Zahid Valencia (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)The commitment of Maruca is a third top 30 prospect for the Sun Devils in their 2015 class. It further creates positive momentum for new head coach Zeke Jones, as he also has secured the services of the nation's No. 1 and No. 5 Class of 2015 prospects, with Anthony and Zahid Valencia (St. John Bosco, Calif.) headed to Tempe next fall.
In addition to those three commitments, Jones secured the transfer of the excellent Oliver Pierce (Allen, Texas) from the University of Oklahoma. Pierce was the nation's No. 9 ranked wrestler in the Class of 2013, and after a redshirt year will either have four years to compete over the next four, or lose the 2014-15 season and have three seasons to compete thereafter. That circumstance will depend on how he left the Sooners' program, as well as how the release was handled.
Zeke Jones (Photo/Larry Slater)Additional factors include the relative attraction of Arizona State as a campus, position as one of the very few wrestling programs in the western third of the country, as well as their "Power Five" status, and other monetary factors. The latter two issues probably will come into increasing play in the next few years at the NCAA navigates a “separate but equal” Power Five world, and the realities of governance post-O'Bannon ruling.
The Sun Devils are one of five programs to have multiple top 100 commits so far in the Class of 2015. The University of Virginia also has three, with the commitments of No. 6 Fox Baldwin (Osceola, Fla.), No. 26 Sam Krivus (Hempfield Area, Pa.), and No. 42 Cameron Harrell (McDonogh, Md.). Oklahoma State technically has just a pair in No. 33 Kaid Brock (Stillwater, Okla.) and No. 46 Boo Lewallen (Yukon, Okla.). However, one can surmise that the son of head coach John Smith, No. 13 Joe Smith (Stillwater, Okla.), will also end up as part of the Cowboys' wrestling roster come next fall. Oklahoma State loaded up during 2014 recruiting, and is well-positioned to do so again, as the in-state talent base is yet again excellent with eight ranked within the top 100.
The other two programs with multiple top 100 commits at present are Michigan with No. 2 Logan Massa (St. Johns, Mich.) and No. 32 Austin Assad (Brecksville, Ohio), as well as Northern Iowa with in-state commitments coming from No. 40 Max Thomsen (Union) and No. 45 Bryce Steiert (Waverly-Shell Rock).
Myles Martin (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)The best middleweight prospect -- though the differences between a lighter middleweight and a middleweight may be somewhat minutiae -- remaining is No. 11 Josh Shields (Franklin Regional, Pa.). Among clear upperweights, No. 12 Lance Benick (Totino-Grace, Minn.) leads the way.
There are five clear (uncommitted) heavyweight prospects right near the top 50 of the Class of 2015 rankings. However, one note of caution to consider with these types is if they will end up pursuing wrestling in college, or another sport instead. Names to watch would be: No. 13 Kenneth Brinson (Marist, Ga.), No. 17 Michael Johnson, Jr. (Montini Catholic, Ill.), No. 20 Austin Myers (Campbell County, Ky.), No. 47 Tate Orndorff (University, Wash.), and No. 52 Jake Marnin (Southeast Polk, Iowa).
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