The Tigers are graduating ten seniors, including four starters. They’ve had back to back top ten recruiting classes and will be looking to reload but have some slots that could have them looking in the transfer portal. Evan Bates, Max Mayfield, and Teague Travis were all high profile transfers that performed well in the regular season but injuries and shortened schedule affected them in the post season.
The portal opened April 1st and has a number of names that Mizzou can be connected with. It’s difficult to tell with NIL and various reasons where guys will end up but Mizzou can make a case at multiple spots. Here are the weights that I think they could be looking for some additions and some names that could fit. Usually there are two portal waves, the first one when it initially opens and a second one as teams fill slots and other wrestlers transfer out.
The biggest needs Mizzou has is looking like 141 and 197. I think depending on weight changes with the current team you could also look at 133 or heavyweight. The team seems pretty set at 125, 149, 174, and 184 with returning starters. There is good depth at 157 and 165 but with some young intriguing talent. They could look to add in someone if the fit is right and they feel like the younger wrestlers need more development but I see those weights as lower priorities. Here are some targets at 133/141 and 197/285 the Tigers could be looking at.
133/141lbs:
Potential Targets:
- Nicolar Rivera (SR); 2x Qualifier
- Zan Fugitt (JR); 2x Qualifier, 2025 All-American
- Greyson Clark (SR); 2x Qualifier
- Tom Crook (SR); 3x Qualifier
Mizzou has Gage Walker who had a solid postseason and two-time qualifier Kade Moore here. Moore was the starter at the start of 2025 before Walker had his redshirt pulled. Both are solid options but it seems like the coaches want a higher floor from Moore, and Walker could still redshirt.
Rivera and Fugitt aren’t the only two in the portal around this weight but two that could fit well with one year left. That would allow for Walker to redshirt and still have a solid starter with a high floor. Rivera is actually a two-time qualifier at 125 and made the bloodround in 2025 while at Wisconsin. He had some struggles this season but if he wants to move back up to 133 could be a good fit, especially if he comes with Zan Fugitt.
