#5 Daniel Zepeda Commits To NC State, Embraces Huge Junior Year Challenge
#5 Daniel Zepeda Commits To NC State, Embraces Huge Junior Year Challenge
Daniel Zepeda, the #5 commit in the class of 2025, has committed to NC State before competing in one of the nation's toughest high school weight classes.
Daniel Zepeda, the #5 recruit in the class of 2025, has made his college commitment. The Gilroy, California middleweight will be heading to NC State after finishing his high school career in 2025. Zepeda's college commitment isn't the only decision he's made though, he's planning to move up to 150 lbs for his junior season to enter a CIF bracket that could be the toughest high school weight in the country.
Zepeda is a highly coveted recruit. He followed up a Fargo finals performance this summer with a Who's Number One victory over Bo Bassett at 138 lbs this fall. He won a state title in the ever-challenging single-class California State Championships this spring as well.
Watch Daniel Zepeda's WNO match vs Bo Bassett
The California star projects as a 141 or 149-pounder for Pat Popolizio's Wolfpack. NC State currently has Junior Ryan Jack and Freshman Koy Buesgens at 141 lbs and Sophomore Jackson Arrington at 149 lbs.
NC State's 2024 commits include #56 Latrell Schafer (165 lbs), #64 Louie Gill (125 lbs), and #90 Gavin Linsman (149/157 lbs). Their 2025 class now includes #5 Zepeda (141/149 lbs) and #54 William Denny (157 lbs).
Despite Zepeda's plans to compete at either 141 lbs or 149 lbs, he has his sights set on 150 lbs this high school season because that's where the best competition in California is likely to be. Zepeda, who's currently ranked #1 at 138 lbs, could enter a bracket with nationally ranked competitors #2 Brock Mantanona, #6 Miguel Estrada (who's looking for his 4th state title), and #7 Grigor Cholakyan. If all these wrestlers stay at 150 lbs, this will likely be the deepest high school weight class in the country.