It’s almost time for the college wrestling season and we’re previewing every weight class before the season starts. In the below article, we preview 197-pounds by breaking down the favorite, contenders, and sleepers to watch out for to help you get prepared for the college season.

2024 NCAA All-Americans

1. Aaron Brooks, Penn State
2. Trent Hidlay, NC State
3. Stephen Buchanan, Oklahoma
4. Jacob Cardenas, Cornell
5. Tanner Sloan, South Dakota State
6. Rocky Elam, Missouri
7. Stephen Little, Little Rock
8. Michael Beard, Lehigh

2024 Round of 12 Finishers

• Andy Smith, Virginia Tech
• John Poznanski, Rutgers
• Silas Allred, Nebraska
• Lou DePrez, Binghamton

The Last 10 125 Pound NCAA Champions

2024 - Aaron Brooks, Penn State

2023 - Nino Bonaccorsi, Pitt

2022 - Max Dean, Penn State

2021 - AJ Ferrari, Oklahoma State

2019 - Bo Nickal, Penn State

2018 - Michael Macchiavello, NC State

2017 - J’den Cox, Missouri

2016 - J’den Cox, Missouri

2015 - Kyven Gadson, Iowa State

2014 - J’den Cox, Missouri

The Favorites

• AJ Ferrari, Cal State Bakersfield
• Stephen Buchanan, Iowa
• Jacob Cardenas, Michigan
• Rocky Elam, Missouri
• Trey Munoz, Oregon State

The above of wrestlers are the top tier of 197 pounds and displays the parity at the weight. Of this group, only AJ Ferrari is a past national champion. Ferrari won his title back in 2021 but has since missed the last three NCAA Tournaments due to injury and off-the-mat issues. Despite his time off, Ferrari still has the best results of this group with career victories over Stephen Buchanan (2), Myles Amine, Jacob Warner, Tanner Sloan (2), and a host of other credentialed wrestlers. 

Ferrari almost made a return to the mats last year for Iowa and even competed at the Soldier Salute where he defeated NCAA qualifier Joey Novak (7-2) but lost by disqualification in overtime against Zach Glazier. It’s worth noting that Ferrari secured the match-winning takedown but was dq’d after he attempted to slap Glazier. Ferrari returning to NCAA wrestling is one of the biggest stories of the year and if he’s back to wrestling how he was in 2021, he can absolutely win his second career NCAA title. 

Ferrari’s win over Buchanan from the 2021-22 season:

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Stephen Buchanan is the highest returning placer at 197 pounds and might be the biggest favorite entering the season to win a title. Buchanan began his college career at Wyoming where he placed 8th (2021) and 3rd (2022) before transferring to Oklahoma and earning another 3rd place finish last season. Now at Iowa, Buchanan is looking to end his college career on the top of the podium. Outside of AJ Ferrari, Buchanan has beaten just about everyone in this weight class and has all the tools to win a title this season.

Highlights of Buchanan’s win over Jacob Cardenas in the 3rd place match at 2024 NCAAs:

Jacob Cardenas is coming off his highest finish at NCAAs taking 4th last season after he placed 8th in 2023. Cardenas finished up his eligibility at Cornell and is now competing as a graduate transfer for the University of Michigan. Cardenas has never wrestled AJ Ferrari, but he has experience against the rest of the field and has accumulated wins over Rocy Elam, Stephen Little, Michael Beard, and several other top 197-pounders. With Mason Parris as a training partner and a new training environment in Ann Arbor, it will be interesting to see if Cardenas can make a jump in his final year of college wrestling.

Jacob Cardenas’ win over Silas Allred at the 2023 CKLV:

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Rocky Elam is already a 4-time All-American and has finished everywhere on the podium from 3rd to 6th place for Missouri at 197 pounds. Elam has consistently been a title contender but hasn’t yet been able to put together the perfect NCAA tournament to finish on top of the podium. Elam has wins over Stephen Buchanan, Michael Beard, Jacob Cardenas, Bernier Truax, Tanner Sloan, Yonger Bastida, and a host of other All-Americans. Elam has all the skills to win 197 pounds this year and if he wrestles his best in March, no one should be surprised to see him on the top of the podium. 

Highlights of Rocky Elam’s win over Michael Beard in the quarters at the 2024 NCAA Tournament:

Trey Munoz is the final wrestler who I think should be considered a title contender at 197 pounds. Munoz is a two-time All-American at 184 pounds finishing 6th in 2023 and 3rd in 2024 and we currently have him ranked #4 at 184 pounds. However, word out of Oregon State is that Munoz is moving up to 197 pounds this year. Munoz’s addition to the weight class will be very interesting to watch this year, especially considering Oregon State’s schedule.  Munoz could face Buchanan the first weekend of the year with Oregon State hosting Iowa on November 2. Then at the CKLV, Munoz could have potential matches against AJ Ferrari and Jacob Cardenas. 

Highlights of Munoz’s win over Bennett Berge in the 3rd place match at the 2024 NCAA Tournament:

The Contenders

• Stephen Little, Little Rock
• Isaiah Salazar, Minnesota
• Michael Beard, Lehigh

This group of three really displays how deep 197 pounds is - honestly you could make a case for any one of these three to win a title in 2025. Little Rock’s Stephen Little leads this list and is coming off a 7th-place finish at NCAAs. Little made the podium with wins over Michael Beard, Lou DePrez, Joey Novak, and Zach Glazier, only losing to Cardenas and Buchanan. Little established himself as a clear top-8 guy last year and if he makes any improvements, he’ll be a title contender this year. 

Stephen Little's win over Jaxon Smith at the 2023 Tiger Style Invite:

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Isaiah Salazar finished 6th last year at 184 pounds and will be moving up to wrestle 197 pounds this year for Minnesota. Salazar was incredibly consistent last season with a 24-4 record and notable wins over TJ Steward, Bernie Truax, and Lenny Pinto. Along with his success last year, Salazar has a great style that will transition well to the heavier weight - he holds position well, rides tough on top, has great reattacks, and has the strength to handle even the bigger 197-pounders. I don’t think Salazar will need any adjustment period to find success at 197 and I expect him to take out some of the contenders as the season unfolds. 

Highlights of Isaiah Salazar's win over TJ Stewart at the 2024 NCAA Tournament:

Michael Beard is the final wrestler who should be considered a contender heading into the season. Beard is now a two-time All-American with an 8th place finish last year and a 7th place finish in 2021. Though he finished in the last spot on the podium last year, Beard had an incredible regular season losing only once to Trent Hidlay with wins over Jacob Cardenas (2), Lou DePrez, Mac Stout, Luke Stout, Sonny Sasso, Andy Smith, Lucas Cochran, and several other ranked wrestlers. Beard has some of the best reattacks in the country and if he’s fully healthy and wrestling his best, he can beat anyone in the field at 197. 

Michael Beard's win in the finals of the 2024 EIWA 

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Sleepers & Landmines

• Lucas Cochran/Josh Barr, Penn State
• Luke Surber, Oklahoma State
• Christian Carroll, Iowa State
• Sonny Sasso/Andy Smith, Virginia Tech

The above wrestlers are all guys who could insert themselves into All-American contention this year. First up, is the Nittany Lions - either Josh Barr or Lucas Cochran. Barr is probably a true 184 pounder but with Starocci moving up, Barr’s only place in the lineup is up at 197. Barr is fresh off winning a silver medal at the U20 and had an undefeated redshirt season with a 15-0 record. 

Barr's win in the 2024 U20 World Championship Semifinals:

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Barr would be the clear starter if it wasn’t for Lucas Cochran who is a more true 197-pounder. Cochran had an 11-2 record last year for Penn State and even defeated heavyweight All-American Yaraslau Slavikousi. Both Barr and Cochran are solid options for Penn State and have the potential to score significant team points at NCAAs for the Nittany Lions.

Lucas Cochran's win over All-American Slavikouski:

Oklahoma State’s Luke Surber is someone who I thought could have had a breakout year for the Cowboys last season but injuries kept him from wrestling his best. In fact, two years ago Surber had his best year when he reached the round of 16 at the NCAA tournament and even tallied a win over Missouri’s Rocky Elam during the regular season. If he’s healthy, Surber could shoot up the rankings and knock off some of the “contenders” in this weight.

Luke Surber's win over Jacob Cardenas in the finals of the 2023 U23 World Team Trials:

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Christian Carroll is the likely starter this year for the Cyclones and has incredible potential. Carroll was the #8 overall recruit in the class of 2023 and made a U20 world team at 125 kg in 2023. Most recently, Carroll finished third at the U23 World Team Trials where he defeated Trey Munoz, Seth Shumate, and Levi Hopkins but lost to Wyatt Voelker. Before that, Carroll qualified for the Olympic Trials with notable wins over All-Americans Jacob Warner and Tony Cassioppi. Carroll is incredibly dynamic from neutral, and if he can translate his freestyle success to college this year, we can expect big things from Carroll. 

Christian Carroll's win over Jacob Warner at the Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier:

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Virginia Tech, like Penn State, has two quality potential starters at 197 - Andy Smith and Sonny Sasso. Smith has started the last two years for the Hokies and reached the round of 12 last year with wins over Zach Glazier, Cole Urbas, and Nick Stemmet at the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Sasso had a solid redshirt year with notable wins over Nick Stemmet, Evan Bates, and Levi Hopkins. Both are solid options and it will be interesting to see how Virginia Tech sorts out who will start for them this year. 

Highlights of Andy Smith's win over Zach Glazier:

Who Wins The 2025 NCAA Tournament?

197-pounds might be one of the toughest weights to predict and there are several guys who are capable of winning NCAAs. Predicting this weight feels a little big like pulling a name out of a hat but that’s not going to stop me from making a prediction! I'm picking Rocky Elam as my 197-pound 2025 NCAA Champion - he's been right there for the past 4 years, and I think he finally gets it done this year to end his career on top at 197.

Full 197-Pound 2025 NCAA All-American Predictions:

1. Rocky Elam, Missouri
2. Stephen Buchanan, Iowa
3. Trey Munoz, Oregon State
4. AJ Ferrari, Cal State Bakersfield
5. Michael Beard, Lehigh
6. Jacob Cardenas, Cornell
7. Stephen Little, Little Rock
8. Josh Barr, Penn State