Quincy Monday (pin) while only losing to David Carr (9-7) at the World Team Trials. He also went on to make the U20 World team by defeating Dee Lockett in two straight matches. With Levi Haines likely returning to the lineup, it's hard to imagine where he fits. Could Levi move up to 184? Will Jayden challenge Levi at 174? Both are probably unlikely, but James will be a factor at Penn State for years to come.
Jayden James' best-of-three series vs Dee Lockett in the 2026 U20 WTT finals:
7. Tyler Kasak, Penn State - 157
Similar to James, Kasak's path to starting will be tough this year. PJ Duke is likely staying at 157 pounds, and that means we'll see one of the best roster battles of all time. Kasak had a phenomenal year in 2025 where he placed 3rd at NCAAs but entered the tournament as the #1 seed. Beyond that, Kasak dominated the eventual national champion that year, Antrell Taylor, twice (9-3 and a pin).
8. Anthony Knox, Rutgers - 125
The 125-pound weight class will return 6 of the 8 All-Americans from last year - Luke Lilledahl, Marc-Anthony McGowan, Nico Provo, Vincent Robinson, Troy Spratley, and Jore Volk. With that kind of returning talent, it will take a truly special wrestler to shake things up. I believe Anthony Knox is that wrestler. He's a four-time New Jersey state champ (that's right NJSIAA) and has recent freestyle wins over Liam Cronin, Vinny Kilkeary, and Brody Teske. Knox is the real deal and is even Christian Pyles' dark-horse title contender at 125 this year!
9. Cade Ziola, Nebraska - 285
I mentioned it earlier, but heavyweight is wide open next year, and I think Ziola has the potential to finish very high at NCAAs. Last year, Ziola redshirted behind AJ Ferrari and put together a solid year with a 16-3 record while recording notable wins over Coby Merrill, Koy Hopke, Bennett Tabor, and Spencer Lanosga. Ziola's only losses were to Koy Hopke (5-3), Konner Doucet (2-1), and Bennett Tabor (6-2). If Ziola keeps improving and grows into his frame, he can be an NCAA champion next year.
10. Coby Merrill, Iowa State - 285
Coby Merrill put the heavyweight world on notice this Spring when he defeated Mason Parris (8-1), Cole Mirasola (11-0 and 13-7), Dreshaun Ross (8-6 and 11-0), Hayden Zillmer (4-1), and Taye Ghadiali (13-3 and 6-0). Merrill also wrestled in 5 college opens last year and recorded a 15-2 record. His most notable results were victories over National Qualifiers Jarrett Stoner (20-4) and Daniel Herrera (10-1) and close losses to Cade Ziola (4-2) and Christian Carroll (2-1 in OT). Merrill doesn't quite have the offense that Ross and Ziola do, but Merrill is absolutely a title contender next year.
Top 50 Newcomers
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Just for fun - here's a list of honorable mention guys to watch out for next season! Let me know of any guys you think should be on either list by emailing me at jonathan.koza@flosports.tv, sending me a dm on X @KozakJon, or on Instagram @JJKozak.