TOM’s Top Prospect Report: 184 – Class of 2011

In this, our fourth installment of the industry’s original prospect rankings, we compile the nation’s best seniors at their projected college weights.

This year we will be releasing them weight by weight. We are adding more detail this year and reviewing a lot of data and video. Once we are done with these we will also be publishing our top “sleeper” prospects for the class of 2011 and 2012.

College Coaches: We are close to launching our new service. This is a recruiting service available to College Coaches of all levels. You will have access to our in-depth analysis from our Clinch Gear Camps, Access to Athlete profiles on all or our nationally ranked wrestlers and watch list. Recruiting Tournament Programs that will only be available to College Coaches and more. Contact us today to learn more. recruiting@theopenmat.com

The Top Prospect Rankings are much anticipated, receiving a litany of positive feedback annually from college coaches, athletes, and other wrestling journalists. Perhaps the most telling, however subtle, response, was from one writer who characterized them as ‘rankings with a point.’

The Top Prospect Report is not a rankings, per se, but a subjective projection. Head-to-head results and cumulative accomplishments do not always take precedent. Instead, the Top Prospect Report is largely based not only on talent and resume, but also work ethic, character, grades, and desire, to inform my forecast of the nation’s next class of successful college wrestlers.

We feel this is a pragmatic way of looking at the graduating class as they wrap up their prep careers. Whether it is considered a recruiting resource, a wrestler’s barometer, or just as a fan’s guide, we can’t help ourselves but to speculate and project today’s top high school talent onto tomorrow’s college (or international) mats.

*Note: The accomplishments listed are certainly not a full resume. We list them merely as a sampling of their achievements. We will update the rankings and college data as results dictate, and as more information comes in. We welcome a discussion of the rankings on our forums.

184
The 184’s are extremely thin this year. After the first few, the pickin’s are slim. There are of course, some kids with potential, but they’re more long-term projects. After #6 Korb, very few have, to this point, emerged as having legitimate Division I starting potential.

On to the good part…

McIntosh and Courts are studs! And those close behind them are really strong prospects. I would call Sheridan a ‘can’t-miss’. Downey and Stein have all the potential in the world. And Korb is perpetually competitive.

1. Morgan McIntosh, Calvary Chapel, CA, Status: Unsigned

• 2x State Champ, 3x Placer
• Fargo Champ and 3x Finalist
• Fila JR 3rd
• Reno Champ
• 5-Counties Champ
• Temecula Valley Champ
• FloNationals Champ

College Choices: Cal Poly, Penn St., Ohio St., Cornell

Notes: After double Fargo Finalist appearances as a Cadet, McIntosh went on to win his first state title. But then was quiet in the summer before his Jr. season and was out with an injury at Ironman to begin the year. Since then, he has answered all questions regarding his ability, moving up to JR’s for Fila’s and placing 3rd, splitting matches with Penn St’s Ed Ruth, and winning a Fargo FS Title.

McIntosh is a spark plug. He has a non-stop motor and puts together flurries of moves. He controls ties well and stays heavy on the head and arms on outside ties, physically wearing down opponents. He owns the late periods. His relentless attacks get opponents out of position, especially when they’re tired, and McIntosh capitalizes, often on low singles. He can bang and grind and shows impeccable technique. He’s college-ready now.

TOM’s Prediction: Penn State

2. Kenny Courts, Central Dauphin, PA, *Ohio State*

• State Champ (2x Finalist)
• 2x Beast of the East Champ
• Super32 Runner-Up

Notes: Courts started off his high school career with a bang, defeating Dylan Alton in his first tournament and collecting OW honors in his first two, including BofE.

He’s smooth and slick, preferring low singles. The trait that makes him so successful and difficult to defend his is length. With a simple stride or change of direction, he can get the opponent off balance. And it certainly helps on his picture-perfect doubles. Length also makes his finishes near perfect as he shows an uncanny sense of pressure and leverage. From low singles, he’ll pressure the opposite side and it’s game over.

Like all Central Dauphin wrestlers, Courts likes to go to a half from a crab ride. He is particularly proficient at it, gaining a great number of falls that way.

The one caveat with Courts has been his knee/s. He’s had 4 surgeries on them over the course of his career and still wears a brace extending from his thigh to his ankle. But he insists it’s fine. It certainly appeared so in his state title run.
Never a player on the international styles regardless, Courts, because of injuries, hasn’t competed much in the offseason, so his national results are limited. But you could look at it this way: in state finals, he dominated the Super32 Champ, Tristan Warner.

3. Luke Sheridan, De LaSalle, CA, *Indiana*

• 2x Fargo Finalist and NC
• Fila Runner-Up and Double AA
• State 3rd
• Reno Runner-Up

Notes: Wrestling in the state he does, and near the same weight, Sheridan often gets overshadowed by McIntosh. However, he’s quite a stud in his own right. Consider that in his last 5 national competitions (Fargo Cadet FS & Greco, Fila Cadet FS & GR, and Fargo Junior GR) Luke has made three finals appearances and placed no lower than 3rd!
True to his Greco success, Luke is very, very good at upper body position and handfighting. He’s one of the few kids I’ve ever come across that actually invites underhooks, and feels comfortable, in fact excels, with overhooks.
I think his style will work well at the next level. He doesn’t get over-extended, force things, or take bad shots. Perhaps because of his style and not wasting energy underneath, Sheridan has a good tank on him and wrestles six minutes.

4. Pat Downey, North County, MD, Status: Unsigned

• 2x State Champ
• NHSCA Fr. Nationals 5th
• NHSCA Jr. Nationals 4th

College Choices: Penn State, Maryland

Notes: Downey has made great leaps between his sophomore and junior seasons. He was always talented. And you wouldn’t know it from his two consecutive undefeated seasons, but he’s now a wrestler, no longer just and athlete. He’s much more fluid on his feet. And his defense is remarkably better. He also incorporates a good ride and tilt series in his repertoire now.

Downey uses a variety of upper-body techniques, and in doing so, stays safe and scores on high-percentage stuff. He controls the ties and is one of the best I’ve reviewed this year at moving his opponent.
He still has a lot to work on, leg defense and a more diverse offense, a little work on bottom, but if he continues to train hard and improve at this rate, he could be a tough DI wrestler.

TOM’s Prediction: Penn State

5. Drake Stein, Princeton, IN, Status: Unsigned

• State Champ
• Fargo Finalist

College Choices: Old Dominion, Indiana, Purdue

Notes: With a career record of 121-11, Stein has enjoyed a great deal of success. But 2010 was his coming out party as he defeated defending state champion Michael Duckworth in state finals and then later reaching Fargo GR finals.
Stein displays an exceptional ability in transitions; when his initial shot is defended, he moves nicely to another. Not coincidentally, this is how he converts a great deal of his scores.

He does need to keep his hips lower on some shots, however, as he sometimes gets extended. And I think he could be a little more comfortable and assertive against physical wrestlers.

A fine prospect. Stein is proficient in all three styles, and is an honor student to boot.

TOM’s Prediction: Indiana

6. Ian Korb, Elder, OH, Status: Unsigned

• 2x State Placer
• Brecksville Champ
• NHSCA Fr. National Champ
• NHSCA So. National Runner-Up
• Fila Finalist and Double AA
• Fargo AA

College Choices: Penn, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford

Notes: Korb has been on the national circuit, and been quite successful, for a long time now. He’s a ‘slick-ish’ wrestler with good movement on his feet. He has great timing which allows him to be successful on low singles and ankle picks.
Like all slicksters, the problem comes when, with so much movement and offensive-ness, they get out of position and are vulnerable to leg attacks. He just needs to tighten up his defense a bit. But overall, a fine DI prospect.

TOM’s Prediction: Penn

7. Aaron Stevenson, Indian Creek, IN, Status: Unsigned

• State 3rd

College Choices: Indiana, Illinois, Purdue

Notes: Stevenson flies a bit under the radar due to missing a portion of his junior season (including the state tournament). But he’s shown a great deal of promise, running an undefeated record to state semi’s as a sophomore before settling for a 3rd place finish. Aaron has also won 4 combined Indiana State titles in FS and GR.

At this point, he’s more of a natural athlete than a polished wrestler, though he certainly knows what he’s doing. He’s an aggressive wrestler and physically dominant. The knock on him is he’s always injured, as he was, yet again at the USAW Central Regional in a performance that could serve as a microcosm of his career. He soundly defeated this year’s NHSCA Sophomore National Champ, James Suvak of St. Ed’s, 9-1, 6-2, before defaulting out with injury.

His raw talent and track record alone makes him worth a mention. He’s got huge upside. A diligent college coach could do some background work as to the extent and severity of his injuries, and possibly grab a diamond-in-the-rough.

TOM’s Prediction: Purdue

8. Sam Wheeler, Copley, OH, *Oklahoma*

• State Runner-Up
• Fila Cadet 4th

College Choices: Edinboro, Kent St., Oklahoma

Notes: Wheeler is an interesting recruit. He’s relatively new to the national scene, competing in his first major tournaments last year and with his first major success coming in 2010. He was 7-3 at JR Duals with a win over NJ’s Billy George.

He’s still raw. Wheeler doesn’t have much offense, but he doesn’t force much, either. Built like a fire hydrant, he stays square and is difficult to move around.

He’s a kid with a lot of upside. Boom-or-bust type recruit. It will be interesting to see how he develops at OU.

9. Josh DaSilveira, Barron Collier, FL, Status: Unsigned

• NHSCA Jr. National Champ
• State Runner-Up

College Choices: Not Reported

Notes: DaSilveira is a solid wrestler. Don’t be scared off by the lack of state title as his loss in finals was to Jay Taylor, a Top Prospect at 197.

Josh has down the fundamentals. Defensively he’s fine. But he doesn’t have much of an offense and he’s not active enough on his feet to create openings. In the dozen matches I’ve watched him in, he doesn’t show an inclination to ride at all.

10. Nick Kidd, Northfield, MA, *Virginia*

• National Prep 3rd
• Beast Placer
• Super 32 Placer

Notes: Kidd is another wrestler at 184 that has potential but needs some polishing. He finished 3rd only to nationally ranked wrestlers Mike Evans (now at Iowa) and Stephen McPeek (now at Bucknell) at last year’s National Preps.
Kidd can best be described as a grinder. He doesn’t give anything up easily and fights through all situations. He needs to use his hands more and recognize his defensive capabilities. Controlling ties would be a start. The framework is there for success. This season will tell us a lot about his readiness for college mat time.

11. Alex Utley, Cayahoga Valley, OH, *North Carolina*

• 2x State Runner-Up
• 2x Ironman Placer

Notes: Utley’s been a force in Ohio his entire career, losing only to some of their finest in the state tournament.
He has the fundamentals of a solid DI prospect. His defense is good and he’s rarely vulnerable to leg attacks.
My concern is his offense. He lacks a diverse attack or even a staple takedown. He needs to develop a more consistent offense and/or get opponents out of position.

12. Mike Mauk, St. Mark’s, DE, Status: Unsigned

• State Champ
• Mount Mat Madness Champ
• Beast Placer
• Bethlehem Placer

College Choices: Maryland, Hofstra, George Mason, Arizona St.

Notes: Mauk has a good frame for a future 184lber, though it appears he needs to get stronger. His forte is on top where he uses a hazard or a bar arm tilt. Still needs work on his feet and in defense.

Other Prospects at 184lbs.

• Mike Ettore, Brandon, FL Status: Unsigned
• Stephen Ceremuga, Commodore-Perry, PA Status: Unsigned
• Phil Sprenkle, Dallastown, PA *Lock Haven*
• Mac Bennett, Collins Hill, GA Status: Unsigned