When the NCAA wrestling season ends, the two most popular subjects on this forum for the following month typically are (a) what happened at Nationals and (b) what’s our lineup going to look like next year. Well, so much for the first topic. Moving on to topic b, what is the team going to look like next year? Hint: I think it’s going to be one tough lineup.

I’ll make my own prediction with the assumption (probably 50/50 at best) that the NCAA may allow certain wrestlers (NCAA qualifiers or top 10 or top 15 qualifiers) a chance to return, with scholarship relief for the school. Therefore, my awesome lineup below assumes that Mekhi and David are that wicked 1-2 combo again at 65 & 74. But as Rokie08 said in a post below, letting a bunch of top wrestlers return could create all sorts of chaos for uber-stacked programs where the next “superstar in-waiting” has already waited one or two years and won’t stick around for another if a Mark Hall or Vincenzo Joseph returns. Who knows what’s going to happen, but I just like putting David back in this lineup.

My lineup also assumes that a couple of Tech’s young guys from the past two incredible recruiting classes are about to take spots from their more senior teammates – talent has a way of doing that. So here’s my lineup (with some commentary), and I think it looks like a top ten team again ... and maybe better than that.

25 – Sam Latona
33 – Gerardi
41 – Mitch Moore
49 – Andonian – Damn the kid looked great this year!
57 – Conner Brady – I don’t see him sitting another year.
65 – Lewis – The Champ is back!
74 – McFadden – Back at a better weight and going for #4.
84 – Bolen - He has to be pissed right now.
97 – Borst – This is a key issue for the coaches and Borst to decide. He’s a very good wrestler, but would do better at 197 IMHO. Otherwise, Cody Howard.
HWT – Catka – no red shirt. He’s ready to go.

What’s your lineup look like? Where are the tough line-up battles going to occur?