The Tigers return a lineup filled with established veterans, high level transfers, and some exciting freshmen looking to make an impact. Most of the spots appear to be locked in, but there are some questions at a handful of weights. With a large incoming class they reloaded with some quality depth at multiple spots, and the new five for five eligibility rules means that we should be seeing them compete even more this season.
There are some questions as to what freshman go what weight as well that could create some intriguing battles to spot start in duals and get fture opportunities as well. All in all they have a team that should be a top ten contender with multiple All-American contenders.
125lbs
Projected Starter: Mack Mauger – RS Sophomore
Backup: Hank Benter – RS Freshman
Depth: Will Pfeifer – TR Freshman
Mauger returns after a 21-16 season that saw him qualify for his first NCAA tournament. He went 4-13 against fellow qualifiers, and seven of those losses were with a takedown. Mauger was rarely out of a match last season but struggled on bottom and with consistent scoring from neutral. If he can make small adjustments headed into this season he is someone that could take a big jump in a tough weight class.
Behind him the projected backup is Columbia native Hank Benter. He’s coming off a 3-8 redshirt season with mixed results but exciting matches. Benter was lanky and had some adjustment to college moments, but his motor and top work either kept him in matches or scoring bonus points. I don’t think he’ll challenge Mauger but is a solid development piece at 125.
Past Benter is incoming freshman Will Pfeifer. A Liberty HS grad, Pfeifer was a bit off the radar and unranked nationally but coming off a runner-up finish at state this season. He’s coming from a blue chip program and it never hurts to load up on lightweights.
133lbs:
Projected Starter: Gage Walker – TR Junior
Backup: Kade Moore – RS Senior
Depth: Boogie Harris – RS Freshman; Jason Hampton – TR Freshman
Another returning Tiger starter is Walker, who had his redshirt pulled in the second semester. Now with the five for five Walker will have two years remaining without a redshirt. He had mixed results in duals but a solid postseason saw him finish with an 13-9 record and was 4-9 against qualifiers. He was 4th at Big 12’s and went 1-2 at NCAA’s with losses to the 4th and 7th place All-Americans. Walker seemed to really start putting some things together in the post season with some big wins and closer losses to contenders. He may get challenged with fellow qualifier and veteran Kade Moore, but if either wrestler can improve their consistency they could see a big jump this year.
Moore was the starter initially last season but lost the spot once Walker came in. Moore was 7-6 while starting last season and had a near highlight moment with putting returning champ Lucas Byrd on his back in the dual. Moore has big move potential in every match and is clearly dangerous against the top ranked wrestlers but those tendencies also put him out of matches occasionally, even when wrestling unranked wrestlers. He has an arguably higher ceiling with individual wins but until he can string multiple together I expect Walker to keep in the driver’s seat.
The Tigers have some solid young depth here with Harris and Hampton. Boogie Harris is coming off a redshirt season where he went 2-6 against D1 competition and 5-8 overall. Hampton was a late addition to this class and a four-time Illinois state placer coming off a runner-up finish. He was previously committed to SIUE before flipping. With Walker and Moore returning it gives some good time to allow for these two young wrestlers to develop.
141lbs:
Projected Starter: Zan Fugitt – RS Junior
Backup: Easton Hilton – RS Senior
Depth: Yandel Morales – TR Freshman; Zion Borge – TR Freshman
One of two high-profile transfers starting with Fugitt, a Nixa MO native who spent his first three years at Wisconsin. He was an All-American as a freshman but a tough cut seemed to affect this season as he went 1-2 at NCAA’s. Now in his home state and up a weight class, Fugitt is someone that fans should be excited for. He’s used to a gruelling Big 10 schedule and has wins over multiple All-Americans. It sounds like he’s been learning a lot in the room so he is someone fans and coaches are looking to make the podium this year while adding some consistency to this weight class from last season.