Regarding next year's lineup - do you think we will roll with guys on the
roster or will we mine the portal for 165 and 184. That assumes Burton goes 174...
If Burton doesn't get back down to 165, that that to me is the biggest hole. We haven't been able to recruit that weight in forever.
I love how Desiante and Bullock turned it on to close out the year, but they really had lackluster seasons up to that point. Was Bullock's improvement a sign that he's capable of continuing to improve? Could we get more production here?
15 Replies
4mo
in my opinion. Still needs to open up his offense a little bit, but there was progress
(In response to this post by goodbadugly)
4mo
Have been a huge turning point for him.
Certainly a lot of other factors at play, but I do think that if he makes that happen, goes in a 50-50 matchup with some momentum against a familiar opponent, I don't think it is a stretch to say he could have taken that same path Hepner did to the podium.
(In response to this post by HokieToph)
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dallasvt
4mo
in duals, someone who can finish top 2 in the ACC and an NQ, I agree. If AA threat is part of the meaning, then I do not agree (based on what I have seen to date).
** Edited by dallasvt at 3/31/2026, 1:29:54 PM
(In response to this post by HokieToph)
4mo
I think all of our upperweights fit the first definition, and that is impressive, but we need AA contenders if we want to be a trophy contender.
(In response to this post by dallasvt)
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VTDante
4mo
have increased significantly in the NIL portal era. As improved as we will be, there is no guarantee we have enough AA caliber talent across the board. The 2026 team scores for P2-4 are 18% to 31% higher than the five-year average. 5th place has seen a significant jump, too.
Here are the 5 year trends for places 2nd - 5th.
5th Place
2026 - 84.5 (29% above 5YR average)
2025 - 51.5
2024 - 67
2023 - 64.5
2022 - 59.5
4th Place
2026 - 92.5 (22% above 5YR average)
2025 - 81
2024 - 68.5
2023 - 70.5
2022 - 66.5
3rd Place (18% above 5YR average)
2026 - 100.5
2025 - 102.5
2024 - 71
2023 - 76.5
2022 - 74
2nd Place (32% above 5YR average)
2026 - 131
2025 - 117
2024 - 72.5
2023 - 82.5
2022 - 95
VT Example
Let's assume Seidel, Bo, and Hitman score a combined 48 points (average of NCAA 3rd place + advancement + 4 bonus points each). We will likely need to double that point total to take 4th place.
While we have other AA caliber wrestlers like Eddie, Gaj, Burton, and Sonny, signing a similar type of wrestler or better at either 165 or 184 would certainly help increase our point total and also mitigate a likely disappointing result from one of our other AA caliber guys.
If 96 points is the magic podium number, we will need 4-5 wrestlers to score approximately 10-12 points each which would be 5th-6th place finishes. The staff has to consider if someone like a Jaxon Smith gives the team a better chance to earn AA points at 184 than current wrestlers in the room like Bullock or Desiante.
(In response to this post by goodbadugly)
4mo
70 points puts us in the conversation based on those numbers. 80 and you're eeling pretty good. I think our big 3 score around 60 with the kind of bonus Aaron and Bo put up.
(In response to this post by VTDante)
4mo
Close - but going to need some more firepower as detailed above in order to have a solid shot at a Team Trophy…
I think Sonny & Jimmy can do it BUT:
1) They need competition to push them.
2) They need training partners with different skill sets/tactics..
3) Ideally at least augmenting Coach Haught - maybe a resident athlete heavy.
4) Jimmy appears to need to really dedicate to his craft - hoping Henson, Bo, Seidel can inspire/drive these guys on the cusp up another level. Diet & strength. Looks the same as he did as a true freshman.
5) Sonny gets in his own head. He adapted & didn’t just let people get to his legs & scramble on his end of season hot streak - then NCAAT he reverted (for some reason) back to that strategy & it cost him…
6) Assuming Burton goes 174 as Mole stated the other day. 157, 165 & 184 are potential portal options. Unless Gaj can add good/weight & strength and be as effective at 157 as he was at 149 (early last season he wasn’t as good at 157 as 149). And/or Noah can jump a level plus be an AA guy at 157/165 or needs another year to adjust. And I mean like a solid AA guy - they knew Seidel was going to be Top 4. There are going to be guys - especially one year guys - available here very shortly….
Go Hokies
(In response to this post by VTDante)
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dallasvt
4mo
definitely can.
(In response to this post by 133966Hokie)
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donjfs3
4mo
Same at 165 I think we'd look for guys but not sure they're out there.
(In response to this post by VTDante)
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VTDante
4mo
(In response to this post by donjfs3)
4mo
I hope we target someone at 165/174 opposite Burton and 184 if someone becomes available. I wouldn't be opposed to the right heavyweight either. Even if he keeps his spot, I think a competition might be good for Jimmy's development.
(In response to this post by goodbadugly)
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donjfs3
4mo
165 looks like Garvin is Iowa or Iowa State bound, outside of that there are some Ivy 157's that may need a new home and may be able to bump up. At 184 I'm not seeing an obvious upgrade. HWT I don't think we get a 1-2 year rental that wants to compete with Mullen and we're not running Mullen out of town.
I could be wrong and things could get crazy but as of now I'd expect we hang tight and monitor, if an obvious guy jumps in that changes things.
(In response to this post by Hikinghokie)
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emhokie
4mo
He’s not gonna crack the PSU line up anytime soon at either 57 or 65.
A bulk job and a new program wouldn’t shock me
(In response to this post by donjfs3)
4mo
What’s going to happen to Kasak? He’s already redshirted now too.
Henckel redshirted as well. Same for Asher Cunningham…
Oh & Jayden James as well (maybe he redshirts as Messenbrink will be a senior next year and then 165 is “open” among their others…
Going to be fascinating…
(In response to this post by emhokie)
4mo
(In response to this post by emhokie)