2020 Redshirt Report: 285 Pounds
2020 Redshirt Report: 285 Pounds
Where we discuss which heavyweights are expected to make an impact on the 2019-20 NCAA season after missing last year's varsity action.
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As we say a farewell to kings of 2019 and prepare to enter the Xanadu that is the 2019-20 NCAA wrestling season, it is time to wrap up our series of redshirt reports, a topic that is closer to the heart like no other.
Who will step up to the collegiate challenge and be a Cindarella Man when March rolls around? There will be many contenders of course, but these reports only deal with folks who wrestled unattached or missed most or all of last season for some reason or another, which is why Oklahoma's Anthony Madrigal, who wrestled in the Big 12 Tournament last year as a true freshman, was not featured in the 133-pound report.
So like photons to Cygnus X-1 --the galactic x-ray source widely considered to be a black hole-- we are inexorably drawn to the ensuing NCAA season, about which we cannot help but speculate. As such, below are the heavyweights who missed last year's varsity action who we expect to make an impact on the 2019-20 NCAA season.
2020 Redshirt Reports: 125 | 133 | 141 | 149 | 157 | 165 | 174 | 184 | 197
Anthony Cassioppi, Iowa, Freshman
Anthony Cassioppi came to Iowa by way of Illinois, where he was a back-to-back Fargo double champ. Cassioppi kept up his winning ways while redshirting for the Hawkeyes, accumulating four Open titles and placing seventh in a tough Midlands bracket.
As evidenced by his Fargo stop signs, Cassioppi is well-versed in all three major American wrestling styles. Cassioppi's 2019 Junior U.S. Open championship is yet more evidence to this fact.
Former Hawkeye heavyweight Sam Stoll was hampered by injuries throughout his career but still heroically managed a bloodround finish in Pittsburgh. In need of a new anchor for their lineup, Tom Brands and the Hawkeye faithful will be counting on Cassioppi to make a comparable run or better next in Minneapolis.
Watch Cassioppi defeat two-time NCAA qualifier AJ Nevills at 2018's Midlands:
Tanner Hall, Arizona State, Senior
Hall returns from his redshirt looking to take a fourth trip to the NCAAs and earn his second All-American accolade after 2017's third-place finish.
The Idahoan only wrestled in one tournament while deferring eligibility, but it was the Midlands, and Hall won it, so that's pretty good.
It appears that Sun Devil head coach Zeke Jones is going all-in on 2020, and getting Hall back in the lineup will help them make a run at their first team trophy since 1995.
Watch Hall win a Midlands title over Conan Jennings:
Jere Heino, Campbell, Senior
Heino hails from the Nordic nation of Finland, for whom he competes internationally. Heino has been Finland's heavyweight representative at the last two UWW Senior World Championships and will likely compete in Nur-Sultan this September.
Heino isn't too shabby in folkstyle either, qualifying for the NCAA tournament twice, reaching the round of 12 in 2018. Heino being back in the lineup is a big reason why the 2019-20 season is shaping up to be a record-setting year for the Campbell Camels.
Watch Heino defeat Cassioppi at the 56th Midlands:
Seth Nevills, Penn State, Freshman
Seth competed unattached last season, but deferred enrollment rather than officially redshirting (also known as a "greyshirt"). Since Anthony Cassar announced he's coming back for another season with the Nittany Lions, expect Nevills to take an official redshirt this season, and wrestle unattached for the second straight season.
Nevills did notably defeat two-time All-American Franklin & Marshall Open Youssif Hemida, though that was Hemida's first tournament back in action after returning from the U23 World Championships in late November.
Garrett Hoffman, Bucknell, Junior
We're all witnessing a classic Bucknell Bulkjob in action, as Hoffman spent last season acquiring mass and moving up from 197 to 285. Last year's NCAA heavyweight finalists, Derek White and Anthony Cassar, set the precedent for bulkjobs, and Hoffman will attempt to match their accomplishments as a prototypical bulkjob. Working in Hoffman's favor is the fact that he can boast of being one of the three people that beat Anthony Cassar over the last two seasons. Hoffman defeated the NCAA Champ in a 2017 dual meet when they were both down at 197.
Isaac Reid, Lock Haven, Freshman
PIAA state champ from Pennsylvania powerhouse Kiski Area High School, Isaac Reid will be the favorite to take over the heavyweight spot for the Bald Eagles this fall. He'll replace three-time NCAA qualifier Thomas Haines, who is out of eligibility.
Lock Haven has been on a great run recently, and head coach Scott Moore will attempt to keep things humming in high gear with the help of guys like Reid.
Austin Emerson, Nebraska, Freshman
David Jensen emerged as the starter for the Huskers by the end of last season. He'll be challenged this season by several teammates, chief among them redshirt freshman Austin Emerson. The Michigan native finished with a 19-6 record while on redshirt, and will be a solid option should he be called upon to handle heavyweight duties for Nebraska this upcoming season.
Jack Heyob, Northwestern, Freshman
Heyob managed a 9-9 record while redshirting. He'll have big shoes to fill as he takes over for departing four-year Wildcat starter and three-time NCAA qualifier Conan Jennings.
Jordan Earnest, Ohio, Freshman
Let no one accuse Earnest of taking it easy during his year of deferred eligibility. Earnest wrestled in a whopping eight tournaments last season, amassing a 19-14 record.
Zachary Knighton-Ward, Hofstra, Freshman
Knighton-Ward earned an 11-7 record last season while redshirting. He'll look to anchor the Hofstra lineup and follow in the footsteps of recent Hofstra grad and 2018 All-American heavyweight Michael Hughes.
Did we miss anyone? Don't hesitate, RUSH on over an email letting us know who else should be included.