Kolby Franklin announced on Instagram that he has committed to become an Iowa Hawkeye. Franklin is an elite recruit that is currently ranked #5 at 195 lbs. by MatScouts. Franklin will add to the very impressive Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2022.
Originally from Dubois, Pennsylvania, Franklin now attends Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School in Kingston, Pennsylvania. He chose Iowa over Penn State and Arizona State.
Franklin is a huge get for the Hawks for several reasons:
- This is the type of elite recruit that Iowa needs to consistently contend for the NCAA team title. A level of physicality, skill set, toughness and athleticism that will make Franklin a force as a freshman.
- Bold move for Iowa to go into the heart of Pennsylvania and sign an elite recruit in Penn State’s backyard. Franklin’s home town of Dubois is only 59 miles from State College.
- The timeline could not be more perfect. Franklin will have the option to redshirt next season as Jacob Warner completes his final year for Iowa. Franklin will be set to compete for the starting spot at 197 for the 2023-24 season.
- Yet another big commitment from the Iowa Wrestling recruiting weekend of October 9-10. Franklin is the eleventh recruit to commit to Iowa since October 9. That has to be a record for Iowa Wrestling.
- Franklin will be the first elite recruit to commit to Iowa from Wyoming Seminary. Not only is SEM one of the best wrestling programs in the country, they are loaded with elite recruits. Gabe Arnold (#2 at 170) was also in town for an official visit on October 9-10. It was also on the internet last week that 2021 (65 kg/143 lbs.) Cadet World champion Meyer Shapiro will be attending SEM. It would be great to see a pipeline of SEM wrestlers to Iowa City, Iowa to become Iowa Hawkeyes.
- Kolby Franklin is who the staff wanted. That is all that I need to know for a recruit. I do not care about rankings or anything else when that is in play. They would know.
I am excited about this recruit as I am sure you can tell. I should be.
Welcome aboard Kolby Franklin as the newest member of the Iowa Wrestling program and the Iowa Wrestling Nation.
Eleven commitments from October 9-October 31? Iowa Wrestling is on a roll. Momentum is on their side. Let’s keep it going. Who’s next?
Morningstar will find them.
Tommy will sign them.
Terry will train them.
*Rankings by Willie Saylor of MatScouts.
Iowa Wrestling Recruiting 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.
Drake Rhodes
Billings West HS, Montana
2X state champ, state runner-up
#22 at 152
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 lbs.
Mickey Griffith
Des Moines Lincoln HS, Iowa
State champion, state runner-up
#17 at 182 lbs.
Kolby Franklin
Wyoming Seminary, Pennsylvania
State runner-up
Cadet Freestyle and Greco-Roman champion
#5 at 197
Brad Hill
Bettendorf, Iowa
State champion, 6th place
#9 at 220 lbs.
Easton Fleshman
West Lyon HS, Iowa
7th at State, 3X Qualifier
Iowa State Freestyle champion
#25 at Hwt.
Iowa Wrestling Recruiting 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 lbs.
Ryder Block
Waverly-Shellrock HS, Iowa
State champ, State runner-up
#14 at 132 lbs.
Ben Kueter
City High HS, Iowa
2X undefeated state champion
Junior National runner-up
#4 at 220 lbs.
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
