The 2025-2026 season is coming up quickly and the Missouri Tigers are looking to bounce back after a challenging finish last year. They’re expected to have new starters at 125, 141, 165, 184, 197, and 285. Right now they’re starting the season ranked #18 in duals and #24 in tournaments. They graduated Keegan O’Toole, but he’s sticking around on the coaching staff. To help they’ve brought in some solid transfers in Maxx Mayfield and Evan Bates, along with back to back top ten recruiting classes. This team has a lot of upside but with a mix of new faces and returning veterans.
Weight Previews:
- 125lbs: Mack Mauger – Where can he establish himself in a chaotic weight class?
- 133lbs: Kade Moore/Gage Walker – Who wins the spot and what can they do?
- 141lbs: Seth Mendoza – How high can the true freshman climb?
- 149lbs: Josh Edmond – How does he look back up a weight?
- 157lbs: J Conway – Can he take another jump this season?
- 165lbs: Maxx Mayfield – Can he continue Mizzou’s strong history at this weight?
- 174lbs: Cam Steed – Can he stay healthy and make the finals?
- 184lbs: Aeoden Sinclair – Can he potentially join Steed in the finals?
- 197lbs: Evan Bates – Can the coaching staff get him to be a conference title contender?
- 285lbs: Jarrett Stoner – What can he do with a full season?
Let’s dive in:
125lbs: Mack Mauger – Where can he establish himself in a chaotic weight class?
Of wrestlers that made the bloodround last season, ten return. In the Big 12 it returns four of the top six. Right now I think Mack can be an NCAA qualifier, but past that it is tough to say. He was very consistent in high school with a legendary Fargo career, but that transition to college is always difficult.
He had flashes while redshirting but I do worry about his lack of offense at times. If he can open up a bit more early in his career then I could see him taking a few more losses but grow by the end of the season to challenge for the round of 16/bloodround.
133lbs: Kade Moore/Gage Walker – Who wins the spot and what can they do?
Kade is quiety a solid two-time NCAA qualifier but has yet to get a win at the tournament. He has shown a high ceiling within matches and some big wins but has struggled to put it all together. His high flying style is entertaining, but last season he wasn’t able to consistently score and win his positions.
Meanwhile Gage unexpectedly had his redshirt pulled and came close to big wins but wasn’t able to make it to NCAA’s. The weight cut had a clear effect on him, and it sounds like the move to 133 has been positive. Where Kade wins big scrambles and highlight moments, Gage has a great top game and some solid neutral offense.
My expectation for either wrestler is to qualify in a solid Big 12 conference. While I do enjoy Kade’s highlights and fun style, I lean towards Gage as a more consistent option. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this go back and forth at times through the season. The big question is if they can take the next step to be a podium contender. 133 is stacked this season but even getting to the round of 16/bloodround would be much needed points for the future.
141lbs: Seth Mendoza – How high can the true freshman climb?
This weight class returns six All-Americans in a veteran heavy weight. Mendoza is as blue chip as it gets and I think should be an immediate podium threat. He has the length, scrambling, and offense to succeed in college quickly.
The biggest question is his bottom skills, but I don’t think he’ll have issues against a majority of wrestlers. But with so much experience returning it makes it difficult to have sky high expectations.
