Cornell is putting together an excellent recruiting class from the group of rising seniors. On Sunday afternoon, Jacob Cardenas gave his verbal to wrestle for the Big Red in college.

Cardenas' commitment makes five for Cornell from the Class of 2019. Also heading to Ithaca will be Cadet Greco world teamer Phillip Moomey of Nebraska, Colton Yapoujian of Colorado, Mason Reiniche of Tennessee, and Julian Ramirez of Florida; Ramirez now attends Blair Academy in New Jersey.

On his decision to attend the Ivy League Power, Cardenas had the following to say:

I chose Cornell because it gave me everything I wanted. Great academics and great wrestling. I can compete for national championships while getting an Ivy League education. I want a bright future after college and I think Cornell offers that the best way possible. I’ve been going to camps at Cornell since freshman year and I knew then I wanted to go there. I know Coach Koll and Dean can make me the person I want to be.

In the last iteration of the prospect rankings, we projected Cardenas as the fifth best 197-pounder at the next level. He would likely replace Ben Darmstadt going forward for Cornell.

The FloNationals champ is currently ranked third at 195, behind only AJ Ferrari and Braxton Amos. Cardenas split with Amos in Akron, and lost 3-0 in the semis to Ferrari, the eventual world teamer. Cardenas had limited freestyle experience prior to his fifth place finish in Akron.

The nation's #16 recruit from the Class of 2019, he became a state champ for the first time this past season. Wrestling for Bergen Catholic out of New Jersey, Cardenas was a crucial part of the Crusaders finishing second in the nation. Most recently, Cardenas went undefeated at the Junior Freestyle Duals.

Cornell was always the clubhouse leader, according to Cardenas. He selected the Big Red over Rutgers, Maryland, Arizona State, and Indiana.