NWCA Coaches Poll Top 25 rankings for college wrestling revealed

The NWCA Coaches Poll top 25 rankings were released ahead of the start of the 2023-24 college wrestling season.

It was the final preseason set of rankings before the season begins this weekend across the sport. The Big Ten is the dominant force in the rankings, but it should shape up to be another great season on the road to Kansas City in March.

Let’s dive into the preseason NWCA Coaches Poll for the 2023-24 college wrestling season.

1. Penn State

This is no surprise as Penn State comes in as the favorite to win another NCAA team title as well as plenty of individual titles. The Nittany Lions haven’t lost a dual meet since 2020.

Carter Starocci (174) and Aaron Brooks (197)  are the returning national titles and both looking for their fourth titles, which would add to a rare club. Greg Kerkvliet (285), Levi Haines (157), Shayne Van Ness (149) and Beau Bartlett (141) are all in contention as well. Heck, pretty much the whole team.

2. Iowa

The Hawkeyes have to replace three-time national champion Spencer Lee at 125 pounds, no easy task. Drake Ayala steps in. Real Woods is a legit contender at 141 once again to give the Hawkeyes a champ.

Jared Franek (157), Victor Voinovich (149) and Michael Caliendo (165) are among the transfers to bolster the middle of the lineup. It could be the dual of the year once again against Penn State as Iowa should be in the running for the top three at the NCAA Tournament as well.

3. NC State

NC State has three combined losses as a team since the 2020 season. The Wolfpack are one of the best programs in the country and still feel underrated. 

Ed Scott (157) and Trent Hidlay (197) are the top title contenders for NC State this season, but the program reloaded all around. Watch out for projected 149 starter Jackson Arrington, who’s just a sophomore going into 2023-24, he finished in the Round of 12 at the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

4. Missouri

Two-time national champion Keegan O’Toole highlights the lineup at 165 pounds. He’s the favorite to three-peat and become one of, if not the best wrestler in program history.

Rocky (197) and Zach Elam (285) return as the dynamic duo at the backend of the lineup. Let’s not forget about Peyton Mocco (174) either. The Tigers are loaded this season. Oh yeah, Brock Mauller is still here (157).

5. Virginia Tech

The lower end of the lineup is awesome. Eddie Ventresca (125) had a tremendous run at NCAAs in March, Sam Latona (133) is also a contender and Caleb Henson (149) got a lot of respect in the preseason. Bryce Andonian (157) is also one of the most talented and exciting wrestlers in the country.

The biggest thing to watch for is Mekhi Lewis (174), who will run it back for one more season. The two-time finalist and 2019 NCAA champion is up against it, but fully healthy, don’t rule him out of a second title.

6. Michigan

The Wolverines reloaded via the NCAA transfer portal and then some. Michael DeAugustino (125), Chris Cannon (133) and Lucas Davison (285) all came over from Northwestern, giving them All-American talent.

However, the big fish was Shane Griffith (174), the 2021 NCAA champion and two-time finalist from Stanford. Cam Amine (165) right in the middle is as solid as it gets. At this team’s peak, it could be a challenger to Penn State and at the very least a contender for a team trophy.

7. Cornell

The Big Red have to replace Yianni Diakomihalis, a four-time NCAA champion. Good luck. But guess what? The former champ hyped up freshman Meyer Shapiro, who steps in at 157, a weight above Diakomihalis. 

Cornell still brings back champion Vito Arujau (133) and contenders Chris Foca (174) and Jacob Cardenas (197). Julian Ramirez should be watched at 165 as well.

8. Ohio State

The Buckeyes continued to build within, a lot of respect for head coach Tom Ryan. Lower weights Nic Bouzakis (133), Jesse Mendez (141) and Dylan D’Emilio (149) should bring a lot of fire. Paddy Gallagher goes at 157 again after Sammy Sasso will likely miss a lot of time, if not the season. The former NCAA finalist was shot this summer and is recovering.

Carson Kharchla is projected to go 174 and is an All-American contender there as well. Gavin Hoffman looks to drop to 184 and is a former All-American at 197 pounds.

9. Nebraska

Brock Hardy (141) is back at the lower weights while Ridge Lovett (149) makes his much anticipated return to the lineup after finishing second in 2022. He finished second in 2022 while just wrestling four matches last year before a medical redshirt.

Peyton Robb recovered from a life threatening skin infection after NCAAs and is expected to go at 157. He’ll be in the title conversation. Lenny Pinto (184) and Silas Allred (197) are a dangerous combo in the upper weights.

10. Iowa State

David Carr highlights the lineup as he tries to win another national title. The 165 pounder finished second last year and third at 157 in 2022. He won his lone title in 2021 at 157.

The Cyclones went to the portal and added Will Feldkamp (184) from Clarion to give them an All-American candidate up top. Yonger Bastida (285) is a very underrated heavyweight that could spoil the party.

Rest of NWCA College Wrestling Top 25

11. Oklahoma State
12. South Dakota State
13. Arizona State
14. Minnesota
15. Rutgers
16. Pittsburgh
17. Northern Iowa
18. Wisconsin
19. Lehigh
T-20. Oklahoma
T-20. Oregon State
22. Penn
23. Illinois
24. Northwestern
25. North Carolina

With the first top 25 rankings in the books, it’s time to hit the mats this weekend. With the calendar moving to November, wrestling season is about to be in full swing.