Ohio State Next Year (23/24)

[treep2000]

Here's my uneducated guesses and takes on what the tOSU lineup could look like next year:

125:  Gonzalez / McCrone / Transfer:  I like the glimpses that we've seen from both Gonzalez and McCrone, but I don't think either are contenders within the Big 10's, let alone NCAA's.  This is a big hole currently for the buckeyes. 

133:  Mendez / Bouzakis:  Logjam of two super talents, both capable of AA'ing.  One should man 141 next year, and one should stay at 133.  I'd like to see Mendez bulk up to 141, as I think his natural freestyle weight (aspirational) will be 65kg.  

141:  Bouzakis / D'Emilio:  I listed Bouzakis first, because I think he'll ultimately be the starter, with the subsequent weight changes below. 

149:  D'Emilio / Sasso:  With Bouzakis moving to 141, this allows D'Emilo to eat, and to go 149, which allows 

157: Sasso / Gallagher:  Sasso to take the reigns at 157, allowing him to eat, and then slide nicely into the 70kg conversations for world team opportunities

165: Hepner / Gallagher:  Everyone's moving on up, so it'll be a dogfight between Hepner (with a win over Kharchla previously) and Gallagher, at large NCAA qualifier that went 2-2

174:  Kharchla:  Carson finally gets to eat, and swells up to 174

184:  Shumate / Geog:  I think Geog may have outgrown the weight, but if not, I'd take Geog.  

197:  Hoffman / Geog:  I think Hoff still has 1 year left?  If not, Geog.

285:  Feldman:  Time for this guy to show the world what he's got.

Summary:

125:  NQ.  DNP

133:  Mid-AA

141:  Low AA

149: Low AA

157: Title Contender

165: NQ. DNP

174:  Low AA

184:  NQ. DNP

197: NQ. DNP

HWT:  Low AA

[RandolphTJones]

If Bouzakis has a 0% chance to make 125 (probably the case) Buckeyes must hit the transfer portal. No chance Gonzales or McCrone are viable options next year.

If Sasso bumps to 157, I think Hepner mans 165 unless Paddy makes big strides this off season. 

Would really like to see Geog move down to 184 for a season. If not, surely someone out of Shumate/Welch/Rogotzke can be a viable contender. 

I'll definitely be keeping a closer eye on the portal this year more than I have recently, but I feel like that's becoming the norm for most of us.