Badgers at NCAAs

[bigoil]

I know my experience at the UW as a wrestler comes from a long-time back, and things have almost certainly changed since then, but I can say with absolute confidence that there was a time when grades did NOT matter if the person was an athlete and the coach wanted him in school. The freshman wrestlers roomed together at the time and my roommate was functionally illiterate. He was on a full ride and he even lasted two years before he quit/forced out. Case in point, one night the head coach came knocking on our apartment door, all lathered-up and mad at my roomie. My roomie was a student in the PE course the coach was teaching and my roomie had failed an exam. While chewing on my roomie, the coach said (and I saw/heard this with my own eyes/ears), "How could you possibly fail that test?! I gave you the exam to study a day in advance!!" My roommate's embarrassed response, I kid you not, was, "Sorry coach, but I couldn't read it."  My roomie lasted a whole 'nother year till he finally quit (or the school finally booted him out).

Maybe that's just the "good old days," though. I have no idea how that world operates these days.

Hasn't been like that for a while, even the FB/BB can't just get any body in but far more lenient than wrestling or any other sport.

[Jimmy]

Penn state has 9 out of 10 out of state starters and they are in thee best high school wrestling state in the country. The amount of wrestlers last weekend with national and international medals was unbelievable. Recruit nationally,pound the transfer portal and fill in as needed with in state talent......until Wisconsin produces top ten p4p guys and then pay them to stay with the nil deals

[bigoil]

Penn state has 9 out of 10 out of state starters and they are in thee best high school wrestling state in the country. The amount of wrestlers last weekend with national and international medals was unbelievable. Recruit nationally,pound the transfer portal and fill in as needed with in state talent......until Wisconsin produces top ten p4p guys and then pay them to stay with the nil deals

And support your states RTC, now.

[Harris]

Check out this list of wrestlers attending the Bonobilt Prospect Camp in May.  The camp features the Wisconsin wrestling staff.  The list already has 26 studs on it from all over the country and Wisconsin.  This is how you build.

https://rokfin.com/ranking/2334/Bonobilt-Prospect-Wrestlers-List

[Harris]

OH   Beric Jordan   106   Ranked #1 in country @106, Ironman Champion, 2x Ohio State Champ, Super32 AA.   2024
OH   Brogan Tucker   113   2022 Ohio 113 State Champ, Ranked #8 in the country Flo ranking, 15th Rokfin   2025
WI   Colt Weiler   113   2021 WI Triple Crown, 2021 Northern Plains Greco and Freestyle Champ, 2021 Nationals U14 Greco Runner-up and Freestyle 5th, 2022 WI High School State 113lb 4th Place   2025
ID   Carson Exferd   120   2x Idaho HS State Champion - Reno Worlds All American - USA Preseason National All American   2024
WI   Dawson Johnson   120   2x folkstyle champ, national champ, 3x freestyle state champ,   2024
WI   Danny Heiser   120   2022 WI Wrestling State Champ   2025
WI   Jacob Paul Herm   120   2021 Wisconsin Triple Crown, 2021 Northern Pains Greco and Freestyle Champ, 6th place at U15 Team trials, 2021 u14 Greco National Champ, 2021 U14 Freestyle National Runner up, 2022 WIAA High School 106 Runner up   2025
IL   Gylon Sims   120   3x finalist, 2x State Champ, Cadet AA   2023
WI   Mason Carpenter   120   2021 folkstyle 5th place, 2021 freestyle 1st place,2022 folkstyle 2nd place   2024
OH   Omar Ayoub   126   OHSAA D1 State Champion   2024
OH   Ismael Ayoub   138   OHSAA D1 State finalist, Super32 5th, Regional FS and GR cadet champ, Cadet National Duals AA,NHSCA AA   2024
OH   Ryan Bennett   126   Ohio D1 State Champ, Ohio D1 4th, NHSCA Finalist   2024
MO   Christopher Coates   132   2xMO state champion, Cadet Fargo Freestyle Runner-up, Cadet WTT placer   2024
TN   Hunter Sturgill   132   TN State Champion   2025
IL   Dominic Serio   138   Freshman/ sophomore state champion, Bonobilt Big 8 champion, Fargo Qualifier   2025
WI   Kellan Aure   138   WIAA state finalist   2023
IL   Mason Alessio   145   IL State Runner up. 2nd cheesehead. 5th Donnybrook   2023
NE   Cade Ziola   152   Nebraska Class B State Finalist   2025
IL   Logan swaw   152   IL State Placer   
PA   Cael Weidemoyer   152   2022 PA MS State champ, 2021 Super 32 Champ, 2x Journeymen Champ, 2x Powerade Champ, 2021 Ohio TOC Champ   2026
NJ   Zander Silva   160   2019 District 1st / Region 3rd / NJSQ - 2020 Super Region 4th / NJSQ - 2021(22) Escape the Rock 8th / Region 1st / District 1st / NJ States 3rd   2023
WI   Owen Heiser   170   2022 WI Wrestling State Champ   2023
IL   Kai Calcutt   285   3X Illinois IKWF state champ, 21' Super 32 Champ, 2x Tulsa National Champ, 21' 14U USA National Greco/Freestyle Champ   
IL   Dillan Johnson   285   2x State Heavy Weight 2a champ   2024
NE   Tyson Terry   285   Class A State Champion in Nebraska   2025
OH   Aidan Fockler   285   Ohio 2021 2nd, 2022 3rd ,Fargo dbl aa ,super 32 6th ironman 8th   2024

[vsmf2010]

That is a pretty impressive group. Thank for posting.

[hammer]

Penn state has 9 out of 10 out of state starters and they are in thee best high school wrestling state in the country. The amount of wrestlers last weekend with national and international medals was unbelievable. Recruit nationally,pound the transfer portal and fill in as needed with in state talent......until Wisconsin produces top ten p4p guys and then pay them to stay with the nil deals

And support your states RTC, now.

Where is Illinois RTC located? Why I ask is that if you live close to another state their maybe some cross over money, just saying. Kind of like Wisconsin kids jump some borders to go to clubs. Examples of clubs are Sebolt, Pinnacle and i would guess Izzy or another Chicago club ,at get a few kids heading over.

[Vir Fortis]

Penn state has 9 out of 10 out of state starters and they are in thee best high school wrestling state in the country. The amount of wrestlers last weekend with national and international medals was unbelievable. Recruit nationally,pound the transfer portal and fill in as needed with in state talent......until Wisconsin produces top ten p4p guys and then pay them to stay with the nil deals

I don't know the Penn State lineup that well, but 3 guys off the top of my head were from Penn. Also...until we're recruiting at the level where we can lose an All American who's from Wisconsin(as they lost an AA from Minnesota) and then just reach into the transfer portal and get a kid who's a two time American in his first two years and a runner up, probably not a good idea to compare our program with theirs. So then went into the season with 4 of their projected starters from Penn. Bartlett, Edsell(Beard, returning AA) and Starocci(NC).


And that PENN STATE. When we get the most iconic coach in the sport and we build the best RTC and pay our top assistant as much as any other Head Coach in the Big Ten, and become the top program in the state, it's probably not a good idea to look at Penn State for advice on how to recruit.


And Wisconsin does and is producing top 10 pound for pound Wrestlers. I'm not sure what you mean by "and pay them with NIL deals." That's not something the College does and...and I'm really doubting Wrestlers are prioritizing NIL deals.

[Vir Fortis]

OH   Beric Jordan   106   Ranked #1 in country @106, Ironman Champion, 2x Ohio State Champ, Super32 AA.   2024
OH   Brogan Tucker   113   2022 Ohio 113 State Champ, Ranked #8 in the country Flo ranking, 15th Rokfin   2025
WI   Colt Weiler   113   2021 WI Triple Crown, 2021 Northern Plains Greco and Freestyle Champ, 2021 Nationals U14 Greco Runner-up and Freestyle 5th, 2022 WI High School State 113lb 4th Place   2025
ID   Carson Exferd   120   2x Idaho HS State Champion - Reno Worlds All American - USA Preseason National All American   2024
WI   Dawson Johnson   120   2x folkstyle champ, national champ, 3x freestyle state champ,   2024
WI   Danny Heiser   120   2022 WI Wrestling State Champ   2025
WI   Jacob Paul Herm   120   2021 Wisconsin Triple Crown, 2021 Northern Pains Greco and Freestyle Champ, 6th place at U15 Team trials, 2021 u14 Greco National Champ, 2021 U14 Freestyle National Runner up, 2022 WIAA High School 106 Runner up   2025
IL   Gylon Sims   120   3x finalist, 2x State Champ, Cadet AA   2023
WI   Mason Carpenter   120   2021 folkstyle 5th place, 2021 freestyle 1st place,2022 folkstyle 2nd place   2024
OH   Omar Ayoub   126   OHSAA D1 State Champion   2024
OH   Ismael Ayoub   138   OHSAA D1 State finalist, Super32 5th, Regional FS and GR cadet champ, Cadet National Duals AA,NHSCA AA   2024
OH   Ryan Bennett   126   Ohio D1 State Champ, Ohio D1 4th, NHSCA Finalist   2024
MO   Christopher Coates   132   2xMO state champion, Cadet Fargo Freestyle Runner-up, Cadet WTT placer   2024
TN   Hunter Sturgill   132   TN State Champion   2025
IL   Dominic Serio   138   Freshman/ sophomore state champion, Bonobilt Big 8 champion, Fargo Qualifier   2025
WI   Kellan Aure   138   WIAA state finalist   2023
IL   Mason Alessio   145   IL State Runner up. 2nd cheesehead. 5th Donnybrook   2023
NE   Cade Ziola   152   Nebraska Class B State Finalist   2025
IL   Logan swaw   152   IL State Placer   
PA   Cael Weidemoyer   152   2022 PA MS State champ, 2021 Super 32 Champ, 2x Journeymen Champ, 2x Powerade Champ, 2021 Ohio TOC Champ   2026
NJ   Zander Silva   160   2019 District 1st / Region 3rd / NJSQ - 2020 Super Region 4th / NJSQ - 2021(22) Escape the Rock 8th / Region 1st / District 1st / NJ States 3rd   2023
WI   Owen Heiser   170   2022 WI Wrestling State Champ   2023
IL   Kai Calcutt   285   3X Illinois IKWF state champ, 21' Super 32 Champ, 2x Tulsa National Champ, 21' 14U USA National Greco/Freestyle Champ   
IL   Dillan Johnson   285   2x State Heavy Weight 2a champ   2024
NE   Tyson Terry   285   Class A State Champion in Nebraska   2025
OH   Aidan Fockler   285   Ohio 2021 2nd, 2022 3rd ,Fargo dbl aa ,super 32 6th ironman 8th   2024

Ayoub are the younger brothers of a current commit, correct?

Looks like a very good list. Aure was a kid from Wisconsin who likely isn't being highly recruited, but was impressive at the State Tournament.

Down 4-1 with maybe 30 seconds left vs Duchatea and he got the escape and then the TD as time expired.

[vsmf2010]

OH   Beric Jordan   106   Ranked #1 in country @106, Ironman Champion, 2x Ohio State Champ, Super32 AA.   2024
OH   Brogan Tucker   113   2022 Ohio 113 State Champ, Ranked #8 in the country Flo ranking, 15th Rokfin   2025
WI   Colt Weiler   113   2021 WI Triple Crown, 2021 Northern Plains Greco and Freestyle Champ, 2021 Nationals U14 Greco Runner-up and Freestyle 5th, 2022 WI High School State 113lb 4th Place   2025
ID   Carson Exferd   120   2x Idaho HS State Champion - Reno Worlds All American - USA Preseason National All American   2024
WI   Dawson Johnson   120   2x folkstyle champ, national champ, 3x freestyle state champ,   2024
WI   Danny Heiser   120   2022 WI Wrestling State Champ   2025
WI   Jacob Paul Herm   120   2021 Wisconsin Triple Crown, 2021 Northern Pains Greco and Freestyle Champ, 6th place at U15 Team trials, 2021 u14 Greco National Champ, 2021 U14 Freestyle National Runner up, 2022 WIAA High School 106 Runner up   2025
IL   Gylon Sims   120   3x finalist, 2x State Champ, Cadet AA   2023
WI   Mason Carpenter   120   2021 folkstyle 5th place, 2021 freestyle 1st place,2022 folkstyle 2nd place   2024
OH   Omar Ayoub   126   OHSAA D1 State Champion   2024
OH   Ismael Ayoub   138   OHSAA D1 State finalist, Super32 5th, Regional FS and GR cadet champ, Cadet National Duals AA,NHSCA AA   2024
OH   Ryan Bennett   126   Ohio D1 State Champ, Ohio D1 4th, NHSCA Finalist   2024
MO   Christopher Coates   132   2xMO state champion, Cadet Fargo Freestyle Runner-up, Cadet WTT placer   2024
TN   Hunter Sturgill   132   TN State Champion   2025
IL   Dominic Serio   138   Freshman/ sophomore state champion, Bonobilt Big 8 champion, Fargo Qualifier   2025
WI   Kellan Aure   138   WIAA state finalist   2023
IL   Mason Alessio   145   IL State Runner up. 2nd cheesehead. 5th Donnybrook   2023
NE   Cade Ziola   152   Nebraska Class B State Finalist   2025
IL   Logan swaw   152   IL State Placer   
PA   Cael Weidemoyer   152   2022 PA MS State champ, 2021 Super 32 Champ, 2x Journeymen Champ, 2x Powerade Champ, 2021 Ohio TOC Champ   2026
NJ   Zander Silva   160   2019 District 1st / Region 3rd / NJSQ - 2020 Super Region 4th / NJSQ - 2021(22) Escape the Rock 8th / Region 1st / District 1st / NJ States 3rd   2023
WI   Owen Heiser   170   2022 WI Wrestling State Champ   2023
IL   Kai Calcutt   285   3X Illinois IKWF state champ, 21' Super 32 Champ, 2x Tulsa National Champ, 21' 14U USA National Greco/Freestyle Champ   
IL   Dillan Johnson   285   2x State Heavy Weight 2a champ   2024
NE   Tyson Terry   285   Class A State Champion in Nebraska   2025
OH   Aidan Fockler   285   Ohio 2021 2nd, 2022 3rd ,Fargo dbl aa ,super 32 6th ironman 8th   2024

Ayoub are the younger brothers of a current commit, correct?

Looks like a very good list. Aure was a kid from Wisconsin who likely isn't being highly recruited, but was impressive at the State Tournament.

Down 4-1 with maybe 30 seconds left vs Duchatea and he got the escape and then the TD as time expired.

Ismael is the commit and is a senior. The graduating class is listed incorrectly on the rokfin site. His younger brother Omar is quite good and it would be great if he followed his brother to the UW. Currently Flo #13 at his weight one spot behind Rivera.

[Vir Fortis]

University of Northern Iowa admissions is selective with an acceptance rate of 79%; ACT Composite: 20–26.


Wisconsin admissions is selective with an acceptance rate of 54%. Students that get into Wisconsin have an average ACT score of 27-32

NOT EVERY STUDENT ATHLETE IS GETTING INTO UW.

Does anyone know Parker Keckeisen's ACT or Grade Point Average? If they do, please don't share on this forum, it was a rhetorical question, but UNI was a SINGLE example because of ONE kid who we lost to them who's now excelling.

I also know for a fact there have been several highly recruited kids from Wisconsin who easily had the grades to get into the School who never received so much as a phone call from the Badgers(in fact...at least one got into a much more difficult school).

I also remember one of the Wisconsin Wrestlers was a class valedictorian. I don't recall if that was Keckisen or O'Toole or Buchanan.

Either way...not blaming the current Badgers coaches. Not blaming Bono for not getting Wrestlers who committed before he was even hired.


Simply said it'd be a good idea to get guys like Rivera, like Grayson Clark, like Koy Hopke, like Austin Sinclair...like Charlie Milard, the Mirasola kids.

Now can someone please tell me why the first reaction to that is a list of excuses and arguments, disagreements, pointing out outliers like Destin McCauley or whomever?

I'm clearly just not that bright, wouldn't get into Madison and I'm missing something. I know I said I'd stop, but I desperately need to know why that's an issue that ANYONE would even argue with? You'd think on a board with both Badgers fans and Wisconsin Wrestling fans people would be excited we've got some truly elite Wrestlers coming up and we'd want them to Wrestle in Wisconsin rather than the dozen other schools that has produced Wisconsin All American's in the last ~20 years.

So explain it to me like I'm a child. Why is that an objectionable statement? Is it because people think I'm attacking the Badgers? I'm not. Most of the kids Wrestling right now committed before Bono even had a job(as I've said).

Do they simply not want to set themselves up for disappointment? We're almost certainly not going to get all of them(should still make an effort though).

[bigoil]

O'Toole had already decided on Missouri by the time Bono arrived, I believe he committed after Bono arrived but had already made his decision. 

[Harris]

University of Northern Iowa admissions is selective with an acceptance rate of 79%; ACT Composite: 20–26.


Wisconsin admissions is selective with an acceptance rate of 54%. Students that get into Wisconsin have an average ACT score of 27-32

NOT EVERY STUDENT ATHLETE IS GETTING INTO UW.

Does anyone know Parker Keckeisen's ACT or Grade Point Average? If they do, please don't share on this forum, it was a rhetorical question, but UNI was a SINGLE example because of ONE kid who we lost to them who's now excelling.

I also know for a fact there have been several highly recruited kids from Wisconsin who easily had the grades to get into the School who never received so much as a phone call from the Badgers(in fact...at least one got into a much more difficult school).

I also remember one of the Wisconsin Wrestlers was a class valedictorian. I don't recall if that was Keckisen or O'Toole or Buchanan.

Either way...not blaming the current Badgers coaches. Not blaming Bono for not getting Wrestlers who committed before he was even hired.


Simply said it'd be a good idea to get guys like Rivera, like Grayson Clark, like Koy Hopke, like Austin Sinclair...like Charlie Milard, the Mirasola kids.

Now can someone please tell me why the first reaction to that is a list of excuses and arguments, disagreements, pointing out outliers like Destin McCauley or whomever?

I'm clearly just not that bright, wouldn't get into Madison and I'm missing something. I know I said I'd stop, but I desperately need to know why that's an issue that ANYONE would even argue with? You'd think on a board with both Badgers fans and Wisconsin Wrestling fans people would be excited we've got some truly elite Wrestlers coming up and we'd want them to Wrestle in Wisconsin rather than the dozen other schools that has produced Wisconsin All American's in the last ~20 years.

So explain it to me like I'm a child. Why is that an objectionable statement? Is it because people think I'm attacking the Badgers? I'm not. Most of the kids Wrestling right now committed before Bono even had a job(as I've said).

Do they simply not want to set themselves up for disappointment? We're almost certainly not going to get all of them(should still make an effort though).

I agree with everything you are saying and would love to see the Badgers get more high level recruits from Wisconsin.  Personally, I think Jon Reader is an excellent recruiter and I love his passion and energy.  The entire staff and team has really turned the corner in my opinion.  I am not sure what happened between Bono and Askren but when that relationship went away it makes it much harder to attract top AWA guys who are dominating the state wrestling scene right now.  On the flip side, if the Badger coaching staff keeps improving and the team keeps getting better, I think the top level recruits are going to give Wisconsin a fair look regardless.  12-2 in the Big Ten, 9 qualifiers to the NCAA tournament, a Big Ten Champion, electric dual meets, and 3 AA's is a great sales pitch to any high level recruit in the state.  The results speak for themselves and the recruiting will continue to get better.

Koy Hopke wrestles in the summer for Pinnacle so getting him would be a challenge considering Pinnacle has a great relationship with MN but anything is possible.  Having Trevor Brandvold on staff from River Falls just makes it even harder considering Hopke is from Amery.  He is the real deal and would be a HUGE get.  When was the last time a high level Pinnacle wrestler came to Wisconsin?  Out of all the Wisconsin high school wrestlers not committed, Hopke is on the top of my list.

I also love to see the success the program had this year when so many people doubted the team.  Don't count the Badgers out.  The coaching staff is building something special.  Watch the following interview on Instagram and you will see a different side of Bono.  He loves his guys!

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CbRDn6yrw6k/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

[vsmf2010]

I have not seen anyone mention Braeden Scoles on this recent string in regard to top notch WI talent. He has been near the top of my wish list of WI kids for a while. Does anyone know what his plans are? I remember a picture of him taking a visit with 2 other recruits who ended up committing. I do not remember for sure who was in the picture but it was Scoles with some combination of Clark, Rowley and Bobzien.

[Army Ant]

I have not seen anyone mention Braeden Scoles on this recent string in regard to top notch WI talent. He has been near the top of my wish list of WI kids for a while. Does anyone know what his plans are? I remember a picture of him taking a visit with 2 other recruits who ended up committing. I do not remember for sure who was in the picture but it was Scoles with some combination of Clark, Rowley and Bobzien.

Yah. He's right up there. I just didn't think he was quite at the level of Sinclair, Whiting or Hopke. He would be a great pick up either way.