Iowa Wrestling went into beast mode for recruiting and it shows. Last weekend was the most impressive recruiting visit I have seen in Iowa Wrestling since the legendary Class of 1987 was in town. That is saying a lot. To have 18 wrestlers from around the country in town at the same time is impressive in itself. The environment that those recruits were a part of is one that will not soon be forgotten.
The Hawkeye Wrestling Club practice Saturday morning was a great environment to be a part of. There was a real good crowd of fans and the recruits were able to see what Iowa Wrestling is all about. There were former Iowa wrestlers in the crowd. I was able to talk to Willie Saylor of MatScouts who was in town all week. Nobody comes close to Willie in college recruiting rankings. That is why I only use his rankings for my blog.
If you sat down and scripted what would be the most perfect setting to host recruits in, you would not have come up with a better result than what happened in Iowa City last weekend. There was an Iowa-Penn State football game that you may have heard about last Saturday. What an incredible environment to bring recruits around. The buzz and excitement in Iowa City before the game surpassed any game day experience I have ever had over the years. That would include the #1 Iowa-#2 Michigan game in 1985. Words do not do justice of the vibe that was in the air. Tom Brands gave a rousing speech out on the field after the 2021 NCAA National champion Iowa Wrestling team was announced. The Iowa Football fans loved it. It was an amazing day to be an Iowa Haweye.
It had to help having Ben Kueter with the recruits on his official visit. Kueter got the ball rolling for recruiting this year with his commitment on September 19. The weekend got off to a fast start on Saturday morning when elite recruit Nate Jesuroga gave the Hawks a verbal commitment. As I have already stated Jesuroga was my #1 pick of all the recruits that I wanted Iowa to get. Could not have started the weekend off any better.
Later on Saturday it was announced that Aiden Riggins had committed to Iowa. That was another recruit that I wanted Iowa to get. Riggins will fit right into the Iowa program. Jesuroga and Riggins set the tone for a flurry of recruits that would soon commit.
Over the next three days Iowa received commitments from Carter and Carson Martinson, Jace Rhodes, Mickey Griffith, and Easton Fleshman. All of those wrestlers are in the Class of 2022 and from the great state of Iowa. That brings back memories of the past when the foundation of the legendary Gable coached Iowa teams were from Iowa.
Welcome aboard to the newest members of the legendary Iowa Wrestling program.
If I had my pick as the next recruit that I really want to see Iowa get, that would definitely be Ryder Block of Waverly-Shell Rock (Iowa) in the Class of 2023. I am not sure of his weight in college but I do not care. Iowa Wrestling fans, you want Ryder Block in the Back and Gold of the Haweyes.
I am expecting more commitments in the coming days and weeks as Iowa looks to secure great recruits. 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
Ben Kueter
City High HS, Iowa
2X undefeated state champion
Junior National runner-up
#4 at 220
*Committed to Iowa Wrestling and Football on 9/19/21
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
