For this crop at 184 there is a lot of guess-work on weight classes. This exists with many of these reports as many guys elect to not cut much weight while redshirting. I think we'll see some shuffling. Regardless of what weights these guys wind up at, we'll see production from this group wherever they compete.

Zahid Valencia - Arizona State - 2016-2017 Eligibility Year - Redshirt Freshman

Redshirt Record: 8-1

Here’s another installment of the loaded ASU redshirt class. Zahid Valencia just completed a very strong showing despite only competing in two collegiate tournaments this year. He lost to only two guys on the year: Hayden Zilmer and David Taylor. Two rather tough individuals.

There is a strong chance that Zahid will go down to 174 for next year. I included him here because he competed exclusively at 184 this year. Intel suggests they haven't seen Zahid grow like they anticipated, so look for him down a weight. Brother Anthony is also very likely to be in the lineup, but he is not yet enrolled at ASU due to taking an Olympic Redshirt. Zahid knocked off Nick Gravina twice as well as Austin Severn, Nick Corba and Andrew Romanchik. Valencia always has had incredible defense. If you’re lucky enough to get to his leg, he is incredibly difficult to finish on.

Zahid’s leg attacks have shown great improvement the last season as well. He can attack and finish on both sides very effectively. He’s also been in the room scrapping with Ruth, Pendleton and Benick on a regular basis, so there’s a strong chance he’ll only get better given the caliber of those partners. I’ll cut to the chase. Zahid will be in the mix for a National Title next year. He’s that good, that complete and that ready.

Zahid has had consistent success against NCAA Champion Myles Martin:

Michael Macchiavello - NC State - - 2016-2017 Eligibility Year - Redshirt Junior

Redshirt Record: 13-3

Macchiavello turned a few heads this year when he knocked off Matt McCutcheon this year at the PSU Open. The issue is whether NC State will use a redshirt for returning NCAA 3rd placer Pete Renda. My feeling is that NC State will take this year to give Renda a redshirt and use Macchiavello.

Mike went to 3 opens this year and lost to only McCutcheon and Hunter Gamble on the season. We have seen consistent improvement from Mike over the past few years and once inserted into the lineup again, I think he’ll thrive.

Emery Parker - Illinois - 2016-2017 Eligibility Year - Redshirt Sophomore

Record: 6-4
The graduation of Jeff Koepke will likely pave the way for Emery Parker to take the line-up for the Illini. He may have some competition from teammate Xavier Montalvo (though we’ll get to him shortly), but I think Parker has a great chance at starting.

His wins may not ring out as stellar, but beating Jordan Ellingwood and Austin Severn does have some real clout behind it. He was plugged in the lineup a few times and even went up to 197 to face Brett Pfarr. He also wrestled as low as 174 against Davonte Mahomes of Michigan. He lost both those matches, however as well as bouts against Nick Elmer and Koepke.

Hunter Ritter - Wisconsin - 2016-2017 Eligibility Year - Redshirt Freshman

Redshirt Record: 16-2
It was very interesting to look up Ritter’s season and see that he beat Bobby Steveson. A year ago Steveson handled him at Who’s #1. Frankly, the match wasn’t all that competitive. Yet Ritter seemingly handled Steveson this time around. Redshirt results can often be taken with a grain of salt, I’ve found. However, this suggests improvement by Ritter who had a great record on the year.

He did suffer losses to Cash Wilcke and Montrail Johnson, but it should be noted that the Badger also beat Wilcke this year. I am curious where Ritter will fit considering Wisconsin has Ryan Christensen already there at 184. Maybe one of them goes down, one goes up? Both are probably too talented to be on the bench for the Badgers next year.

A lot can change in a year:

Bobby Steveson - Minnesota - 2016-2017 Eligibility Year - Redshirt Freshman

Redshirt Record: 14-3

Bobby didn’t register any elite wins, but he had a fairly busy redshirt campaign. I mentioned the loss to Ritter already. His other losses were to NCAA All American Nolan Boyd and Joe Heyob of Penn.

Steveson will likely go 184 next year with Brett Pfarr back next year for the Gophers. Bobby has a great motor and positioning with very heavy hands. He has competed a lot up at 195 and 197, so I’m curious if he’ll be better suited for the lighter weight. His style is more reflective of an upper-weight, but his size necessitates that he should probably compete around 184. I think he’ll make a fine transition for Minnesota next year.

Xavier Montalvo - Illinois - 2016-2017 Eligibility Year - Redshirt Freshman

Redshirt Record: 10-4

Coming into last year many thought Montalvo would get the nod right away for Illinois. Instead Steven Rodrigues was like “Nah, I got this” and moved up 3 weights to place at 165. This allowed the Montini product to redshirt and compete up at 184. He didn’t have any high’s or low’s on the year but was reasonably successful.

The question now becomes where will Xavier compete next year? What weight is he best suited for? With Zac Brunson back at 174 for another year, it’s possible we see Montalvo make the descent back down to 165. He has the goods to do so if he can make the weight effectively. Don’t be dismayed by the losses to Foster, Grimes and Ellingwood. Montalvo will be a fine option next year.

Watch Montalvo win FloNationals down at 160 a little over a year ago:

Nick Corba - Cleveland State - - 2016-2017 Eligibility Year - Redshirt Junior

Redshirt Record: 21-7

Another guy with a very busy redshirt year, Nick Corba made quite a few rounds this season. Like many on this list, his wins are underwhelming. His losses to Askey, Ellingwood, Krohn, MacCallum and Sponseller aren’t ideal either. I’ve watched him compete, however, and I think he’ll be quality.

Notching 21 wins against mostly d1 competition has value, and when you’re going into a redshirt year with the idea of competing and developing, you’ll drop a match here and there. I think we see a few of those “ouch” losses go away next year as well as a few quality wins for Corba.