2019 Wrestling Lineup Projections: Where Do Joe Smith, Kaden Gfeller, and Daton Fix Fit In?

At one point in the middle of the season I broke down all the crazy variables that could happen with the lineup next year. Kyle asked me to throw out my projection for what the lineup will actually be and here it is.

• 125-Nick Piccininni
• 133-Daton Fix
• 141-Kaden Gfeller
• 149-Boo Lewallen
• 157-Joe Smith
• 165-Chandler Rogers
• 174-Jacobe Smith
• 184-Keegan Moore
• 197-Preston Weigel
• 285-Derek White

Here’s my rationale behind it. On FRL 275 Flo said two things about the vision for the OSU lineup that was communicated directly to them by OSU staff.

1. 125 and 133 will be Nick Piccinnini or Daton Fix
2. 157 is where they want and plan to have Joe Smith

I know people agree and disagree with Flo, but they spent that whole week with the Cowboys in Italy, and I don’t really see any way they made any of that up. Obviously their intentions could potentially change and whether or not Joe Smith can pull off 157 is the biggest question on what could happen with the lineup. If he can’t make 157 then the whole lineup probably bumps.

Piccininni didn’t finish out his season like he or anyone else probably hoped. Next year at 125 with a few guys graduating, a few possibly jumping up a weight, and after a good summer I think he can contend for a high finish. He’s probably top five going into next year. If he can figure out Minnesota’s Ethan Lizak and a few other guys, he could finish as high as third and maybe even make the finals if Rutgers’ Nick Suriano jumps to 133.

If Daton Fix goes 125 here’s how many times he beat this years NCAA champ Spencer Lee to make the World Team a few years ago.

I know the hype train is really rolling with this kid, but at either weight Daton Fix goes, he’ll be the starter and is an instant title contender. I think they throw him at 133 because Piccininni has more of an opportunity to finish high at 125.

Seth Gross could give Fix some trouble on the mat, but Fix can go with anyone on his feet. Ultimately no one clears out at 133, so what’s the upside of Kaid Brock staying there unless he jumps levels and can beat those guys he’s been losing to? There isn’t. Piccininni, with guys clearing out, just needs to beat guys at his weight he always has and he’ll be projected to finish higher than Brock would at 133. Again Fix is a contender at either weight, so I think they go with Fix here.

At 141 it would then become a battle between Brock and Gfeller to start unless Gfeller goes up a weight. Personally, I just think Gfeller will win that battle. Based on his resume this season he’d be a top five guy at this weight coming in, and Brock seems to struggle with big physical guys.

I know it’s almost crazy to say a two-time All-American in Kaid Brock could be left out of the lineup, but someone really good will be and I’ve just been really impressed with Gfeller to this point and don’t see Kaden jumping to 149.

Boo closed out the season really well at 149. Two things could happen that throw this off. Geo Martinez jumps back in healthy and goes for the starting spot or Gfeller jumps to 149 to fight for the spot. I still think Boo comes out ahead of either. Boo would likely come in top five at this weight preseason.

We know the staff envision Joe Smith at 157. Can he get down? If he buckles down and really goes for it, I think so. Yes he’s big now, but If you’ve seen Joe lately he hasn’t got any taller or anything and he doesn’t really have a chiseled build. He’s just bigger, and there’s a big difference between dieting and getting down to 157 over the next year and a drastic cut. If that’s the plan and he’s with it he definitely could do it the right way over time and still have success there. If he can’t, I think we see Jonce Blaylock possibly, but I do think Geo Martinez will make the bump and try and contend for the spot also.

If Joe goes up here they’ll bump the whole lineup, but with my theory that Joe goes 157, I’d expect Chandler at 165 again.

See above for Jacobe Smith at 174. If everyone decides to bump he’ll be the 184 probably, but I think he’d be really undersized there. Tough weight at 174, but a few guys clear out of his way next year.

With this lineup, 184 would be the weakest spot with Keegan Moore, but he had a good Big 12 tournament and qualified for the NCAAs. He could make some improvements and score points at the NCAAs here.

Preston Weigel beat two of the top thee finishers during the regular season at 197 before bowing out with an injury in his first match of the NCAA tournament. The guy that finished second graduated. If he can get healthy he’s a title contender. Arguable should be the favorite.

Derek White made the round of 12 and with five guys ahead of him graduating. He’s instantly a projected All-American with a legitimate chance to be a NCAA finalist. He does have some struggles with really big guys though.