Iowa Wrestling just keeps hauling in the recruits this week. Ryder Block committed to the coaching staff last night to become an Iowa Hawkeye. Block is a junior at Waverly-Shell Rock (Iowa) and was the big remaining in-state recruit that I really wanted to see in the Iowa program.
Block won a state title at 106 as a freshman and placed second to future teammate Drake Ayala at 132 last season. MatScouts has Block ranked #13 at 132. He is projected to compete at 149/157 but with his frame and age I would not be surprised to see him compete at a higher weight class. As I mentioned yesterday I do not care about future weight classes at this time. That will take care of itself down the road. Ryder Block is a winner that you want in your program.
Block was one of 18 recruits in town last weekend for a huge recruiting push by Iowa Wrestling and is the eighth wrestler to commit to Iowa since Saturday. I do not remember Iowa Wrestling getting that many recruits to commit in just a week. Momentum is on the side of the Hawks and I look for the recruiting roll they are on to continue.
The “Big 3” for the Recruiting Class of 2023 in Iowa that I really wanted was a clean sweep for the Hawks. To have elite recruits like Ben Kueter, Nate Jesuroga, and Ryder Block in your home state and to sign up all three is a huge get for Iowa Wrestling.
Every one of the eight recruits Iowa got a commitment from this week (along with Ben Kueter on 9/19) is from the great state of Iowa. It is great to see my home state producing elite college wrestling recruits in numbers like that again. I missed it.
Fans should be excited about the future of Iowa Wrestling.
I will keep you up to date right here with any more Iowa Wrestling commitments.
I have been saying for years that Ryan Morningstar is the best college wrestling recruiter in the country and there is nobody better than Tom Brands at closing the deal for a commitment from a recruit.
Morningstar will find them.
Tommy will sign them.
Terry will train them.
*Rankings by Willie Saylor of MatScouts.
Class of 2022
Jace Rhodes
Mason City, Iowa
2nd, 5th and 5th at State
138 lbs.
Carter Martinson
Southeast Polk HS, Iowa
3rd and 4th at state
138 lbs.
Carson Martinson
Southeast Polk HS, Iowa
3rd and 5th at state
152 lbs.
Aiden Riggins
Waverly-Shellrock HS, Iowa
State champ, state runner-up, 3rd place
Junior Nationals runner-up
2021 Cadet FS World Team Trials runner-up
#3 at 160
Mickey Griffith
Des Moines Lincoln HS, Iowa
State champion, state runner-up
#18 at 182
Easton Fleshman
West Lyon HS, Iowa
7th at State, 3X Qualifier
Iowa State Freestyle champion
#22 at Hwt.
Class of 2023
Nate Jesuroga
Southeast Polk HS, Iowa
State champ, 3rd place
2021 Cadet World Bronze medalist at 51kg/112 lbs.
#3 P4P
#1 at 120
Ryder Block
Waverly-Shellrock HS, Iowa
State champ, State runner-up
#13 at 132
Ben Kueter
City High HS, Iowa
2X undefeated state champion
Junior National runner-up
#4 at 220
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
