Originally Posted by
Big Bird
Eastern Michigan announced that they will disband their program. While I think it is awful, especially some of the decisions they made with it, the wrestlers on their roster are fair game now. They have several guys that would fill huge needs for NDSU. Actually, if you combine their team and NDSU's from this past year, it is really solid. Do I expect NDSU to get any of the top tier guys? No. But there is one guy that seems like a logical fit.
Sa'Derian Perry 141: The big one everyone is talking about, who went into NCAAs with a losing record and became an AA. He would immediately fill the hole NDSU has had at 141 and would still have 2 years of eligibility. Probably a ton of interest and competition for him.
Tanner Smith 149: I think he'll be the most sought after guy on the roster. He went undefeated in his redshirt year and notched some really nice wins over Jamal Morris and Matt Zoviotsky. If NDSU were to get him, he and Van Maanen could slot in at 149 and 157 immediately.4 years of eligibility remaining.
Mason Kaufman 157: He had a winning record as a redshirt and could come in and offer up depth with a chance to start. That is about the best opportunity he can expect, outside of a really low D1 school like F&M, Davidson, VMI, Sacred Heart, etc.
Andrew McNally 174: Started at 174 and posted a winning record. He comes with 3 years of eligibility and offers more upside than our guys this past year, while offering more certainty than Shearer.
Brandon Moen 184: He's the most likely get for NDSU IMO. He's an Owatonna MN kid and if he wants to compete for a D1 starting job, NDSU offers a fit. He didn't have a great redshirt year (7-7), but nobody will offer up a ton of money for him. NDSU offers the chance for real mat time and a chance to be close to home. I could see him winding up at a D2 school like Mankato too.
I didn't include Zac Carson, Kayne MacCollum, or Noah Gonser, as they either are at a weight NDSU has a strong starter or they don't offer enough years of eligibility. They also had the #6 HWT in the country as part of their incoming class, so he'll be available. I imagine SDSU will push harrrrrrrrrd for him now. Brandon Fenton ranked #19 at 120 and was a signee for EMU. If NDSU went after him, he'd likely have to sit for 2 years.