WORST Recruits Who Actually Won an NCAA Wrestling Title

[@FancoWrestling]

Are you shocked about anyone on this list?

[@thewrestlingguy123]

I was shocked about Seth gross

[@richvitale8405]

Jersey 1 state champ. You're a bit wrong about that pedastill

[@Spanky7]

Macchiavello is a great story

[@hunterdevo4547]

Haven’t been following long enough to know these stories. The video was very interesting and inspiring. Another cool topic would be if you could do a video about a wrestler/wrestlers that walked on and became successful.

[@hunterdevo4547]

@@jayamburn1959 nothing much man how about you?

[@DrJAWS]

Who are the #1 recruits that didn't win it all in the past 12 years?🤔

[@hunterdevo4547]

Good one

[@FancoWrestling]

Video coming soon. . .

[@hunterdevo4547]

You’re the man! @Fanco

[@ralphiewigs2208]

Pretty much all of them?

[@skylar7033]

@@FancoWrestling Taylor Massa

[@ikelasider1051]

Cassar junior year he beats #1 undefeated Kollin Moore at Ohio State -P State dual ;dominated him !! won the dual with that match ..But Cael wrestles Rasheed at NCAA's ...cassar still had 3 years of eligibility when he left Penn State

[@LexingtonPlummer]

I know this is NCAA D1 but Tervel Dlagnev deserves at least an honorable mention. Four-time D2 All-American, three-time finalist, two-time champion with an undefeated senior season and defeated D1 champion Dustin Fox at Midlands. Coming out of high school he “only” placed twice in Texas. One of his losses in the finals was losing by a single point to four-time champion Les Sigman.

[@ethiopianphenomenon6574]

he also beat Tony Nelson and nick gwizdoski

[@scourge8097]

Also...Texas, I know it's getting better, but that's fairly recently, no? I know they were NOT very good as a state just....20 years ago. In fact a few States like that...that have really gotten a lot better in the last decade or so. The ACC states, Maryland, NC, SC. Wisconsin...saw their State Tourney last year and it was...SO much better than the last time I'd seen it. Absolute studs coming out of that State in the next 2 years. '24 class may be the best in the Country.

[@ralphiewigs2208]

My favorite goes back a bit...25 or more years...Steve Neal. He didn't win the California state championships, not sure if he placed, and he didn't play football in college. YET, he won two (and nearly three...very close match with Kerry McCoy his sophomore year) NCAA wrestling championships. Then he won a world freestyle championship. Then he gained a place on the Patriots offensive line where he earned a few super bowl rings. I salute you, Steve Neal.

[@schenksteven1]

Neal placed 4th or 5th at 189 his senior year. He had a massive growth spurt after HS.

[@schenksteven1]

@Franz Fanon I'm not sure what you are saying? To place 4th or 5th you actually have to lose twice.

[@schenksteven1]

@Franz Fanon I'm not trying to be aggressive, but the California HS championships was a standard double elimination 32-man bracket that placed the top 8. Just like the NCAA tournament (minus pigtails). If you lose once you still have a shot at third. If you lose a second time before making the top eight, you are out. If you lose a second time after making the top eight, you are still in wrestling for 5th or 7th. Stephen Neal lost twice at that tournament.

[@schenksteven1]

PS I finally bothered to look it up: he took 4th place in 1994.

[@ralphiewigs2208]

@@schenksteven1 Thanks! I love those late bloomers.

[@bobziadie2988]

Going back a little farther, the great Bruce Baumgartner never won NJ state title. The best he did was third as a senior. He wound up wrestling at Indiana State and won, I believe, two D1 national titles and two Olympic gold medals in freestyle. In fact, I dont believe Bruce ever won a high school regional title until his senior year. He lost in the finals as a junior to my HS teammate Dan Slack, the eventual NJ state champ when Bruce was a junior. One note of interest, as a senior, Bruce beat Scott Bigelow, a future pro wrestler as Bam Bam Bigelow, in the 1978 state tourney.

[@dancrawley6582]

I know this is outside the 5 years, but how about Pitt coach Keith Gavin. His best high placing was 3rd in PA (AA small schools) and yet he won an NCAA title for Pitt in 2008! How about that for a level jump!

[@triguy327]

Josiah! How about the non-recruits who ended up winning an NCAA title? Derek Moore, now the head coach at Cal Baptist University placed 7th and 5th at the CA state championships. He walked on at UC Davis, and won the NCAAs in 2007. He was also the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the tournament.

[@ralphiewigs2208]

I forgot about Derek Moore! What an awesome story.

[@bretschumann5397]

That’s where my mind went instantly! Redding California.

[@droctagon529]

One of the most impressive finals results I've ever seen. He just steamrolled Lang from NW who was a tough sonofagun in his own right.

[@scourge8097]

That's where it's tough though. I went with Tim Hartung...he won a State Title in D3 in Wisconsin...but taking 5th in Cali...they're USUALLY gonna beat a small school champ from Wisc, or a hell, a lot of State Champs. That state, one division. Hartung went 3/1/1 and beat some studs. Fullhart who beat Cael to give him...I believe his first Freestyle loss and actually beat him at the Olympic Trials in one of the best of 3.

[@austinvandross]

He said in the beginning 2015 and up

[@collegewrestlingvideos7629]

Derek Moore, UC Davis highest placing at CA State was 5th. Undefeated season OW at NCAA!

[@reddragon3291]

let alone tech fall in the finals not sure if ryan lang was a number one recruit but hes up the with a couple state titles

[@kcmiles9832]

I agree. Derek Moore!

[@kurtjanicki7325]

I watched Cassar lose a heartbreaking 16-14 match in 2014 - his junior year in the Region V consolations when I was an assistant coach in a neighboring NJ HS, losing a bid to make the state tournament. It was incredible to see the transformation the next year! Our 195 pounder was the only wrestler to go the distance with him all the way up to the region tournament in 2015 - he became unstoppable over the course of one summer. Not only was Cassar a one-time state champion - he NEVER qualified for the state tournament before that, becoming one of only 4 non-freshman wrestlers in state history to pull off that feat! GREAT STORY!

[@pennystocklocks]

One of the many reasons I love this sport....If you put the work in you're gonna see results

[@robertwestover2125]

One of your best shows ever! Anthony Cassar is a testimonial to perseverance and never stop dreaming. And he defeated Gable Steveson not once, but twice. Excellent choice.

[@FancoWrestling]

Thanks, Robert. This was a fun video to make!

[@mark3799]

Haven't watched the video yet, but Carlton Haseleig may be the greatest wrestling story ever. Didn't even wrestle as a senior in HS as his school did not have a wrestling program. The guy went on to win 6, that's right SIX NCAA titles. Then he went on to became an all pro lineman in the NFL

[@seangarner2687]

New Jersey is way tougher in HS wrestling than Iowa.

[@diegopons4622]

Drew Foster has to be on this list. 🤣 (haven't yet watched the video) Of course! First wrestler that comes to mind. Never a state champion in Iowa, but goes on to win a D1 national championship at Northern Iowa of all places? That's a movie script waiting to be written.

[@FancoWrestling]

You’re good!! He was a on the list and a great story.

[@diegopons4622]

@@FancoWrestling It is. His story is very inspirational.

[@ncompton31]

If you want a friendlier title, most improved career might be better!

[@jomama969]

Idk man, when Drew was being recruited by UNI, they were being told he wasn’t even D1 caliber. On top of never winning a state title, a losing record his Freshman year, I think that’s quite a Cinderella story.

[@reddragon3291]

he was from mediapolis iowa and placed multiple years i do beileve

[@jomama969]

@@reddragon3291 I’m well aware. Mediapolis was in the same conference of the school I went to.

[@reddragon3291]

@@jomama969 i was way on the other side of the state lol i was a freshmen when he was a senior

[@jomama969]

@@reddragon3291 Mediapolis had a bunch of dawgs that year. The Erickson brothers, Drew, Steven Holloway, Drew Buster.

[@bobnoonan2470]

Anthony beat Gable twice!

[@GABEGRAPES]

Derek Moore from uc Davis won the ncaa in 2007 after only placing 5th at state in California

[@andu1854]

Derek Moore from UC Davis I don’t think was highly recruited, and he ended winning a title and being named most outstanding wrestler

[@justinhelin2752]

Great research…thanks! Another reason why rankings don’t matter (to me) seems to be motivation. When people get into college, some great wrestlers just lose heart, while some get and stay hungry in college. I also think coaching and environment must be huge factors as well.

[@brianforrester9670]

Chad Red is a perfect example of this.

[@Vanoozbree]

If Drew Foster isn’t on here I will riot

[@Vanoozbree]

No riots today… Good job Fanco❤️

[@COACHWARBLE]

Jersey is one of the only states with 1 state champion. So there’s that. Lol

[@mackcarlson94]

Jordan Burroughs almost didn’t get recruited only Nebraska took him and 2 national titles and 5 gold medals. Was kinda over looked in HS during recruiting

[@markbost5372]

Perhaps Josh Glenn from American University 2x NCAA Champion, NY place winner.

[@micahjosephson688]

"I don't normally put Jersey on a pedestal" LOL

[@Rob-J-BJJ]

I’m from jersey

[@jackchalance3542]

This punk is a pennsultuky JV HS wrestler who hates NJ.

[@cjohnsonisadrummer]

Drew foster is my number 1

[@greghilliard419]

How can you be a wrestling fan and not like new jersey? It's a top 3 power house year in and year out and a Tenth of the size of PA or California like you mentioned.

[@jeffh2732]

Kerry McCoy Penn State 2x NCAA Heavyweight Champ & 2nd, Olympian..Made Varsity as a Sophmore, didn't qualify for county, barely made states as Junior cause only one guy goes, took 2nd, only won states his Senior Year. 2 years later he was a National Champ HVY.

[@tomb4060]

That's in every sport. Rankings for wrestling, football, baseball etc. Many many number 1 picks don't work out when they were deemed to be a can't miss. Then you get the Tom Brady's of the world. So many things come into play, the one thing you can't measure is heart, confidence and you can't teach effort. Many lose confidence and heart. For the lower ranked athletes who improve something just clicks or they have a chip on their shoulder and that drives them. That's why it's so hard to get it right, it's the immeasurables that you can't scout. They might pass the eye test but it's what's inside that makes or breaks them.

[@Spanky7]

💯

[@ralphiewigs2208]

I think a lot of blue chip recruits are kids who matured early. They are physically dominant in high school but by the time they get along in college, everyone is physically mature and many are stronger and more skilled.

[@genghiskhan7041]

It's time to end the ridiculous "religious mission" copout. Matt Brown was 26 years old when he finally won an NCAA title, as I recall.

[@DeanMalenko120]

I agree these are grown ass men wrestling 18-21 year olds.

[@genghiskhan7041]

@@DeanMalenko120 Agree 100%.

[@dramaking9377]

Eye opening & encouraging for the lower ranked guys coming in

[@bigguccidrejones4183]

Mike Macch beat me for that state title smh lol. His senior my junior year

[@Spanky7]

At least you lost to a future NCAA Champ, did you win it your Sr year?

[@bigguccidrejones4183]

@Gears40 hell yeah I remember. I think you faced one of the Scotland boys that year if I’m not mistaken ?

[@bigguccidrejones4183]

@@Spanky7 yeah I was blessed to get another cracc at it.

[@preston6676]

Seth Gross surprised me...but all these guys stories are absolutely amazing wow

[@FancoWrestling]

Right?! Very impressive.

[@rpincus100]

Seth gross was a top recruit in the country that got arrested for burglary as a redshirt freshman at Iowa, and went to South Dakota state.

[@williambrown6059]

Look up Derek Moore he’s the head wrestling coach at Cal Baptist now. He was a one time state placer in California and wrestled at UC Davis and won A national title at 141 was outstanding wrestler in 2007.

[@TransNeingerian]

12 years and 1700 cells isnt that much bro. 0% chance you found the top 5 of your category.

[@cashrules520]

Carlton haslerig... won 6 NCAA titles 3 divison 2, and 3 Division 1 titles ... was the only member on his H.S. team had to get special considerations because his team didnt have a wrestling team.. only wrestle his sr. Yr but won a PA state title... 10-0 his sr yr.. didnt get a D1 offer went 143-2-1 also beat kurt angle.. got drafted by the stwelers and became all pro nevwr played football in hs or college insane.. R.I.P big man

[@siliconalleys]

Ben Peterson never won a State championship (WI), then won NCAAs. Then both Olympic Gold and Silver. His brother John never even qualified for State, then also won Olympic Gold and Silver.

[@adriandavis7384]

You can go old school with Olympic gold medalist John Peterson. Highest placement in state high school tournament was 5th. He was asked about wrestling for a D3 college while he attended.

[@RYAN_4_]

That’s insane. Going from not even qualifying for state to winning it the next year. How do you even do that? The jump in skill in just one summer is mind boggling. Can’t even wrap my head around that.

[@jeffh2732]

State Tournament in NY pre 2005 ish was one tournament, not 1a and 2a. Only the County Champ made state tournament, no wild card. You had weight classes in Suffolk county with Adam Mariano (top 20 all time HS wrestler-Penn State) Dean Morrisson -NCAA Champ, Nick Hall - All American Old Dominion in same weight class. 2 guys never made it upstate. The first 3x State Champ in NY was in 95, Then Jesse Jantzen was the first 4x, all before the wild cards. Now you see guys who take 3rd in county win states almost every year. State titles are different in every state. NY, NJ, PA, Ohio etc. much different than CT or MD.

[@scourge8097]

Tim Hartung University of Minnesota 2X NC, and IIRC...also a 3rd...maybe. Anyway, wasn't a top 100 recruit. Wasn't a top anything recruit. Minnesota didn't even want him. Had to send tapes to Minnesota after winning a D3 State Title at 160 as a Sr...and I knew a guy who know the UM coaches. They kinda dismissed it, paid it no mind. Then they got a highlight tape...kinda chuckled, but didn't need a 67 or 74 so...nothing. Then they saw him out at Fargo, his Sr year...and NOW they see him and I don't remember what he does, but they bring him in for a visit, he was either a walk on or they paid for his books...and he ended up winning a couple titles and becoming a helluva Freestyle Wrestler after that.

[@jlstock_1]

Was Josh Koscheck close to making the list? He never won a PA state title but was a NCAA champ and 4X AA. Unfortunately he had a severe neck injury in his Sr. Year.

[@williamobrien3448]

This video makes me wanna see a video about the cinderella story teams to bring home a top fourth finish at NCAA’s maybe Edinboro 2015

[@cashrules520]

Off the bat ryan deakin from Northwestern who was like 115-125th if I recall correctly

[@dangeurin1864]

Mark Ellis won it for Missouri at HWT and I'm not sure he was even recruited for wrestling. He won it as a Junior and placed 6th as a Senior. Bruce Baumgartner finished 3rd in New Jersey in HS.

[@avidadolares]

I would have said "who was "LOWEST" or "least recruited", not worst. Worst implies they were not good wrestlers.

[@DeanMalenko120]

Steven Neal 2x NCAA champ beat Brock Lesnar. Not a big recruit. Went in to win world championship in wrestling, Super Bowl champ. Cool video but you should really give this list some justice and do some more research that spans beyond just the last 12 years.

[@byah160]

Coach Pat turned State around. When I was in college they were trash besides Caldwell and gwiz. After I graduated they became a powerhouse.

[@natestakely1478]

Jeff Jaeggers below 5th (7th) twice on a 2 time natty bid. Andy Daniels OU Bob Kittys

[@humai771]

For me Jim jordan rings out in the never cut it, while respectable as a wrestler in his soft home slot he never satisfied past that, you wouldn’t see real respect until John Smith of Oklahoma he pretty much showed Americans the difference between respectable and truly gifted.

[@LeeBrosproduction]

My highschool wrestling coach always told us that any given day, you can wake up and say enough is enough, and go undefeated. That stuck with me.

[@randolphlex714]

Thats nothing i am from Wisconsin the best state for Olympic wrestlers in the 1970s pat Christiensen ncaa champ.from.oak creek never even made the state meet and later ncaa champ.john peterson did not make it to the state meet later won a gold medal.in the 1970 wisconsin was the best wrestling state period 6 Olympians

[@Tdinh79]

One of THE most top recruits that have been disappointing in these recent years is Jojo aragona. The guy beat Keegan otoole at super 32's and isnt even an all American.

[@brettwarner719]

Drew Foster. Never won a title in Iowa. Took out Max Dean for a championship

[@manifestationmanjegdiamant3748]

How about un ranked wrestlers going into ncaas that won? All time not just 2015

[@ericbonawitz5837]

Wasn't Ferrari number 1 coming out of high school and then won a natty? Don't know what years you were using as data points

[@kevinschudar5753]

How about Brock Lesnar from South Dakota. Steroids do a body good in his case.

[@fjbxrplover]

Worst recruit is a bad way to label these highly successful athletes. Least likely would probably be a little better

[@billybalentine8065]

That's what Penn State will do for ya.

[@FancoWrestling]

True. . .

[@billybalentine8065]

@@FancoWrestling excited to see how dominant Penn State will be this year. They're stacked as long as everyone stays healthy. Even in their weaker weight they have top 15 wrestlers with the ability to easily move up in ranking. Iowa should be exciting too.

[@reddragon3291]

please do the worst number one recruit that absolutely flopped

[@larbear3648]

JERSEY should be near the top of your list brother.

[@Chinoking]

Bryce meredith messaged you? I met him at a little league tournament

[@silas6151]

I thought aj ferrari was number 1 out of highschool?

[@walnutz8743]

Somerset county NJ has two national Champs in the same year

[@JSSS85]

Wasnt Ferrari the #1 recruit and won it all his Freshman year?

[@gj4king1]

What about brent metcalf or dustin schlatter?

[@Inlovewetrust10]

Gross was #1 in the country at 138 coming out of hs

[@lowsingle420]

New Jersey is a better HS wrestling state than Iowa

[@NatsFan18]

Spencer Lee wasn't #1 recruit out of hs?

[@Shawnthemfdon]

rankings are just numbers, just wrestle.

[@walnutz8743]

3 time state champs can't be on this list dumdum

[@greghilliard419]

Stop hating on jersey, you pa homer

[@FMNealII]

I swear I just after 2 minutes paused it to guess... Ed Ruth has to be number 1. I'm gonna press continue now, if I'm wrong I'll follow up with "I was wrong"...

[@FMNealII]

I was wrong. But, the other guys were worthy, too.

[@rpincus100]

“Worst recruit” couldn’t just call it the lowest rated recruit? Can’t put jersey wrestling on a pedestal? Yea jersey certainly hasn’t had many champs. And Wow you dug through through troves of data in that shot of you looking at your computer… 70 whole champs you had to compare? And find the lowest rated one? Wow man really some solid work for this video. Someone get this guy an Emmy.

[@dagothodros641]

Calm down grandpa

[@rpincus100]

@@dagothodros641 bad video. Do better.

[@neilgunns8391]

What? No NJ wrestling love. NJ is gotta be a top five in the country. I think I’ve even seen it at 2 on a couple “lists”. It’s got the perennial top team in the country in Blair, and Bergen Catholic can wrestle with any team in the country. Obviously a Jersey boy here. 😆

[@FancoWrestling]

Haha I'm just joking around, Neil, because I know you Jersey boys love your state. NJ is TOUGH with Blair and Bergen for sure.

[@goobergirl335]

Josiah you’re the bomb

[@plugcord1392]

I wondering who’s gonna be next national champ next year

[@FancoWrestling]

Good question! Who aren't we looking out for?

[@ronalddepesa6221]

Toughness of thr state is arguably the #1 factor. Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Nee York, California, Iowa, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Illinois, Virginia, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Oregon Texas need top priority. I am from Massachusetts and these were the kids at natiobals or in the NCAA who were good.

[@valiantthor-]

Even better. (ADAM WHEELER) Didn't start wrestling till H.S. in California, never qualified for the state tournament. Earned a Bronze Medal at the 2008 Olympic Games.

[@juanroman8551]

Derek Moore from UC DAVIS. One time state placer in California. 6th place to a National Champion and outstanding wrestler. Won by tech fall in the finals

[@intothecountry74]

Anthony Robles

[@bertamerman4456]

Wasn't AJ Ferrari also a #1 recruit coming outta hs to win a ncaa title?

[@FancoWrestling]

He was #1 at one point then he was injured and dropped to #10 on FloWrestling's big board.

[@scottnewman4788]

Spencer Lee wasn't the #1 recruit in his class? Geeze, then who was.

[@FancoWrestling]

In 2017 Daton Fix was #1, Spencer was #2 by FloWrestling.

[@tommyaiello2311]

I’m just waiting For an NCAA Wrestling video game tbh

[@dinocollins720]

inspiring!!!

[@danielfrankowski287]

Thats why we have to wrestle to see who's the best! Plus Bruce Bumgrander placed 3rd in New Jersey then win two ncaa Championships four Olympic metals "one gold".

[@waffler.i.p2077]

My wrestling coach beat Bryce Meredith in high school. But my couch isn’t a collage natty finalist 🤷‍♂️😂

[@AWCTB]

This gives me hope.

[@kennethclaar922]

Pat cummins

[@rickjones4539]

Check out Jesse Whitmer of eagle Grove iowa.he went to the Hawkeyes and never A.A. until his senior year when he won it all!

[@ws8061]

To add some perspective Machiavelo was only the 2cnd local of NC to ever win a National Tittle.

[@toddsibert6850]

Josh Koscheck never won a pa title won a national title 4x all American

[@intothecountry74]

Derek Moore

[@Lukenieto]

jordan burroughs is only a one time new jersey state champ as a senior and won olympic gold and multiple ncaa first places

[@intothecountry74]

Jesse Delgado

[@cgmoran91]

Great video as usual. It's not that rankings out of high school are wrong it's that they done see the maturity that it takes teens to turn into men. How many guys beat guys in college that that could note touch in high school? You mentioned Foster not winning a state title. That is a video I would like to see. How many NCAA champs were never state champs. Brock Lesnar is one.

[@ericanderson8057]

Not in the last five years but Ed Ruth didn't do much in high school and won 3 titles

[@xenonmaster6668]

What rank was Zain Retherford outta high school?🤔

[@Youknowmyname69.]

Very interesting video

[@jakewohltman8195]

mike macc