157 next year

Sabula

All-Conference
Oct 24, 2001
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JW has million dollar talent with a ten cent head.

Another coach saw that and sent him packing. Us keeping him around next year is probably as big a gamble as we've seen from Tom, older Ferrari Bros aside.

If it ever clicks though, he has top 3 talent, though it's more likely he punches someone in a bar.
Hey, this team needs all the talent it can get to compete for second or third. If Williams wants to be on the team and he puts forth the effort then the team reaps the benefits. If he chooses to act like he did last year then he's probably riding the pine and nothing hurt. Somebody else is in his spot.
 
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Mattski

All-Conference
Apr 21, 2022
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So you’re implying he should have stayed 220 and that would have gone well? Are we adding Murin to the success side now?
Ben needed and still needs to add quite a bit more if he's going to reach his potential. Everyone knows this.
Murin did about what was expected, I wouldn't call it a big success but I will acknowledge he did put on quality weight.
But still, I'm talking about having Championship expectations.
 

AndreTheHawk

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
1,059
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JW has million dollar talent with a ten cent head.

Another coach saw that and sent him packing. Us keeping him around next year is probably as big a gamble as we've seen from Tom, older Ferrari Bros aside.

If it ever clicks though, he has top 3 talent, though it's more likely he punches someone in a bar.
Or auditioning for a crack at Dancing with the Stars. He and Jacori Teemer would be a hell of a pairing.
 

hawknut

All-Conference
Jan 12, 2003
654
1,283
63
If Block was gonna be 157 Iowa would have gotten Ech for 149. Block is a 149
Maybe, but for better or worse, Brands has historically not master planned weights like this. He tends to let the weight movement figure it out by letting the fur fly, which probably sharpens individuals, but probably weakens team by having some empty weights.
Not to bash on Brands, but it’s entirely possible that Block is strongly considering moving up and Brands doesn’t have a plan for 149 with this possibility.
 

hawknut

All-Conference
Jan 12, 2003
654
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I always believe quickness translates up and is lesser going down.

Ryder very well may be just fine at 149 for many reasons listed above. But Corby....I refuse to just always agree that TnT know best every time. Somewhere along the line they lost that trust with me. I've watched this show for many a years and come to the conclusion that their lineup vision is very short sighted without a long term plan.

I'd preferably rather have Estrada 149/ Block 157 but I am just a casual not in the room so what do I know.

Good news is my job isn't on the line if the lineup doesn't pan out.
Yeah Tom said just this year something about they have to start doing a better job screening transfers. That blew my mind. Been here how long and supposed top of his field and it never crossed his mind?
 

Corby2

All-American
Jul 14, 2025
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Maybe, but for better or worse, Brands has historically not master planned weights like this. He tends to let the weight movement figure it out by letting the fur fly, which probably sharpens individuals, but probably weakens team by having some empty weights.
Not to bash on Brands, but it’s entirely possible that Block is strongly considering moving up and Brands doesn’t have a plan for 149 with this possibility.
Ech isn't at Iowa because he was saying he's a 149 . Zepeda was gonna be 157. Way to many Block weight experts here will no facts at all.
 

BrianLafevre

Senior
Jun 30, 2025
238
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Yeah Tom said just this year something about they have to start doing a better job screening transfers. That blew my mind. Been here how long and supposed top of his field and it never crossed his mind?
How do you screen a wrestler’s intentions and motivation? I’ve criticized Tom plenty but I’ve tried to at least be fair. Portal misses happen everywhere and really aren’t indicative of the program, other than having to rely on them to supplement subpar recruiting.

Crookham is high risk due to his injuries but he’s definitely worth it. Not the program’s $ anyways.
 
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Slim45

All-Conference
Nov 30, 2019
647
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Yeah Tom said just this year something about they have to start doing a better job screening transfers. That blew my mind. Been here how long and supposed top of his field and it never crossed his mind?
How long has the transfer portal/nil been a thing? Brands has done a pretty damn good job with transfers historically. Desanto, eirmann, woods, caliendo, franek, parco, buchannan. When you start paying them, that’s when you need to start screening them better.
 
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hawknut

All-Conference
Jan 12, 2003
654
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Ech isn't at Iowa because he was saying he's a 149 . Zepeda was gonna be 157. Way to many Block weight experts here will no facts at all.
My post you cited never indicated where Block was going to be. I have no idea and don’t claim to. If I wasn’t clear on that, my fault.

My post was just referring to Brands historical actions of planning out a lineup. Posters were saying that Brands must have a plan for Block to go a certain weight. I just pointed out that he actually might not.

I mean obviously they pencil in weights, but if a guy is considering on moving up, Tom has tended to not plan that out in advance too well—thus empty weights. Part of it is they want guys to sort it out on the mat. There are many examples of this over the years. More important now that you can buy guys to fill the holes.
 
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hawknut

All-Conference
Jan 12, 2003
654
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How long has the transfer portal/nil been a thing? Brands has done a pretty damn good job with transfers historically. Desanto, eirmann, woods, caliendo, franek, parco, buchannan. When you start paying them, that’s when you need to start screening them better.
Coach Brands said it, not me. Just seemed very callous, too. He should be screening every single guy he brings in from the very first day he was head coach.

I was assuming (maybe incorrectly so) he was talking about JW and maybe a few others. Like maybe they didn’t do their homework on them. You are running a top but slipping program and you didn’t do your homework? Maybe I took it wrong.
 
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Corby2

All-American
Jul 14, 2025
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My post you cited never indicated where Block was going to be. I have no idea and don’t claim to. If I wasn’t clear on that, my fault.

My post was just referring to Brands historical actions of planning out a lineup. Posters were saying that Brands must have a plan for Block to go a certain weight. I just pointed out that he actually might not.

I mean obviously they pencil in weights, but if a guy is considering on moving up, Tom has tended to not plan that out in advance too well—thus empty weights. Part of it is they want guys to sort it out on the mat. There are many examples of this over the years. More important now that you can buy guys to fill the holes.
If Block wasn't sure what weight he was then Ech would be in Iowa and they would figure it out. Issue is both are 149s so Ech is at Nebraska. And Zepeda wasn't a thing until he said I'm going 157. Block is a 149 and the cut isn't bad
 

sdvike

All-Conference
Feb 23, 2016
973
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If Block wasn't sure what weight he was then Ech would be in Iowa and they would figure it out. Issue is both are 149s so Ech is at Nebraska. And Zepeda wasn't a thing until he said I'm going 157. Block is a 149 and the cut isn't bad
Should be a good one between Block and Ech in Carver, maybe even decide the dual.
 
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TheREALSpooner

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2022
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Hey, this team needs all the talent it can get to compete for second or third. If Williams wants to be on the team and he puts forth the effort then the team reaps the benefits. If he chooses to act like he did last year then he's probably riding the pine and nothing hurt. Somebody else is in his spot.

He doesn’t really move the needle either way.

That said, I’m fine with him if he comes back. Wish we had a better option, however.
 

chipackhawk

All-Conference
Jan 10, 2018
559
1,383
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Yeah im sure they waited til they were out the door 🤣🤣🤣 you are pretty dense huh
I dont know why you are so butt hurt about it, youre the one whining and crying over it...
And how does losing a yr of eligibility have anything to do with when brands told them to come to Iowa with him lol youre definitely the bright one here 🤣🤣🤣
When you have to use emojis to try and get a point across it means you aren’t intelligent enough to do it with words.
 

Libertylover

All-Conference
Dec 17, 2020
1,018
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If Block was gonna be 157 Iowa would have gotten Ech for 149. Block is a 149
So you’re saying we would have been his 1st choice but we didn’t want him? I thought we would take him after Zepeda went to Michigan.
 
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Libertylover

All-Conference
Dec 17, 2020
1,018
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Everyone said the same about Block in high school as well. I have been around him some coming up and he's very lean and hasn't put on much mass in the last few years. If Block thought that weight was an issue he would go up .
When seen him on his visit, he looked very young, not deep into puberty yet, and had good length and frame for his weight already, which made me predict he’d be between 157 and 174 after growing more and maturing. Maybe if he started eating and lifting hard now, he would find out 157 is his sweet spot. 149 isn’t going to be a picnic either next year. Estrada 149, Block 157 is best for the team, but I know it’s still an individual sport first.
 

Anon1751369530

Freshman
Jul 1, 2025
52
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When seen him on his visit, he looked very young, not deep into puberty yet, and had good length and frame for his weight already, which made me predict he’d be between 157 and 174 after growing more and maturing. Maybe if he started eating and lifting hard now, he would find out 157 is his sweet spot. 149 isn’t going to be a picnic either next year. Estrada 149, Block 157 is best for the team, but I know it’s still an individual sport first.
You think a d1 athlete in 2026 isnt lifting hard? Come on this isn’t Aaron Brooks claiming he doesn’t lift. There is a YouTube video under with the strength coach asking who are the strongest pound for pound guys on the team and he names Block and Bailey.
 
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Libertylover

All-Conference
Dec 17, 2020
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You think a d1 athlete in 2026 isnt lifting hard? Come on this isn’t Aaron Brooks claiming he doesn’t lift. There is a YouTube video under with the strength coach asking who are the strongest pound for pound guys on the team and he names Block and Bailey.
Didn’t hear Bailey. There are different weight training programs. Most wrestlers aren’t on the kind that is designed to add muscle bulk unless they are like Ben and trying to grow into a weight.