Gable Steveson opens up on return to Minnesota: 'I'm excited for people to see the new, older version of me'

There’s a new version of Gable Steveson present in college wrestling. The 2021 Olympic Gold Medalist and two-time NCAA champion returned to Minnesota and college wrestling after over two years away from the sport.

Following stints with the WWE and Buffalo Bills, Steveson opted to use his final year of eligibility after thinking about it last season. Since he had the final year, there was no other place to go but Minnesota as he applied for a redshirt waiver, got it granted and is coming back for legacy.

Steveson is expected to make his debut Sunday at home against Campbell, where he’ll take on top 10 heavyweight Taye Ghadiali.

“We tried it last year, it just wasn’t the best time, especially just with the training situation,” Steveson said. “I feel like I didn’t have enough to put out a good product. And I feel now with the time that we had built up, we definitely had a good product to put out, and I’m excited for people to see the new, older version of me. And I mean, I might be close to one of the oldest guys in NCAA, but it’s (alright).”

Head coach Brandon Eggum made it a point to try and get Steveson back in the Minnesota wrestling room, at least in an official capacity.

“I’ve been here ever since, since I left, so I continuously came in, and so it was just a waiting time of, when can we possibly get it done,” Steveson said. “And after Buffalo happened, I did a few tryouts with the Colts, Ravens, and I was supposed to go to the New Orleans Saints also, but we sat down right after Buffalo … And he was just like, you have the year left, you have the Olympic redshirt left. If you want to use it, you can use it. And so I think right then and there was kind of just like, like a team hasn’t taken me yet. 

“Maybe I should go back and restart and get in front of the home crowd again and get that itch to be who I was once again.”

Gable Steveson eager to show he’s ‘best in the world’ again

Eggum didn’t hold back either. The Gophers coach knows how good Steveson is, even two years away from college wrestling.

“This guy’s not just the best in the country, but the best in the world,” Eggum said. “I think everybody’s watched him wrestle and so, you know, we get a chance, he’s still been coming in the room, he’s still competing with our guys. You know, he’s just more mature and stuff. And with that, especially just a man in general, you see, physically he’s continued to mature. He’s gotten stronger, the competitive part of him, it’s insane. I’ve never seen anybody like him before. He’s a really easy guy to corner because he’s so light hearted, easy going, joking. So it’s very easy to be in his corner. 

“But when it’s time to come out and compete, I’ve never seen anybody like him, he gets up for the challenge. He’s excited. He lives for that moment to be under the light. So yeah, he’s just a more mature individual. He’s stronger physically. I watch him in the room, when he comes in and competes against some amazing heavyweights that we have here. And, yeah, he’s just, he’s ready to go.”

With Steveson’s anticipated debut coming Sunday, he’s itching to throw the Minnesota singlet back on.

“I’m already ready to go,” Steveson said. “I was ready to go last week, but this week, I’m even more ready, and then next week I’ll be more ready, and then when March comes, I’ll be the most ready, readiest man on Earth, with the most greatest performance you guys ever see. So I’ve always wanted to do it for you guys and the casual viewer at home and our die hard fans that show up every Sunday and Friday to watch …

“Definitely excited. I’ve never really been one to get nervous before a wrestling match. It’s just more anxious and excitement just to say, I’ve already showed up and sat in the building for two hours, like, can I go out on a mat yet? And so that’s always been the hardest thing. And I think Sunday just put on a flawless performance and show the world who Gable Steveson is, because I know who he is.”