Takedown Report

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

Iowa, Iowa State among the notable players this spring
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, … more at … https://www.thegazette.com/hawkeye-wrestling/transfer-portal-nil-creates-an-offseason-whirlwind-of-change-for-college-wrestling/

April 23, 2025 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized