Levi Haines vs Cade DeVos | 2024 NWCA All-Star Classic Preview
Levi Haines vs Cade DeVos | 2024 NWCA All-Star Classic Preview
A full preview and prediction for the matchup at 174 pounds between Levi Haines and Cade DeVos at the 2024 NWCA All-Star Classic.
The 2024 NWCA All-Star Classic presented by Nike Wrestling will take place on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 7:00 pm (ET) in Rec Hall on the campus of Penn State.
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This event can be viewed only on FloWrestling and will feature 10 highly ranked Division 1 folkstyle matchups along with 5 cross-divisional women’s freestyle matches.
One of the most intriguing matchups of the night is at 174 pounds between NCAA champion Levi Haines and 2024 All-American Cade DeVos. It's also worth noting that DeVos is a late replacement for Rocco Welsh who was previously set to wrestle Levi Haines. Check out the article below for a full preview and prediction of the bout between DeVos and Haines at the All-Star Classic.
Levi Haines, Penn State
Haines’ College Stats
- 48-2 Career College Record
- 2X All-American - NCAA Champion (2024 at 157), NCAA Runner-Up (2023 at 157)
Haines’ College All-American Hitlist:
- Jacori Teemer
- Bryce Andonian (X2)
- Peyton Robb (X4)
- Will Lewan (X3)
- Jared Franek (X2)
Cade DeVos, South Dakota State
DeVos' College Stats:
- 99-32 Career College Record
- 2024 All-American (5th Place)
Devos' College All-American Hitlist:
- Lennox Wolak
- Edmond Ruth
- Ben Pasiuk (X2)
- Peyton Mocco (X3)
- Carson Kharchla
- Travis Wittlake
- Dustin Plott
Breaking Down The Matchup
The matchup between Haines and Devos at the All-Star Classic should be phenomenal. DeVos had a breakthrough year last season placing 5th at NCAAs after failing to make the podium in his previous two trips to the big show. DeVos was 28-3 last season with notable wins over Carson Kharchla, Travis Wittlake, Peyton Mocco, Ben Pasiuk, Edmond Ruth, Lennox Wolak, and several other top ranked wrestlers. Beyond the wins, DeVos only lost to Shane Griffith (twice) and Lennnox Wolak. DeVos is currently ranked #3 in the country and should be considered a pre-season darkhorse to make the NCAA finals after Keegan O’Toole and Haines.
Cade Devos’ win over Carson Kharchla at the 2023 CKLV
This match is also intriguing for Levi Haines because it will be his first big folkstyle test at his new weight class. Haines spent the first two years of his college career at 157 pounds where he was runner-up as a true freshman in 2023 before winning an NCAA title last year. Despite it being his first folkstyle match at 174, we saw Haines compete at 79 kg (174.2 lbs) at the World Team Trials in September where he displayed an impressive 4th place performance. There, Haines recorded impressive victories over Keegan O’Toole and Evan Wick while only losing to Jordan Burroughs and David Carr. Haines has already proven he can handle the move up in weight and the All-Star will be another opportunity for him to display how he can be just as successful at 174 as he was at 157.
Levi Haines' win over Keegan O'Toole at the 2024 World Team Trials:
Who Wins At The All-Star Classic?
The matchup between Haines and Welsh should be close from start to finish and could even be an early preview of a semifinal bout at the 2025 NCAA Tournament. DeVos might be a little under the radar but he’s a really complete wrestler and is as solid as they come in all positions. DeVos has great go-behinds and reattacks on his opponents shots and can score on leg attacks to both sides of his opponent's body. He’s tough on top and is capable of building riding time on most opponents if he doesn’t get to his turns.
With all of that said about DeVos, I still favor Levi Haines to win at the All-Star Classic. Haines has an elite outside step single and finishes his shots almost every time he gets his hands locked on a leg. Though he’s coming up in weight, I don’t think he’ll be undersized and I actually believe Haines’ power could be a problem for DeVos. Haines has elite defense and DeVos might have a hard time getting through Haines’ head and hands - though it was freestyle, even Jordan Borrughs wasn’t able to secure a takedown against Haines. I don’t see the mat being much of a factor for either wrestler and because I give Haines an edge in neutral, I have Haines winning a one or two takedown match over DeVos in what should be a fantastic bout at the All-Star Classic.