The list of top ten wrestlers coming off redshirt does not include freshmen who came in and were put immediately into redshirt. Though all of them have a valid freshness date, this list is only concerned with those that have already completed a full NCAA wrestling season.
Let the debating begin. It's a long, hot summer, but wrestling season is on just the other side of autumn so it's always best to be prepared.
Andrew Howe fell to Kyle Dake at the 2013 U.S. World Team Trials (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)About Howe: After an epic offseason that saw him come within a takedown of a rematch with Jordan Burroughs for a spot on the 2103 World Team, Andrew Howe is back for a full collegiate season. Between redshirts, greyshirts and injuries, the sixth-year senior and 2011 NCAA champion has the most decorated career of anyone coming back this season. Despite making 74 kilos for the World Team Trials, Howe is likely headed to 174 pounds. where he will be facing off against defending NCAA champion Chris Perry (Oklahoma State) and NCAA runner-up Matt Brown (Penn State).
Oklahoma assistant wrestling coach Jared Frayer on Howe: "Same as earlier, he expects to win and dominate throughout the entire season. By the time the season starts he will be as healthy as he has been in three years, and that is scary. Andrew is another that leads by example, but will voice himself to a teammate behind the scenes. We are all excited to finally see him in the Crimson and Cream."
Austin Marsden earned a spot on the Junior World Team (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)About Marsden: The Oklahoma State heavyweight will look to fill the hole left by uber-talented Russian Alan "Z" Gelogaev, who placed fourth in the NCAAs. Mardsen, who qualified for the 2012 NCAA tournament after being pulled from redshirt late in the season, finished his inaugural campaign with an impressive 27-5 record and a runner-up finish in the Big 12. Head coach John Smith and Cowboy nation will be expecting Mardsen to accomplish more in 2014, and could open the season ranked in the top five nationally.
Oklahoma State head wrestling coach John Smith on Marsden: "I think he's ready to help his team. I think he has a chance to do some things this year, and I'm really excited to watch him develop and grow more as a part of this team."
Nick Gwiazdowski (N.C. State)
About Gwiazdowski: A 2012 transfer from Binghamton to N.C. State, Gwiazdowski was a freshman All-American for the Bearcats before settling into a productive redshirt season in Raleigh. A definite All-American candidate in 2013, Gwiazdowski used the 2012-2013 redshirt year to compete in several national tournaments in both freestyle and folkstyle. He had two wins over two-time NCAA champion Tony Nelson (Minnesota) at the World Team Trials, including a 9-0 technical fall victory in the opening round. He posted a 20-1 record during the collegiate season where he won three tournaments.
N.C. State head wrestling coach Pat Popolizio on Gwiazdowski: "Nick has made big strides this season as a redshirt. He has improved both technically and mentally. He has gained a lot of confidence by placing third in this year's World Team Trials. One of Nick's goals this past season was to add some size and muscle mass, with the help of our strength coach, Brian Tatum, he was able to accomplish this. Nick will go into this season with high expectations. His goal is to win an NCAA title."
Jarrod Patterson is a three-time NCAA qualifier at 125 (Photo/Austin Bernard)About Patterson: The lightweight among Oklahoma head coach Mark Cody's trio of stud redshirts, Patterson will be looking for his second All-American plaque. The three-time NCAA qualifier will once again compete at 125 pounds, where he's won 10 matches at the NCAA tournament. Patterson will have significant help in the lineup, and should he maintain his top ten ranking throughout the season will be in position to add to his collection of hardware come March.
Frayer on Patterson: "Our expectations and his are the same, and that is to win an NCAA title. He has had all the best guys on the ropes, and this year off has allowed him to figure out how to finish the big matches. Jarrod has been a constant with the two staffs changing, and leads by silent example, a small town Oklahoma guy who works his tail off. What excites us is that he got what he wanted from this redshirt year, he matured mentally and got his love for the game back. Patterson will surprise come March.
Travis Rutt (Oklahoma)
About Rutt: Rutt, a transfer from the University of Wisconsin along with Andrew Howe, is among the best wrestlers in the nation to take a late-career redshirt. The All-American has his eyes on an NCAA title. There to assist him in his goal is head coach Mark Cody who has plenty of experience leading big guys to the NCAA finals, including NCAA champion Josh Glenn of American. Should Rutt find a spot in the finals alongside Howe and possibly Patterson, then he'll certify that Oklahoma made the correct decision in redshirting the team's three stars in 2013.
Frayer on Rutt: "Definitely shows the big men how it's done. During his redshirt year he got his folkstyle legs back under him after an Olympic redshirt in Greco. Travis has also gotten bigger, which will allow him to focus on his wrestling, and not so much cutting weight. We expect Travis to be in the title hunt come March."
Daniel Mitchell (American)
About Mitchell: A three-time NCAA qualifier coming into a fifth-year senior season can be a powerful tool. Mitchell, who wrestled much of his career under Mark Cody, is a preseason All-American candidate at 197 pounds, and just the type of wrestler that head wrestling coach Teague Moore will want to be in the lead of his young, dynamic squad.
American University head wrestling coach Teague Moore on Mitchell: "Danny spent a lot of time on technique development during his redshirt season and is very prepared for 2013-14. Danny will contend for the NCAA title in March. I was most impressed with his maturity to analyze his own wrestling and see areas that were in need of improvement."
Morgan McIntosh went 18-10 as a true freshman in 2011-12 and qualified for the NCAAs (Photo/Bill Ennis)About McIntosh: The California native was among head coach Cael Sanderson's most prized recruits heading into the 2011-2012 season. Though many thought he might redshirt out of high school, McIntosh, who wrestles 197 pounds, instead chose to compete and earned a spot in the NCAA Championships where he finished 1-2. Surrounded by a wealth of talent, McIntosh has the training to dramatically improve his finish over two seasons prior. Though he'll be expecting an All-American campaign, he'll have to battle a few wrestlers on this list alone.
Penn State head wrestling coach Cael Sanderson on McIntosh: "Morgan had a great redshirt year. He's bigger, stronger and better technically. He is ready to challenge for the national championship."
Mason Beckman (Lehigh)
About Beckman: A redshirt sophomore when he takes the mat this season, the Pennsylvania kid is one of head coach Pat Santoro's most competent wrestlers heading into the 2013-2014 season. Beckman, who wrestled 125 before moving to 133 in his freshman season, went 1-2 at the NCAA tournament with an overall record of (27-11). Like most redshirts he's sure to see massive improvement after a year of battling in the room.
Lehigh University head wrestling coach Pat Santoro on Beckman: "Mason and the coaching staff have high expectations for this coming season. He has done everything right during his redshirt. He has become more aggressive and has filled into a nice size 133-pounder. He can score a lot of points and should be a lot of fun to watch this year."
Stephen Dutton (Michigan)
About Dutton: The New York native and two-time NCAA qualifier for Lehigh sat out the 2013 season after transferring to the Michigan program in July of 2012. Now ready-to-compete for the Blue, Dutton is looking to capture his first All-American trophy and help head coach McFarland reestablish his program as one of the best in the Big Ten.
Michigan assistant wrestling coach Sean Bormet on Dutton: "Coming off his redshirt year, Steve knows he has two great years ahead of him. He is a competitor, has excellent leg attacks, and is very tough on top. Steve is excited to compete and embrace the challenges ahead and we are excited to have the opportunity to coach him at Michigan."
Devin Carter was named Outstanding Wrestler at the Dave Schultz Memorial (Photo/Larry Slater)About Carter: An absolute monster at any weight he wrestles, the former 133-pound wrestler should be heading up to compete at 141 pounds in 2014. Carter took off the 2013 season where he won the Dave Shultz Memorial and was also named Outstanding Wrestler. Not surprisingly, Carter's goal for 2014 is to be the type of wrestler capable of winning both an NCAA championship and the Hodge Trophy. The Virginia native is a two-time NCAA qualifier and 2012 NCAA All-American at 133 pounds, and should he win back-to-back NCAA titles for the Hokies, he'd be the first to do so from Blacksburg.
Virginia Tech head wrestling coach Kevin Dresser on Carter: "Felt that he was in between 133 and 141. Because of that we wanted him to be a full size 141-pound guy. Excited to get him back in the lineup for his wrestling (one) and his leadership ability (two). He's got one thing on his mind, being the national champion at 141 pounds. We think he can be in the hunt this year for a title."
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