Transfer Portal Update (4/9/2024)

With the conclusion of the NCAA wrestling tournament and the calendar changing over to April, you’d think that it means it’s the offseason for college wrestling and all focus should turn to the Olympic styles, right? Maybe in the past, but in a new era of collegiate athletics, once the final whistle has blown on a particular postseason, it means it’s time to turn your attention to the transfer portal. 

Love it or hate it, it’s the reality. Student-athletes have the ability to transfer much more freely than past generations. Couple that with the extra year of eligibility doled out by the NCAA in the aftermath of the COVID years and you have a wild combination. There was lots of movement last “offseason” and I don’t foresee that changing this year. 

In just a week and a half since the NCAA finals, there have already been some huge names that have gone into the portal. Some have already announced their new homes, while others are still being courted. 

The first list of wrestlers we’ve listed have already publicly committed to a new transfer destination. That new school is listed first, along with their projected weight, followed by their former school. 

Below them are notable wrestlers that have gone into the transfer portal. It is not a comprehensive list. Some (like Jacob Cardenas and Lennox Wolak) knew they were graduating and were unable to continue competing at their Ivy League schools and went into the portal before the season started. Others have just submitted their names. 

Expect many updates to this feature in the coming weeks and months. 

Illinois: Ramazan Attasauov (125/133) - Iowa State

Lock Haven: Nick Stampoulos (157) - Buffalo

Michigan: Jacob Cardenas (197) - Cornell

Michigan: Chase Saldate (157) - Michigan State

North Carolina: Josh Ogunsanya (174) - Columbia

Oklahoma State: Caleb Fish (165) - Michigan State

Oklahoma State: Dean Hamiti (165/174) - Wisconsin

Oregon State: Sean Harman (174) - Missouri

Rider: Sammy Alvarez (149) - Oklahoma State

Virginia Tech: Lennox Wolak (174) - Columbia

Over the weekend, we saw Ogunsanya, Fish, and Harman commit. Like his Columbia teammate, Wolak, Ogunsanya entered the portal in the fall because the Ivy League prevented him from using his final year of eligibility at Columbia. He’ll keep the same shade of blue in his wardrobe and move to North Carolina. Ogunsanya’s commitment graphic showed him wrestling at 174 lbs. That is a need for the Tar Heels after losing national qualifier Tyler Eischens - who was a graduate transfer himself. Ogunsanya was a two-time national qualifier for Columbia after finishing second and third in the EIWA. He only saw action at the Clarion Open this year, before getting injured. 

The most notable name of the bunch is Caleb Fish, who will be moving from Michigan State to Oklahoma State. The Cowboys already brought in a star 165 lber in Dean Hamiti - Fish has also competed at that same weight. Expect Hamiti to either move up to 174 lbs and Brayden Thompson to redshirt or Hamiti to redshirt. Fish also has a redshirt available, so he could take one and let Hamiti go 165, also. 

Fish was a three-time national qualifier for the Spartans, advancing to the Round of 12 in 2022 (as the #29 seed). He came in as the #21 seed this year and earned a pair of wins before his elimination. 

Finally, Sean Harman goes back to his home state and will wrestle for Chris Pendleton’s Oregon State Beavers. His previous school, Missouri, has had a logjam of talent between 174-184 for the last few years, leading to few dual opportunities for Harman. During the 2021-22 season, while competing at 174 lbs, Harman defeated Dustin Plott (Oklahoma State) and Hayden Hastings (Wyoming). 

We’ve also seen the first domino fall in the coaching transition at Buffalo. National qualifier Nick Stampoulos will stay in the MAC and wrestle for Lock Haven. The Bulls other 2024 qualifier, Sam Mitchell, and a host of other teammates have entered the portal and are looking for new homes. In addition, some of their top recruits have re-opened the recruiting process. 
 

Portal

Tommy Askey (157) - Appalachian State

Connor Brady (165) - Virginia Tech

Colton Camacho (125/133) - Pittsburgh

Caleb Coyle (133) - Oregon State

Dorian Crosby (285) - Bucknell

Massoma Endene (197) - Wartburg

Logan Frazier (133) - Virginia Tech

Max Hale (184) - Penn 

Nathan Higley (149) - George Mason

Jacob Joyce (125) - Stanford

Jason Kraisser (157) - Iowa State

Carson Martinson (165) - Iowa

Carter Martinson (157) - Iowa

Connor McGonagle (133) - Lehigh

Sam Mitchell (197) - Buffalo

Peyton Moore (133) - Missouri

Ethan Oakley (133) - Appalachian State

Bretli Reyna (149) - Iowa

Chris Rivera (141) - Campbell

Justin Rivera (149) - Campbell

Rylan Rogers (184) - Michigan

Yaraslau Slavikouski (285) - Rutgers