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TOM’s Top 150 College Prospects 2011-12

By on August 8, 2011 7:30 am in Feature Articles, High School Wrestling / 33 comments

 

Willie Saylor, Editor

We introduce here the Top Prospects in order of what I project their college potential to be. Consider this a preview of our popular Top Prospect Report that we put out annually. My official Top Prospect Report, in its entirety, complete with scouting report, notes, and college choices, will be published in the coming weeks.

The TPR, and this list, are not dependent upon results, credentials, placings, comparative scores, or head-to-head wins and losses. Although those items can inform my opinion, college potential is largely determined by other factors: talent, work ethic, particular wrestling skills, character, and other attributes gleaned from, most of the time, seeing them in person, or speaking to those who work with these athletes. These are all High School Seniors.

While there may be hundreds of talented wrestlers across the country, and while there may be some dissension regarding the order here, you must remember one thing: the bottom line, which is, essentially, winning at the next level.

Two factors severely narrow the potential for even the most successful of high school wrestlers. 1) The less-than-eighty starting opportunities at Division I wrestling programs across the country. And, 2) each year the guys of one particular graduating class are competing for starting spots, conference championships, and All-American honors with four or five years’ worth of the nation’s top talent that graduated before (or after) them.

Take, for instance, Iowa’s Cory Clark, who is ranked as the 4th best 125lb prospect here. Extrapolate the Top 4 from previous years, and you end up with him amongst a group of 16 or 20 talented kids all vying for the same accolades. It’s a tough row to hoe.


In that respect, it’s not the most talented or most credentialed wrestler overall that gets you higher up the list, but in many cases, the wrestler I see that has the greatest potential to get to the podium at the next level, at their weight, and with the talent around them. The bottom line, after all, is earning NCAA medals.

As an example, take a look at 2009’s TPR in which I had Maryland’s Spencer Myers tabbed as my #2 HWT prospect. While he may not have been more credentialed than, maybe, the 5th ranked guy at 149, he was, in my estimation, one of the most prepared for success at HWT. Last year, he proved me right, becoming an All-American as a true freshman. Thanks Spencer!

On one hand, you can take this list and consider it my future picks, head-to-head, at a particular weight. In another vein, you can view it as a list of who I’ve seen that displays, in varying levels, the ingredients requisite of success at the DI level.

By State

PA 18
OH 17
IL 12
IA 11
CA 10
MI 9
MN 9
FL 7
NJ 7
WI 7
IN 6
NY 4
OK 4
WA 4
MD 3
NC 3
OR 3
VA 3
KY 2
MT 2
CO 1
ID 1
KS 1
LA 1
MA 1
ND 1
NE 1
SC 1
TX 1

The Top 150

Rank First Last School State College
1 Mark Grey Blair Academy NJ
2 Jimmy Gulibon Derry PA Penn State
3 Taylor Massa St. Johns MI
4 Jason Tsirtsis Crown Point IN
5 Devin Peterson Wisconsin Rapids WI Wisconsin
6 Nikko Reyes Clovis West CA Illinois
7 Thomas Gilman Omaha Skutt NE
8 Kyle Crutchmer Tulsa Union OK Oklahoma State
9 Mitch Minotti Easton PA Lehigh
10 Zach Brunson Churchill OR
11 Jordan Rogers Mead WA
12 Doug Vollaro Good Counsel MD
13 Zane Richards Carbondale IL
14 Rossi Bruno Brandon FL
15 Iceman Davis Sante Fe CA
16 Brian Brill Central Mountain PA
17 Tyler Liberatore Brandon FL
18 Brandon Kingsley Apple Valley MN Minnesota
19 Austin Georgen Caledonia MN
20 Quinton Murphy Holley NY
21 Devon Gobbo Delbarton NJ
22 Brian Realbuto Sommers NY
23 Nick Tavanello Wadsworth OH Ohio State
24 Gage Harrah Crystal Lake Central IL
25 Nate Skonieczny Walsh Jesuit OH
26 Eddie Klimara Providence Catholic IL
27 Max Schneider Lane Tech IL
28 Gabe Dean Lowell MI
29 John Meeks Des Moines IA Iowa State
30 Jordan Thomas Greenville MI Michigan
31 Brandon Griffin Sprague OR
32 Clark Glass Brandon FL
33 Jake Crawford Millbrook VA
34 Dom Malone Wyoming Seminary PA
35 Cory Clark Southeast Polk IA
36 Wes Phipps Grove City PA
37 Todd Preston Blair Academy NJ
38 George DiCamillo St. Ignatius OH
39 Alex Meyer SE Polk IA
40 Jason Luster Pitt CC PA
41 Sam Brooks Oak Park IL
42 Gabe Moreno Urbandale IA
43 Mike Kroells Scott West MN
44 Alex Cisneros Selma CA Cornell
45 Freddie Rodriguez Grand Ledge MI Michigan State
46 Isaac Jordan St. Paris Graham OH Wisconsin
47 Huston Evans St. Paris Graham OH Virginia Tech
48 Shane Hughes Arrowhead WI
49 Jack Dechow Richmond IL
50 Geordan Speiller Oviedo FL
51 Justin Koethe Iowa City West IA
52 Andrew Morse Lowell MI
53 Ryan Taylor St. Paris Graham OH Wisconsin
54 Tim Lambert Great Falls East MI
55 Kagan Squire Wadsworth OH
56 Willie Miklus Southeast Polk IA
57 Mark Martin St. Edwards OH
58 Steve Congenie Villa Park IL
59 Ben Stroh Chinook MT
60 Zack Nevills Clovis CA
61 Cody Allala Hopewell VA
62 Felipe Martinez Genoa OH
63 Hunter Weber Marshall WI North Dakota State
64 Steve Spearman Erie McDowell PA
65 John Rizzo Richland PA
66 Chaz Gresham Goshen OH
67 Jared Reis Napolean ND
68 Dakota Trom Apple Valley MN
69 Chase Ferman Broken Arrow OK
70 T.J. Fox Field OH
71 Kevin Beazley Detroit CC MI
72 Jim Wilson McNair CA
73 Matt Cimato LaSalle PA
74 John Dreggors Springstead FL
75 Tim Dudley Irmo SC
76 Brent Fickel Padua OH
77 Perry Hills Pitt CC PA
78 Nathan Kraisser Centennial MD North Carolina
79 Gaylen Edmo Fort Hall ID
80 Rylan Lubeck Wisconsin Rapids WI
81 Zach Witte Cedar Rapids Prairie IA
82 Jesse Doyle Wheatmore NC
83 Travis Morgan Stillwater OK
84 Nicky Roberts North Star PA
85 Taylor McGiffen Alton IL
86 Case Garrison St. Paris Graham OH
87 Jack Hathaway Iowa City West IA
88 Joey Palmer Orting WA
89 Natrelle Deminson Bakersfield CA
90 Eleazar Deluca Phoenix OR
91 Cody Ross Springstead FL
92 John Shupp Vacaville CA
93 Micah Barnes Simley MN
94 Drew Templeman Orting WA
95 Nick Herrmann Amarillo TX
96 Alec Mooradian Detroit CC MI
97 Corey Keener Blue Mountain PA
98 Randy Cruz Bethlehem Catholic PA
99 Dylan Reel Washington IL
100 Dylan Palacio Long Beach NY
101 Victor Pereira Newark CA
102 Jarred Brooks Warsaw IN
103 Dakota Bauer Iowa City West IA
104 David Reck Colonial Forge VA
105 James Jude Johnson Central KY
106 Zach Dailey Massillon-Perry OH
107 Silas Nacita Bakersfield CA
108 Scott Gibbons Archbishop Rummel LA
109 Devon Jackson Yorktown IN
110 Perry Hills Pitt CC PA
111 Cody Klempay Canon-McMillan PA
112 Ben Morgan Forest Lake MN
113 Zak Benitz Wisconsin Rapids WI
114 Reece Wright-Conklin Lawrence KS
115 Jordan Wohlfert St. Johns MI
116 Roland Dunlap Muskego WI
117 Greg Kuhar St. Edwards OH
118 Tyler Coates Ellensburg WA
119 Jordan Gruettner Muskego WI
120 Ryan Harrington West Morris NJ
121 Sal Mastriani Don Bosco NJ Virginia Tech
122 Brad Johnson Lockport IL
123 Phil Laux Iowa City West IA
124 Ty Walz St. Edwards OH
125 Dylan Peters Denver-Tripoli IA Northern Iowa
126 Elliott Riddick Bethlehem Catholic PA
127 Daniel Gaytan Clovis CA
128 Kyle Ayersman Lake Central IN
129 Luke Zeiger Glasgow MT
130 Jared McKinley Perry Meridian IN
131 Joey Munos S. St. Paul MN
132 Tony DeAngelo Southern Alamance NC
133 AJ Vizcarrando Wyoming Seminary PA
134 Chris Caton North Side Christian Academy NC
135 John Fahy Trinity KY
136 Sam Brancale Eden Prairire MN
137 Angelo Silvestro Marmion Academy IL
138 Ty Lydic Greater Latrobe PA
139 Max Hvolbeck Blair Academy NJ
140 Kyle Ash Tulsa Union OK
141 Chris Nevinger Letchworth NY
142 Will Switzer Archbishop Spaulding MD
143 Kyle Koziel Brandon FL
144 Kyle Begin Anoka MN
145 Mason Todd Pendleton Heights IN
146 Jeff Ott Belmont Abbey MA
147 Kalvin Hill Minooka IL
148 Dwight Howes Arvada CO
149 Anthony Pafumi St. Peters Prep NJ
150 Matt Meadows CVCA OH


 

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33 Comments

  1. David says:
    August 8, 2011 at 10:01 am

    Dakota Bauer at #103 is committed to Iowa State

  2. FortPitt says:
    August 8, 2011 at 11:37 am

    Perry Hills is listed twice. And he has already accepted a football scholarship to Maryland.

  3. John says:
    August 8, 2011 at 12:12 pm

    I’m surprised that Jake Elliott who won the 145lb state title in Ca is not on this list.

  4. Willie Saylor says:
    August 8, 2011 at 12:53 pm

    Elliot is a kid i considered. maybe on the updates and/or after s32. he had a rough fargo.

  5. Robert Thomas says:
    August 8, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    Shane Hughes (#48) is a freshman at Columbia.

  6. TOM Top 150 - HawkeyeNation Forum says:
    August 8, 2011 at 5:47 pm

    [...] TOM Top 150 TOM?s Top 150 College Prospects 2011-12|<? bloginfo('name'); ?> [...]

  7. blue says:
    August 8, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    Am I crazy or didn’t Nate Skonieczny tech Quentin Murphy at Flonationals?

  8. John says:
    August 8, 2011 at 7:09 pm

    Great list guys. I can tell you put a lot of time and effort into it. Just a couple things I would like to bring to your attention, respectfully of course.

    I am jersey guy, so it is regards to NJ. I see Pafumi ranked, which I agree with, but I also think you need to take a look at Tevin Shaw, who has a head to head win over Pafumi and a higher placing at the same weight class at NJ states. Also gotta say something about the omission of Alex Richardson, while you ranked Quinton Murphy so highly. One of those things is just not consistent with the other, logically speaking.

  9. SPGroth says:
    August 8, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    Cory Clark #35 to Iowa

  10. superflysnooka says:
    August 8, 2011 at 8:04 pm

    Dylan palacio? I can name several kids who are better in NY. He might not even be top 10 in NY.

  11. Drooke says:
    August 8, 2011 at 9:43 pm

    #15 Iceman Davis….great name!

    Nice Job Willie….looking forward to the breakdown!

  12. Willie Saylor says:
    August 8, 2011 at 10:32 pm

    blue…
    the discrepency between murphy/skon is because i evaluated murphy as a 41 and skon at 49. had i projected them at the same weight, their respective rankings might be different.

  13. NJfan says:
    August 9, 2011 at 9:55 am

    In NJ perhaps Willie rated Pafumi ahead of Shaw because I am pretty sure Shaw is playing college football. I know he has multiple offers. Remember this in not a ranking, it is what he thinks they will do in college.

  14. oldtrojan126 says:
    August 9, 2011 at 11:21 am

    No love for Laike Gardner again? He just split with Ferman at Fargo, beating him in Greco and losing to him in FS. 2nd loss was to Rodriques in 3 periods and SRod beat Murphy and Meeks. Returning PA State 2nd and Fargo AA both of the past 2 years.

  15. John says:
    August 9, 2011 at 2:18 pm

    Good point in regards to Shaw, but he is still undecided about whether he is playing football or not, he most likely will, but he has not ruled out wrestling as of now, so I think he should still get a look. If he decides not to wrestle, obviously he does not belong on the list. I think by the end of the year Richardson will earn a ranking from Willie. The kid just keep improving year after year. Leaps and bounds.

  16. Mike says:
    August 9, 2011 at 2:23 pm

    For some reason Willie over ranks NY kids from time to time. First Paddock last year now Murphy this year. Skon layed an abolute whooping on Murphy, the fact he is projected a weight higher should not influence the decision of who the better prospect is. That is unless Willie can tell the future and which respective weight class will be stronger. Def some questionable rankings, but that is to be expected when inconsistent logic is applied differently.

  17. viratas says:
    August 9, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    Then why read them Mike?

    Feel free to make your own list. As he has stated numerous times, he is willing to re-evaluate things based on info and discussion but being s snide know it all really does not do anyone any good does it.

    Also why not man up and post a real email address?

  18. Mike says:
    August 9, 2011 at 2:59 pm

    Lol. It is a real email address, slick.

  19. Mike says:
    August 9, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    Also, I only pointed out the fact Skon put a beat down on Murphy and is still below him (something I think you disagree with as well),if that makes me a know it all, than so be it. Can anyone really make a logically sound argument against ranking Skon below Murphy without using subjective assumptions of future weights?

  20. viratas says:
    August 9, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    Check your email Mike.

    FYI my name is not slick either.

  21. Pancho says:
    August 9, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    Skonieczny also has a win over Libertore as well.

  22. Willie Saylor says:
    August 9, 2011 at 7:54 pm

    im fully aware of the flonats result between skon and murphy. but i certainly think that what weight they wrestle in college has some bearing. maybe i’ll change it though. i’ll have to think on it. as far as lenny richardson, he should be in. and will be on the update. ive seen him several times. just happened to slip my mind.

  23. John says:
    August 11, 2011 at 4:29 pm

    Travis Curley beat TJ Fox of Ohio in 2 periods at FILA Cadets.

  24. John smith says:
    August 11, 2011 at 8:20 pm

    Superfly snooka Dylan palacio is a tough freaking kid and fun as shit to watch …. I would love to hear what seniors deserve to be on this list more then him in ny?

  25. erniec says:
    August 13, 2011 at 4:28 am

    Dean beat Peterson at FLO only losses was to Morgan MAC how did Peterson get ranked so high.

    Gaytan is way to low—just doesn’t wrestle those east coast kids enough I guess–

    Pretty sure Eric Guerrero and anyone at FLO last year would say Iceman Davis may be a top 5 recruit. He is Jordan Bouresq if that is a word—lol

    May want to look at Robert Marchese Oak Hills will be a rare 3x CA placer and solid upper weight.

  26. Wayne Nevills says:
    August 13, 2011 at 9:27 am

    #60 Nevills spells his first name Zach.

  27. Dillon says:
    August 13, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    If, this raking is about being on the podium in national tournaments Murphy has done that time and again look at the last two years.
    2010
    2nd freshman Nationals (beating Liberatore)
    3rd FILA Cadet Nationals(beating Skonieczny)
    1st Pan-American YOG in Mexico
    4th Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.

    2011
    2nd Flo Nationals lost to Skonieczny
    3rd Fargo.
    Murphy loosing in the finals doesn’t erase the fact he is a good wrestler with a lot of national success, not to mention a 3x state champion and 4x finalist. I’m not arguing the order it just seems to me Murphy looses a match and many want to question his ability. I see him as an instant impact to any D1 program and a serious all-American contender.

  28. secret says:
    August 13, 2011 at 7:17 pm

    were is Bo Jordan?!

  29. viratas says:
    August 13, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    It isn’t and we make that clear

  30. swag says:
    August 18, 2011 at 9:10 am

    Well I’ll speak for Kentucky since nobody else is able. John Fahy is leaps bounds a better wrestler then J.J. Jude. Now they are quite a few weight classes apart but Fahy hasn’t been challenged once in Kentucky against some of our better guys, while Jude just won his first state title, in a fairly weak weight class. Nationally I just know Fahy always seems to be getting hurt or sick, I know nothing about Judes results

  31. Eastonredrover says:
    August 19, 2011 at 8:14 am

    How do you compare Mitch Minotti to Jordan Oliver? Being a Rover myself, I like to learn more about Mitch. #9 implies that his potential is extremely high.

  32. GAS CAN says:
    August 22, 2011 at 10:49 pm

    Are we saying Joey Lavalle(Reno,NV) isn’t the best recruit in the country just because he is a junior??? Who ever signs him this year will have the best 2011 signing.

  33. Kyle says:
    November 7, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    Bo Jordan isn’t ranked…lol

  34. viratas says:
    November 7, 2011 at 7:19 pm

    LOL serious did you even read the article? Seniors…….. get a clue

 
 

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