OSU Wrestling: Former Cowboy Christian Carroll Commits to Iowa State

Christian Carroll will still be around somewhat.

Carroll announced via Instagram on Thursday that he committed to transfer to fellow Big 12 program Iowa State. He entered the transfer portal a week before after only one year at Oklahoma State, during which he redshirted. Carroll will still have four years of eligibility left.

 

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There are high expectations for Carroll as the top pound-for-pound recruit in the 2023 class out of Jimtown High School in Elkhart, Indiana. He was listed at heavyweight this past season for the Cowboys and never saw the mat behind Konner Doucet. Carroll was expected to drop down to 197 pounds and compete for a starting job next season, though. Air Force transfer Wyatt Hendrickson, a two-time All-American, is expected to start at heavyweight for OSU this season. Luke Surber, who battled multiple injuries last season, returns as the Cowboys’ starter at 197.

Carroll became the third Cowboy to enter the transfer portal this offseason and second since David Taylor was named head coach after John Smith’s retirement. Sammy Alvarez was the first and only starter from this past season to do so. Alvarez split time at 149 pounds before bolting for Rider after one season in Stillwater. AJ Heeg announced two weeks ago he was transferring to Northern Colorado. Carroll’s departure will have the biggest impact, at least long term, on the Cowboys.

Carroll leaves the second-best team in the Big 12 last season to join the best. The Cowboys beat Iowa State 21-12 in a dual at Gallagher-Iba Arena, but the Cyclones were ultimately crowned conference champions at the Big 12 Wrestling Championships two months later in Tulsa. ISU posted an astounding 152.5 team points, besting OSU’s 141.5. The Cowboys’ 141.5 points was the highest point total by a second-place team ever at the Big 12 tournament.

The Cowboys and Cyclones will meet next season in Ames, with Carroll presumably making his GIA debut during the 2025-26 season. Yonger Bastida started at heavyweight for ISU last season after moving up from 197 and has an extra year of eligibility still remaining. He beat Hendrickson 10-7 in the Big 12 finals in a loaded weight class. A spot at 197 is open though, after Julien Broderson exhausted his eligibility. That could set up a potential Carroll-Surber matchup in Ames.