Even after 10 of the top competitors either leaving 57 or graduating, those 10 do not include Levi Haines or a redshirting Daniel Cardenas. You also have 5 AA’s out of eligibility but even with all of that going on there is still a lot of depth at this weight. Notable moves from Tyler Kasak and Antrell Taylor along with big expectations from Ryder Downey after making blood round as a freshman, Jacori Teemer moving in to Iowa, there are lot of factors to consider and a whole lot of shaking up.
#1. Meyer Shapiro- This is a tough one, when considering the top 2 at 157 it’s a discussion of which one will remain healthy and how have they bounced back in the past from injury. Shapiro has demonstrated his ability to do so, with three losses last season, 2 at the CKLV to Trevor Chumbley and Dylan Cardenas, where it is rumored he struggled with a concussion through the tournament. His second loss to Cardenas and 3rd of the season at nationals he was leading 3-0 and again suffered a head injury after being tossed. So with that in mind, Shapiro payed back 2 out of those 3 matches with a 10-4 dec. over Cardenas in the 3rd place match at nationals. None of us can disregard the facts outside of these losses though, at one point in the season he went on a 20 match win streak, had a 70 percent bonus rate, and had 16 wins over ranked opponents which was the most in the country. To add he also bonused 11 of those 16, we think if his head can remain healthy and with Cardenas out of the way, there is no one that can stop him. On paper, not so much going 8-3 against like opponents with Jacori Teemer who’s 14-0 and we’ll break down Teemer next, so after just one year he has a 29-3 record at 90 percent win rate. A #2 preseason rank from Flo and #1 from Wrestlestat.
#2. Jacori Teemer- Nobody else really fits here among the rest of the list, honestly being the number 2 isn’t completely correct here, it’s more like a tie for 1st place. We could easily put him at the top based on his performance against Cardenas. They’ve faced off four times, Teemer winning them all. One of our biggest concerns is the same that we have for Parco, coming into the Big Ten is a whole different pace so will he be able to keep up. Probably the biggest concern is a pesky shoulder injury that has been well documented, will it reappear and sap his performance? Will he finally be able to close out this year after numerous top 5 finishes in the wake of many big names that have come to Iowa in the past only to have a substandard season. If he gets in a title match with Shapiro who’s on his game and we see the same Teemer that faced Haines with no offense, it’s a sure loss. We want the best for arguably the greatest wrestler that the state of New York ever produced. 85-17 record overall at 83 percent win rate. #1 preseason rank from Flo and #3 from Wrestlestat.
#3. Tyler Kasak- We have yet to see what Kasak can do without any prior history with Teemer or Shapiro, making a move from 49 settling for a 3rd place match against Ty Watters. This will have to be a year where he finishes somewhere in the top 5, otherwise eyes will start to turn to Alex Facundo who probably won’t want to stay behind Mitchell Messenbrink, so the obvious move is to go down. We will get our chance to see how ready he is with a preview at the NWCA All Star Classic against Peyton Kellar. 24-5 record overall at 90 percent win rate. A #4 preseason rank from Flo and #2 from Wrestlestat.
#4. Antrell Taylor- This guy is an absolute unit when he’s on, everyone seen how well he did against Messenbrink. Probably will be the same against Kasak if he gets the chance. Struggled a little bit at nationals last year losing to Peyton Hall and Izzak Olejnik, but looking beyond the past will he be able to handle the weight cut is what we are normally interested in. He has always been super strong, hopefully his brute strength can be maintained through this cut. 27-15 record overall at 64 percent win rate. A not so favorable #7 preseason rank from Flo and #7 from Wrestlestat.
#5. Payton Keller- debatably should rank higher on this list, in a world full of flashy NIL deals this man has stuck with Ohio from day 1 which is highly respectable. Placed 5th at nationals last year with a tight loss to Jared Franek in round 2, then blew through the consolations until Cardenas pinned him in the semis, ultimately settling for 5th over Bryce Andonian by fall 3 minutes in. More than ready to see him matchup against Tyler Kasak in a couple weeks at the NWCA. Really hope to see him and Taylor move higher than what the professional community predictions are. 58-17 record overall at 90 percent win rate. A #5 preseason rank from Flo and #4 from Wrestlestat.
#6. Ryder Downey- On paper we guess he belongs here, super technical wrestler that had a great freshman year capsizing a lot of guys to make a finish in the blood round. Not a dark horse contender as a lot of eyes are on him, but wouldn’t be surprised if he pushes his way into the top 5. Took the Big 12 title last year, majored 6 guys and tech’d 4 so no doubt a contender and will make the podium this year. 30-10 record overall at 75 percent win rate. A #6 preseason rank from Flo and #5 from Wrestlestat.
#7. Ed Scott- Seeking a second AA’s this year he’s been a 4X qualifier, Scott is kind of a wildcard. Great example are his matches against Bryce Andonian last year, majored him at the ACC Championships but then turns and almost gets majored by him at nationals. Flip flopped with Sonny Santiago losing 12-5 in February and turns around at ACC’s and wins 8-2. Those are some rather large swings, but to his credit he did beat Downey last and also beat out Cody Chittum for a Big 12 title in the past, wish he could move beyond the boom or bust reputation. 77-26 record overall at 74 percent win rate. A #8 preseason rank from Flo and #6 from Wrestlestat.
#8. Paniro Johnson- Losing a year of eligibility only to be found not guilty on gambling conspiracies that plagued the Iowa teams has to be gut wrenching for Iowa State even though it’s now considered a redshirt season. There are a lot of people that could fill out at #8 with guys like Paddy Gallagher, Teague Travis, or possibly a breakout year from Johnny Lovett who has more nationals experience than any one on this list. In 2022-2023 it seems that he handled his weight better at 57 than at 49 which reflects his performance, with this resolved he could move up higher on this list. 24-7 record overall at 77 percent win rate. A #11 preseason rank from Flo and #11 from Wrestlestat.
Overall this weight looks really solid even after counting out Cardenas and the departure of Haines this really isn’t a top 2 or top 3 race. The addition of Kasak and Taylor along with a move from Teemer and a hopeful ravenous return from Downey shows a storm of uncertainty brewing at 57.