Minnesota wrestling releases statement on possible Gable Steveson return

Minnesota wrestling released a statement on the possible return of heavyweight Gable Steveson, amid reports of a college comeback.

Steveson initially retired from the sport after the 2022 NCAA Wrestling Championships, after he won his second national title. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist is reportedly coming back for his final year of eligibility, but did not specify Minnesota.

But the Gophers wrestling program addressed the Steveson speculation Wednesday, welcoming him back should he choose.

“Gable is a generational talent and one of the most accomplished athletes – regardless of sport – in school and state history,” the statement read. “He is an Olympic gold medalist, a two-time NCAA champion, a three-time Big Ten champion, and we are excited about the opportunity of him returning to Minnesota for one final season.

“The two-time Hodge Trophy winner and Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient is the most entertaining athlete in collegiate sports, and we are thrilled about the possibility of being able to watch him compete once again as a Gopher.”

Will Gable Steveson return to college wrestling? That's the biggest question now after his reported return and curious statement from the program. We're all eager …@On3sports x @GopherWrestling

READ: https://t.co/sShSX9z7Lz pic.twitter.com/20sfFXH73t

— Nick Kosko (@nickkosko59) July 7, 2023

Big Ten Network’s Shane Sparks wouldn’t be surprised in the age of NIL and the transfer portal if Steveson finished off his career at a different school.

Although, the general consensus is Steveson will return to Minnesota for his final season to capture his third national title while he balances his rising WWE career.

Steveson’s potential return comes amid his victory at Final X where he earned the United State World Team spot at 125 KG. He’ll attempt to win another international gold medal.

At the college level, Steveson finished with 86-2 over the course of four seasons at Minnesota. The 2020 campaign ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and he finished third at the 2019 NCAA Tournament.

In the present day, Steveson has a goal of more Olympic Gold, this time in the 2024 games in Paris. Safe to say, amateur wrestling internationally and collegiately is still there, despite his training for the WWE.

“The itch and fire will never go away,” Steveson said. “And I feel like if you ask any competitor, old or young, I think it’s always there. But some people just don’t have the bodies to do it because they’re a little older. But I think me just turning 23, I still had that extra fire and I want to see what I could do. I wanted to test my limits. And so I stayed ready just in case the time came where I could come back.”