Projecting the lineup: 2025-26 Iowa men's wrestling

A day after my early lineup projection for the powerhouse Iowa women’s wrestling team, we return to complete the same exercise for the men.

And with the start of the 2025-26 season barely one month away there’s still a whole lot of intrigue surrounding these new-look Hawkeyes.

Iowa returns six postseason starters from a year ago – including four All-Americans. And yet, there’s a chance as many as 7/10 spots in the lineup are changed over by the time this new campaign takes its final form.

That’s in so small part due to a quartet of talented transfers who joined the Hawkeyes this offseason.

We won’t know anything for certain until March, of course. But that doesn’t mean we can’t speculate to our collective heart’s content in the interim.

So, let’s begin – starting with a weight a which nothing is set in stone despite a returning national qualifier.

125 pounds – Peterson presents potential placer, with plenty of talented depth to push him

One of those aforementioned transfers is Dean Peterson – who arrived in Iowa City by way of Rutgers.

In three seasons for the Scarlet Knights, Peterson amassed a 62-28 record – one littered with high-level wins, but also enough inconsistency to keep him off the podium at NCAAs thus far.

If the two-time bloodround finisher can find that consistency at Iowa, he’ll have every opportunity to far exceed his #10 preseason ranking by Intermat.

**I’ll refer to Intermat’s rankings throughout the season because they’ve been the Big Ten Network’s publication of choice in recent years.**

While not a slight at Iowa’s returning starter, Peterson’s addition would suggest the coaching staff was less than satisfied with the production it got at 125 pounds a year ago. And so, NCAA qualifier Joey Cruz (16-14) seems likely to fill a back-up role in 2025-26.

Meanwhile, another intriguing newcomer is New Jersey native Leo DeLuca – Iowa’s highest rated 2025 recruit.

The #1 120-pound prospect in America is both a major talent and no stranger to top training/competition by way of powerhouse Blair Academy.

If he proves to be Division I ready as a freshman, it would not be a surprise to see Iowa utilize him strategically whilst maintaining his redshirt – similar to what we’ve seen with Gabe Arnold, Angelo Ferrari and Ben Kueter in recent years.

The Hawkeyes also return a trio of redshirt freshmen who’ll be in their second season with the program.

Projection:

• #10 Dean Peterson (RS SR)
• Joey Cruz (RS JR)
• Dru Ayala (RS FR) OR Keyan Hernandez (RS FR) OR Anthony Lavezzola (RS FR)
• Leo DeLuca (FR) *redshirt*

133 pounds – Ayala takes aim at final title shot

There’s neither mystery nor newcomers at 133.

This is Drake Ayala’s weight, and he’s got only one thing on his mind – Big Ten/NCAA titles.

Despite back-to-back appearances in the national finals, first-place hardware at both the Big Ten and NCAA Championships has eluded the redshirt season thus far in his career.

With one last shot, perhaps the Fort Dodge native can travel a path similar to that of another Iowan a few years ago – when Cory Clark closed his Hawkeye career with an NCAA title (2017) after finishing runner up each of the previous two seasons.

Also listed at 133 on the current roster is Kale Petersen. who saw spot-starting duty a year ago.

The redshirt sophomore made an unsuccessful bid for the job at 125 before ultimately finishing the season at 133 – including a runner-up performance at the Soldier Salute (losing 20-5 to Ayala).

Projection:

• #2 Drake Ayala (RS SR)
• Kale Petersen (RS Soph)

141 pounds – Bailey brings new energy, high ceiling

The next transfer-turned-potential-starter of this exercise is Nasir Bailey.

A two-time Pac-12 champion for (Arkansas) Little Rock, Bailey boasts a 51-9 record halfway through his collegiate career.

With the move to Iowa City, he’ll be hoping to recapture, if not surpass his 2024 NCAA performance (fourth at 133).

The Illinois native disappointingly finished off the podium as a sophomore after entering as the #3 seed.

Amongst a whole new level of training/expectations compared to his previous stop, Bailey has all the tools necessary to challenge some of the top guys at his new weight class. And if he does, his preseason ranking (#11) will be long forgotten come March.

A probable back-up to Bailey is redshirt junior Jace Rhodes.

The veteran from Mason City went 5-3 last season at 141 pounds – splitting a pair of dual bouts against Wisconsin/Oklahoma State when called upon.

He’s technically listed at 133 on the current roster, but this feels like the more likely spot for Rhodes in 2025-26.

Projection:

• #11 Nasir Bailey (JR)
• Jace Rhodes (RS JR)

149 pounds – A four-man free-for-all?

A weight class with countless permutations for Iowa, the only obvious ‘solution’ at 149 is if my presumptive starter at 157 competes for the job instead.

(More on him in a bit.)

As things stand now, it appears as though brothers Victor and Kael Voinovich, as well as Miguel Estrada could all challenge for the spot. And that’s not including a wildcard like Ryder Block – whose exact weight/health remain a bit of a mystery at present.

Based on last season, Estrada might figure to have a leg up – having burned his redshirt while competing resiliently at both 149/157 pounds against several highly-ranked foes.

Then again, he did lose at the Soldier Salute to fellow first-year Hawkeye Kael Voinovich (4-1 in sudden victory).

The younger Voinovich finished 17-6 – including the victory over Estrada – while preserving his redshirt.

But his older brother Victor – a 2023 NCAA qualifier – could have something to say about things after missing the 2024-25 season due to injury.

He’s been active on the freestyle scene this summer for his native Serbia, including a 1-1 showing at September’s Senior World Championships.

And what about Block (who remains listed at 141, by the way)?

The Waverly Shell-Rock grad has been snakebitten by injuries early in his Iowa career. But IF he’s healthy – and at perhaps a more suitable weight for his tall frame – I still really like his potential.

It wouldn’t shock me if any of these four emerged as the guy at 149, or perhaps any of the three if Estrada were to take the redshirt year he selflessly burned last season.

North Dakotan Koye Grebel rounds out the group despite a curious listed weight of his own (133) on the ‘official’ roster.

Projection:

• #27 Victor Voinovich III (RS SR) OR Miguel Estrada (Soph) OR Kael Voinovich (RS FR) OR Ryder Block (RS Soph)
• Koye Grebel (RS Soph)

157 pounds – The ‘Iceman’ Cometh

The other half of the dynamic Little Rock duo making its way to Iowa City this season is Jordan Williams.

Formerly of Oklahoma State, the well-traveled junior will hopefully find personal stability while reaching his wrestling potential as a Hawkeye.

Last year’s #8 seed at 149 pounds, Williams (26-6) took the reigning national champion (#1 Caleb Henson) to sudden victory in the NCAA quarterfinals.

A subsequent bloodround loss kept him off the podium, but the 2025 Pac-12 champ is certainly talented enough to go even further in the Black & Gold singlet.

Nicknamed the ‘Iceman’ during his prolific prep career thanks to a propensity for clutch, match-winning moves – if he can keep cool and continue improving there’s no reason he can’t crack into a salty upper tier at 157.

A career 149-pounder so far, it’s feasible Williams could compete there again this season. But he’s listed at 157 on the roster, so he’ll remain here for the time being.

Absent Williams, Iowa’s next best option is almost certainly one/any of the contenders I previously discussed at 149.

Both Isaiah Fenton and Joseph Kennedy have minimal experience and/or notable results to date.

Projection:

• #12 Jordan Williams (RS JR)
• Isaiah Fenton (RS Soph)
• Joseph Kennedy (RS FR)

165 pounds – Caliennnnnnndo

Another multi-year staple in the Iowa lineup, Michael Caliendo returns for one last crack at NCAA glory.

We all know the deal. Penn State’s Mitchell Mesenbrink is the mountain Caliendo must summit – all the while continuing to fend off every other challenger behind him.

Unless I’m mistaken, no other current NCAA wrestler has ever beaten Caliendo in a college folkstyle match.

And yet, all three of his losses last season came to Mesenbrink – including competitive Big Ten/NCAA finals.

Like I said, we all know the deal here.

Besides Caliendo, Iowa’s only other listed options at 165 are lightly-used senior Sebastian Robles and true freshman Leister Bowling IV.

I’d very much expected Bowling – an excellent Greco-Roman prospect – to redshirt in year one.

Projection:

• #2 Michael Caliendo (RS SR)
• Sebastian Robles (RS SR)
• Leister Bowling IV (FR) *redshirt*

174 pounds – Will PK be challenged/prevail once again?

At long last, we’ve reached the final chapter in the Hawkeye career of Patrick Kennedy.

After COVID/traditional redshirts, the Minnesota native suffered a pair of disappointing NCAA finishes before finally getting on the podium this past March.

Now, he returns for a sixth and final year accompanied by a number two preseason ranking beside his name.

Assuming fair health, the only way he isn’t Iowa’s guy at 174 pounds is if another Hawkeye were to take it from him. And the only guy who could possibly pull that off is Gabe Arnold.

After an odd month-long summer saga during which Arnold was off and then back on the Iowa roster, the redshirt sophomore remains there as this season approaches.

Where is his wrestling at? What weight will he go? And what exactly happened this summer?

All of these are questions we’ll hopefully have better answers to following Media Day on October 29^th. But until then, I’ve slotted Arnold at 174 because I firmly believe it’s his best shot at making the lineup – so long as he’s all system go.

The only other option would seem to be a return to 184, where he was good-not-great last season (and remains listed on Iowa’s roster).

But as you’ll see in the forthcoming section, that spot appears to be very firmly in the grasp of one of Arnold’s teammates.

**Editor’s note: it turns out Gabe Arnold himself weighed in on the matter earlier today.**

174 https://t.co/4XrepQAL90

— Gabriel Arnold (@Gabe174Arnold) October 2, 2025

Of final note, freshman Ty Miller (ranked 80^th in the 2025 class by Flo) is listed at both 174/184 pounds.

Projection:

• #2 Patrick Kennedy (6^th YR SR)
• Gabe Arnold (RS Soph)
• Ty Miller (FR) *redshirt*

184 pounds – All gas no brakes

Even amidst several senior stalwarts, four talented transfers plus other young, high-ceiling wrestlers on the 2025-26 Iowa roster, the answer as to whom Hawkeye fans are most anticipating watching compete this season is obvious:

Angelo Ferrari.

Ranked third in Intermat’s preseason rankings, Ferrari’s redshirt season was as memorable as any in recent Hawkeye history.

He wrestled in massive rivalry duals against Iowa State, Penn State and Oklahoma State.

His only loss in 12 matches was to five-time NCAA champion Carter Starocci.

And even so, he’s still yet to give up a takedown in his college career.

Oh yeah, and his final bout of the year was a legend-making win over a returning NCAA finalist – one that proved critical to Iowa warding off the Cowboys.

Ferrari enters a 184-pound weight class loaded with other young talent and will have no shortage of opportunities to face most of them as he pursues an NCAA title as a redshirt freshman.

Fellow redshirt freshmen Brody Sampson and Jake Howell join Ferrari at 184 on the current roster – though both are listed at 197 as well.

Projection:

• #3 Angelo Ferrari (RS FR)
• Brody Sampson (RS FR)
• Jake Howell (RS FR)

197 pounds – The man of mystery (and the future behind him)

There are ‘question marks’ at various spots in Iowa’s prospective lineup, but there’s only one weight that I’d go so far as to deem a total mystery.

And that’s because of Massoma Endene.

An unheralded recruit turned three-time (Division III) NCAA champion, Endene was brought in this offseason to presumably fill the massive shoes of Iowa’s departing D1 champ Stephen Buchanan.

But how will that idea play out in reality? I’m not certain anyone knows for sure.

A 76-1 record at Wartburg College – including 33 pins – sure sounds good. So too, does a seventh-place finish at the 2024 U23 World Championships – where Endene’s only defeats were competitive bouts against prior U20 World silver medalists.

But then again, one of those was at Division III Wartburg and other was at a freestyle tournament halfway around the world.

A wrestling mind I trust implicitly – and who knows Endene’s skills/accolades well – believes he has All-American potential this season.

All (I think) I know is that he was brought to Iowa City for a reason and has had an incredible training environment (including Stephen Buchanan) to prepare for the season ahead.

How will it all manifest once the first whistle blows? That remains a mystery – at least to me.

Meanwhile, another top-ranked recruit waits in the wings (a la 125) – he too, a Jersey boy.

Harvey Ludington graduated high school this spring as a three-time state champion and the #1 prospect in America at 190 pounds.

Will he get any competitive dual opportunities to strut his stuff? Or, if Endene is the guy, will Iowa’s staff want to get him as many high-caliber matches as possible throughout the season?

Either way, the long-term future at 197 would appear to have arrived in the Iowa room this summer.

Projection:

• #16 Massoma Endene (6^th YR SR)
• Brody Sampson (RS FR) OR Jake Howell (RS FR)
• Harvey Ludington (FR) *redshirt*

285 pounds – Big Ben returns to wide-open weight class

For the first time in ages, it feels like wrestlers at heavyweight can dare to dream.

Gone are the likes of Gable Steveson, Wyatt Hendrickson, Greg Kerklviet – and Mason Parris before them. Even the long-tenured (enormous) Cholton Schultz has vacated the division.

Left in their wake is the next wave of athletic big men looking to maintain the weight class’s newfound entertainment factor.

Squarely among them is Iowa sophomore Ben Kueter, who’s eighth-place, NCAA debut finish has Hawkeye fans anticipating far greater things in 2025-26.

Kueter was effective, if rarely offensive during his first full season as a college wrestler – a far cry from the exploits that earned him folk hero status as an Iowa prep, or World gold/silver medals at the U20 age level.

If he can tap back into some of those old habits – all the while continuing to mature as a collegiate heavyweight – his ceiling is as high as anyone’s at weight.

April hip surgery nixed any opportunity to dabble in football over the past six months. And Kueter has since recovered and returned to the mat.

Depending on his continued development over the next six months, it wouldn’t stun me if Kueter is one of several Hawkeyes in realistic contention for an NCAA title come March.

Once again, he’s backed up by fellow Iowa natives Easton Fleshman and Gage Marty.

Projection:

• #5 Ben Kueter (RS Soph)
• Easton Fleshman (RS JR) OR Gage Marty (RS JR)

Short time

That’s it, that’s all.

We’ve done it, folks.

Another day and another soup to nuts lineup preview for Iowa wrestling.

Again, if you missed yesterday’s women’s preview I’d encourage you to go check that out when you get the chance.

Meanwhile, the countdown to the 2025-26 season continues.

It’ll be here before you know it, so savor the little free time you’ve got left. Because once the calendar turns to November there is no let up until late Saturday night, March 21^st.

Thanks to everyone as always for reading, and if for some reason you’re jonesing for even more of my (lengthy) wrestling thoughts – I also joined Tom and Kyle on last night’s Hawkeye Report podcast to discuss both the men’s and women’s programs.

OK, seriously – that’s all from me.

Thanks again and I’ll talk to you guys real soon.