Nasir Bailey at the 2021 Walsh Ironman (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Little Rock got some great news on the recruiting front today as they received a verbal commitment from Nasir Bailey (Rich Township, IL), #28 overall in the Class of 2023 and currently ranked fourth in the nation at 138 lbs. Should that ranking amongst his class hold up, or perhaps improve, it would make Bailey the highest ranked recruit to sign with the Trojans in the short history. This afternoon Bailey made his intentions public via social media. Bailey initially was committed to North Carolina.
Bailey is a two-time Illinois state champion, winning as a freshman and junior. During the 2020-21 season, one where Illinois did not have an official state tournament, Bailey won another in Texas.
On the national scene, Bailey won a Fargo stop sign last summer in the Junior age group at 132 lbs. He followed that with a title at the Walsh Ironman at the same weight class. It was his second time placing at the Ironman, he was fifth in 2019. This spring, Bailey was fourth at the U20 World Team Trials in freestyle.
Up next for Bailey is a meeting with this Junior Freestyle champion from Fargo in #1 Ryder Block (Waverly-Shell Rock, IA), an Iowa recruit.
In addition to Nasir, his older brother Bilal has already transferred to Little Rock from Campbell. Though Bilal was 3-4 last season for the Camels, his record is a bit deceiving. All four of his losses came by a single point and two were to eventual national qualifiers.
Nasir projects between 141 and 149 lbs for the Trojans. Little Rock's recruiting efforts should be lauded as they identified and signed one of Fargo's bigger surprises #45 Kyle Dutton (Liberty, MO). Dutton won a loaded 145 lb weight class and was named Outstanding Wrestler. Another signee, #54 Brennan Van Hoecke (Palmetto Ridge, FL), won the Greco tournament.
For all of the up-to-date commitments, check out InterMat's commitment page.
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