2024 NCAA Recruiting Class Rankings

The individual rankings are taken from the 2024 Big Board. You can see the full list of high school commitments HERE and the transfer tracker HERE.

For the first time, we here at FloWrestling are including transfers in our recruiting class rankings. It's no longer an oddity, but the norm that college coaching staffs actively plan for and around. That is not to say that all transfers are better than a high school recruit. You have to weigh the potential upside of a full career vs how many years a transfer has remaining. It is not an easy task and by no means a science, but here's my best crack!

Past Years' Rankings

2023 Recruiting Class Rankings - #1 Oklahoma State

2022 Recruiting Class Rankings - #1 Ohio State

2021 Recruiting Class Rankings - #1 Penn State

2020 Recruiting Class Rankings - #1 Oklahoma State

2019 Recruiting Class Rankings - #1 Ohio State

If you notice a wrestler who is committed and not listed below, or at the wrong weight, please email jd.rader@flosports.tv. 

#1 Penn State

Transfers

None

Overview

The Nittany Lions are back on top with an unreal haul of quality and quantity. Four of this year’s top 10 recruits are headed to State College. While the Nittany Lions are going to run into some lineup trouble down the road in a couple of years with Joe Sealey, Mitchell Mesenbrink, Alex Facundo, Josh Barr, and Zak Ryder all occupying 165-184, those are good problems to have.

Connor Mirasola might get the nod to go right away this season at 197 and Cole Mirasola will be able to slide in perfectly after Greg Kerkvliet is done in 2025-26.

Missed Needs

None.

Past 5 Years

2023: #5

2022: HM

2021: #1

2020: #4

2019: NR

#2 Oklahoma State

Transfers

Wyatt Hendrickson, SR (285)

Dean Hamiti, SR (174)

Cam Amine, SR (165)

Caleb Fish, SR (165)

Overview

Cody Merill and JJ McComas are two really good high school recruits, and how this class will retroactively be judged largely relies on Cody Merill living up to the hype, but it’s the transfers that catapult this class into the top three. While they each only have one year of college eligibility remaining, Wyatt Hendrickson is basically a guaranteed 14+ points at the NCAA Championships, Dean Hamiti and Cam Amine are both multiple-time All-Americans, and Caleb Fish is a proven AA threat. While the Cowboys will only get them for 1 year, there’s something to be said for proven NCAA point scorers. 

The Cowboys are also bringing in one of the most unique recruits in recent memory in Rin Sakamoto. While there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Japanese recruit, he was a Junior World Teamer for his native country in 2023.

#3 Stanford

Transfers

None

Overview

No team is bringing in more Big Boarders this year than Stanford, and they’re all not just in the top 100, but top 50. Leading the way is Aden Valencia. A recruit who I believe will be contending for a national title for multiple years in his college career. This is a guy who already has wins over the likes of Seth Gross, Joe Colon, Jaydin Eierman, and Luke Pletcher as well as many of the top high schoolers in the country. 

The only issue for Stanford is that six of their seven top 100 recruits project at 141-165 and they still have two years of Daniel Cardenas and three years of Hunter Garvin. That match doesn’t equal everyone making the starting lineup.

Missed Needs

285

Past Five Years

2023: #12

2022: #5

2021: NR

2020: NR

2019: HM

Missed Needs

None

Past Five Years

2023: #1

2022: HM

2021: #6

2020: #1

2019: #13

#4 Missouri

Transfers

None

Overview

Missouri is bringing in its best class since the 2020 class that included Keegan O’Toole, Rocky Elam, Josh Edmond, and Colton Hawks. Those are big shoes to fill. While I’m not going to predict that Aeoden Sinclair will only lose four times as O’Toole has done so far, I am super high on this kid. Another product of Askren Wrestling Academy, I believe Sinclair will be a title contender at some point in his career. The question is - is he a 184 or a 197? If he’s a 197, he could slide in perfectly after Elam is done. If he’s a 184, he’ll be in a roster battle with Hawks.

Crapps, Mauger, and Walker are all really solid lightweight options that will help fill a hole Noah Surtin will leave in a year. Jace Roller will be able to come in after Josh Edmond/Logan Gioffre at 141/149.

Missed Needs

Assuming O’Toole is moving up to 174 lbs, that could be a bit of a hole for the Tigers this season.

Past Five Years

2023: NR

2022: #12

2021: NR

2020: #3

2019: NR

#5 Ohio State

Transfers

None

Overview

Under head coach Tom Ryan, Ohio State has always been one of the top recruiting teams in the country and this year is no different. Ben Davino is a massive pickup from Illinois - a state the Buckeyes don’t very often get kids. I predict that after redshirting this year, Davino and Nic Bouzakis will take over 133/141 while Jesse Mendez moves up to 149 lbs.

Originally from down the road in Sidney, Ohio, Carter Neeves is a good instate pickup, but he will struggle to see the starting lineup with Nick Feldman still having three years of eligibility.

Missed Needs

None

Past Five Years

2023: #6

2022: #1

2021: #12

2020: NR

2019: #1

#6 Iowa

Transfers

Kyle Parco, SR (149)

Overview

A fifth-straight top-six recruiting class for the Iowa Hawkeyes. They were always going to be towards the top as soon as they signed Angelo Ferrari. The #2 overall recruit, most people think he’ll be a four-year high AA finisher. That being said, a lot is riding on Ferrari’s success. If Ferrari doesn’t pan out, this could be deemed as a down class by Hawkeye standards regardless of how Parco, Estrada, Voinovich, or any others perform.

Missed Needs

141

Past Five Years

2023: #3

2022: #4

2021: #3

2020: #2

2019: HM

#7 Minnesota

Transfers

Cooper Flynn, JR (125)

Clayton Whiting, SO (184)

Tommy Askey, JR (157)

Overview

I really like this class from Minnesota. I think Koy Hopke and Charlie Millard are for sure NCAA tournament point scorers. Add in national qualifier transfers Cooper Flynn and Tommy Askey, who will be All-American contenders this year, and you have an all around great haul. Clayton Whiting is another big transfer for the Gophers. However, he could once again struggle to make the starting lineup with Max McEnelly coming out of redshirt.

Missed Needs

None

Past Five Years

2023: #9

2022: #14

2021: #7

2020: #19

2019: HM

#8 Oklahoma

Transfers

Cleveland Belton, SR (141)

Gaven Sax, SR (174)

Carter Schubert, FR (165)

Overview

Roger Kish is having an immediate impact in Norman. After two years outside of the top 25, they’re back in the top 10. With a totla of 14 high schoolers and three transfers, the Sooners are bringing a huge haul. In addition to the four Big Boarders, the OU will be bringing in Clayton Giddens-Buttram, Landyn Sommer, Hunter Hollingsworth, and others who were just outside of the top 100 but are potential future starters as well.

Missed Needs

133

Past Five Years

2023: NR

2022: NR

2021: #9

2020: #20

2019: #16

#9 Rutgers

Transfers

Dagen Condomitti, FR (157/165)

Overview

Rutgers always recruits New Jersey well, and while they are bringing in five Garden Staters this year including 4X state medalist and 1X finalist Alex Nini, the bulk of their top end talent is coming from Pennsylvania. Conner Harer, Mason Gibson, and Ayden Smith all hale from PA. Harer, a 3X state champ, could get the nod right away at 157. While outside of the top 100, Nate Blanchete is a guy who has been in and out of the national rankings and a decent 174 lb prospect.

Missed Needs

165

Past Five Years

2023: NR

2022: #7

2021: HM

2020: #15

2019: #4

#10 North Carolina

Transfers

Ethan Oakley, JR (133)

Josh Ogunsanya, SR (165/174)

Ryan Boersma, SO (285)

Overview

Rob Koll has always been one of the best recruiters in the game, and it only took one year for him to prove he could do it at North Carolina. The Tar Heels are bringing in both quality and quantity with five top-57 recruits and two national qualifier transfers. 

Missed Needs

Assuming both Platt and Schett stay at 197 and Boersma doesn’t show massive improvement, heavyweight.

Past Five Years

2023: NR

2021: #19

2020: #7

2019: #18

#11 Iowa State

Transfers

Christian Carroll, FR (197)

Evan Bockman, SR (197)

Overview

Iowa State already had a pretty nice little recruiting class, and then they added transfers Christian Carroll and Evan Bockman to the mix late to make it a great one. If Bockman can cut to 184, he’ll likely make a nice addition to the starting lineup. Unfortunately for Cyclone fans, both Sawyer Bartelt and Christian Carroll project at 197 lbs, so they will likely only see production (in terms of NCAA points) from one of those guys. Daniel Herrera is another excellent upperweight addition. At heavyweight, he won two California state titles before moving to Ames his senior year of high school and adding an Iowa state title to his collection. 

Missed Needs

165 (if Cody Chittum/Kane Naaktgeboren/Tucker Stangel can’t put on some size)

Past Five Years

2023: #18

2022: #2

2021: #20

2020: NR

2019: #6

#12 Virginia Tech

Transfers

Connor McGonagle, SR (133)

Lennox Wolak, SR (174)

Overview

Four Big Boarders plus two transfer that will come in for a year and contend to be All-Americans equals another excellent recruiting class for Tony Robbie and Jared Frayer. The Hokies have always recruited well in Ohio and New Jersey and this year is no different bringing in 4X Ohio state champion Dillon Campbell and 2X New Jersey state champion Matt Henrich. They also locked down the local talent picking up the only Virginian (Parker Ferrell) and West Virginian (Gage Wright) recruits in the top 100.

Missed Needs

None.

Past Five Years

2023: #7

2022: #10

2021: #14

2020: #9

2019: #5

#13 Michigan

Transfers

Jacob Cardenas, SR (197)

Chase Saldate, SR (157)

Overview

Sean Bormet went for quality over quantity this year. The Wolverines are only bringing in 6 high school recruits and two transfers, but I love the potential of Brock Mantanona (brother of current Wolverine Beau Mantanona) and 2X AA Jacob Cardenas will be in the hunt for a national title this year.

In need of a new 125 lb starter, Chris Kiser is non Big Boarder who could become a guy for the Wolverines.

Missed Needs

174, 285

Past Five Years

2023: #2

2022: NR

2021: #18

2020: #16

2019: #12

#14 Cornell

Transfers

None

Overview

Unsurprisingly solid job by Mike Grey. Replacing guys like Vito Arujau and Jacob Cardenas is no easy task, but four top 100 recruits will help lessen the blow. Even with losing those two, this team didn’t have a lot of holes to fill, but heavyweight was one, so I’m sure the Big Red have high hopes for Fargo champ and Ironman finalist Cash Henderson. Currently ranked #9 at 215, he’s on the lighter side for heavyweight, but I don’t see size being too much of an issue for him. 

Missed Needs

None.

Past Five Years

2023: #4

2022: NR

2021: #5

2020: #5

2019: #3

#15 West Virginia

Transfers

Tommy Maddox, SR (133)

Overview

Ty Watters was a huge PA pickup for Tim Flynn last year that has already started to pay dividends as the 149 lbs true freshman placed 4th at NCAAs. The Mountaineers doubled down on PA talent this year bringing in Rune Lawrence and Shawn Taylor. Two guys who I think could follow in Watters’ footsteps. Lawrence is a 4X PA state champion and Super 32 finalist only losing to Aeoden Sinclair. High school ranker David Bray recently claimed Shawn Taylor as his “under the radar” guy who could be great in college. He would know better than anyone. He’ll be an excellent replacement for Peyton Hall in a year.

Missed Needs

I would have liked to see them bring in a highly touted 125 lb prospect to redshirt and then take over after Jett Strickenberger. 

Past Five Years

2023: HM

2022: NR

2021: #12

2020: #12

2019: NR

#16 NC State

Transfers

None

Overview

Death, taxes, and Pat Pop bringing in a deep recruiting class. Lightweights were a priority as the  Wolfpack will be losing their starting 125, 133, 141, and 157 after this season. Louie Gill, Draegen Orine, Gavin Linsman, and Jaydon Robinson will absolutely help reload. 

Missed Needs

197

Past Five Years

2023: #15

2022: #3

2021: #4

2020: #8

2019: #17

#17 Arizona State

Transfers

None

Overview

Some people will put down this class from Zeke Jones with just three total recruits. However, you’re good in my book if you bring in two top-20 recruits in the same class. The Sun Devils are still going to have some holes this season and could have utilized the transfer portal a little, but high-end talent is what scores points at the national tournament. I think the Sun Devils have two NCAA point scorers in Larkin and Manville.

Missed Needs

157/165 (whichever weight Jacori Teemer doesn’t go) and 197

Past Five Years

2023: HM

2022: #13

2021: #2

2020: NR

2019: #2

#18 Air Force

Overview

Wow. This is the best recruiting class for Air Force since…? Ever? For sure at least of the past 10 years. For comparison - in 2019 they brought in one Big Boarder - #40 Wyatt Hendrickson. Am I saying that #28 Karson Tompkins is going to be the next Wyatt Hendrickson? Of course not. That’s an insane bar to set, but it just goes to show the level of guy Sam Barber is not only bring in, but can produce. Air Force is going to be a scrappy squad in a handful of years.

Missed Needs

The service academies are obviously unique when it comes to recruiting and have different requirements other than just filling in weight.

Past Five Years

2023: NR

2022: NR

2021: NR

2020: NR

2019: NR

#19 Illinois

Overview

Colin Kelly was originally committed to Wisconsin, but a late flip from the instate recruit + another great pick up from St. Ed’s Ohio’s Ryan Bennett, and at least one new starter from the transfer portal (Jason Kraisser), and you’ve got a fun class from the Illini. Kelly will be able to slide in after Braunagel or Ruth, but Bennett will be in a roster battle with Kannon Webster if they both want to go 149.

Missed Needs

Illinois has one more year of Luke Luffman, but I would have liked to see them bring in a highly touted recruit to redshirt a year behind him before taking over.

#20 Nebraska

Overview

I really like the potential of LJ Araujo. A Super 32 champion in 2023, he could be a part of a legacy of tough Nebraska middleweights. He’ll redshirt this year behind Bubba Wilson while getting to train with Antrell Taylor as well before likely taking over the 165 lb starting spot.

Missed Needs

174

Past Five Years

2023: #8

2022: #11

2021: #8

2020: #6

2019: #9

#21 Indiana

Overview

Great job tapping into Pennsylvania by Angel Escobedo. Ryan Garvick was a 3X state finalist, Pavlechko a 3X placer never finishing lower than 3rd, and Crawford competed for Wyoming Seminary. Top recruit Tyler Guerra is currently ranked #2 in the country at 138 lbs. 10 total high school recruits + a national qualifier transfer in Angelo Rini and the Hoosiers are in the top 25 for the first time since 2019.

Missed Needs

149, 157

Past Five Years

2023: NR

2022: NR

2021: NR

2020: NR

2019: HM

#22 Lock Haven

Overview

Lock Haven has had strong lightweights the past couple of years, but their upperweights have been lacking a bit. Tucker Hogan should help to alleviate that. A 2X Pennsylvania state champion from Daniel Boone Area High School in southeastern PA, I think he’s a really solid prospect. While not a top 100 guy, Hogan’s high school teammate Dean Houser is a state finalist and a solid lightweight option as well. 

Few utilize the transfer portal like the Bald Eagles and they’ve done it again this year with national qualifier Nick Stampoulos. The Buffalo transfer still has three years of eligibility remaining as well.

Missed Needs

184, 285

Past Five Years

2023: NR

2022: NR

2021: NR

2020: HM

2019: NR

#23 Purdue

Overview

A small but solid class from the Boilermakers. A Doc B champ at 120 lbs this year, Isaiah Quintero is a good career 125 option to take over after Matt Ramos is done this season. Fargo champ Chris Coates should be a good middleweight and NHSCA champ Trevyn Gates could be a potential starter down the line at 197.

Missed Needs

133

Past Five Years

2023: #13

2022: NR

2021: NR

2020: #13

2019: NR

#24 Wisconsin

Overview

Normally if you pick up a top 15 recruit and someone out of the transfer portal who just made the U23 World Team, you’re going to be higher than #24. However, the fact that Dillan Johnson plans to both play football and wrestle at Wisconsin makes me nervous. When your marquee recruit potentially isn’t all in, is not a place you want to be. That being said, recently Ben Kueter and Jimmy Mullen have decided to go all in on wrestling and will likely be their team’s starters this year. If Johnson decides to follow their example, the Badgers will be in luck because he can wrestle. An Ironman champion he also beat Cole Mirasola and Koy Hopke at Cheesehead this year.

Even if Johnson goes all in on football, Massoma Endene will provide some relief for this recruiting class. The Texas native is transferring from Division III Wartburg where he was a 2X champ with a record of 55-1. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Missed Needs

141, 157, 165, 174

Past Five Years

2023: #14

2022: #15

2021: #13

2020: #14

2019: #7

#25 California Baptist

Overview

This class is spearheaded by two good instate recruits - Paul Kelly and Sonny Kling. Kelly was a state finalist and Super 32 + Fargo 4th place finisher while Kling was a state champion.

Missed Needs

141, 174

Past Five Years

2023: NR

2022: #18

2021: NR

2020: NR

2019: NR

Honorable Mention

Lehigh - #38 Matty Lopes, #51 Dominic Federici, #74 Logan Rozynski, 8 total + transfer Rylan Rogers

Virginia - #36 Max Shulaw, 8 total

Wyoming - #67 Eddie Neitenbach, 6 total + transfers Jared Hill, Sam Mitchell, and Brant Whitaker

Penn - #59 Nate Taylor, #89 Davis Motyka, 9 total

Princeton - #64 Ethan Rivera, #94 Dan Jones, 9 total