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Discussion Topic: Transfer Portal
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on April 7, 2025
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Is Cody Chittum really coming to Columbus? It has not been confirmed to the best of my knowledge.
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Discussion Topic: Transfer Portal
Jeff Mowrer added to this discussion on April 8, 2025
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Quote from Rex Holman's post:
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"Life comes at you fast. These guys have four years to make a name and cash. I don't blame them a bit.
The truth is these guys are the show. They need guidance to become their best version. A lot of times coaches get in the way of that. I needed Randleman as a wrestling partner. I didn't need all the other nonsense that came along with egos and arbitrary theories and beliefs. It's wrestling, you either can or can't.
Playing devil's advocate to my own argument. There are some coaches that make a huge difference in their wrestler's progress. i.e Sammy Alvarez @ Rider. You need the right structure and person to believe in you. Poor structure and negative coaches have derailed numerous careers. When I say poor structure, I mean not taking into account the individual needs of an athlete and painting practice with one broad stroke. One Size Fits All gets mediocre results unless your guys are all the same."
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Couldn't agree more with everything you posted Rex. Particularly your point about individual needs and one size doesn't fit all. It's something PSU and currently Nebraska do well. tOSU coaching has struggled with this and a reason they're likely not getting the most from their recruits. It's another reason they haven't been successful in the portal. Wrestlers aren't coming to tOSU for coaching. They see and hear the stories.
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Discussion Topic: Transfer Portal
Rex Holman added to this discussion on April 8, 2025
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I saw that Pinto is in the portal.
A couple things. Maybe I'm projecting but, losing in the round of 12 to someone that you should beat is absolutely gutting after giving everything that you had. Let alone 2 years in a row.
Also, you realize that some things that should've been addressed that cost you a match weren't. When so much rides on a single match or two, it can totally influence the direction of your life. Pinto is an excellent wrestler that would be an All American on maybe 7/10 weekends in March. He made a cut to 174 for the team. Something was amiss when it counted. Been there, done that.
You're ultimately responsible for getting into the right situation which encompasses culture and workout partners. Picking a school is a roll of the dice.
The people surrounding you are the ones that help prepare you and get to the right mental space. I suspect that Pinto was tight with Mike Labriola, both being from PA. Labriola left.
So, after a season when they start talking about how the problem is you, then maybe it's time to reassess and prove them wrong elsewhere.
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Discussion Topic: Transfer Portal
Ben Golden added to this discussion on April 9, 2025
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Rex, I hear what you're saying but if you're counseling a young person, how do you balance messaging between personal accountability and finding the environment for you?
Leaving current environment when you don't meet your goals is a poor DEFAULT behavior (my opinion of course) because it leans into blaming your problems on other people. With that said... of course the environment matters and can make a tremendous difference.
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Discussion Topic: Transfer Portal
Rex Holman added to this discussion on April 9, 2025
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I'm speaking from my experience. If I had not transferred out of ASU, I wouldn't have won a title.
Coaches sometimes don't 'get' you and consequently talk negatively about you. They're certainly not guiding you to greatness. Quick story.
I transferred home to OSU. I lost in the semifinals my junior year to Mark Kerr. Hellickson had dialogue with then assistant coach at ASU Melvin Douglas after that match.
Melvin told Russ, You watch, he'll fold and won't win his wrestle back and not be an All American.
A couple things. I had already AA'd by making it to the semis. Talking negative about me was confirmation bias in his mind. I crushed everyone in my wrestleback matches.
So, if the lesson is to eat a crap sandwich and continue to eat it; I'm out.
My take is that if you get the right training partners and coach that 'gets' you; outstanding things happen.
Get the wrong workout partners and guidance; lose the big ones.
And the current environment has everything to do with your success and failures.
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Discussion Topic: Transfer Portal
Scott Clemmons added to this discussion on April 9, 2025
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[quote="Rex Holman"]Figs was on fire in 2024. He started off that year with average results. I don't know the whole story, but I know he was wrestling more like the average part of 2024 in 2025. It looks like it might have been a weight issue as he is slated for 133 at OSU. Pretty sure he was talked into returning at 125 this year without knowing the details. So, there is that. Ask Adam DiSabato about cutting to 118 his freshman year at OSU. You kind of get bullied into things when multiple coaches tell you it's for the good of the team and you can make the finals. When you don't feel good, you don't perform well. Would you stick around and let that person make decisions for you going forward. The coach isn't all powerful anymore and the relationship is on equal footing (sort of). Momentum is a thing too and Okie State has it.
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Seth Gross posted the below the other day on X about weight cutting. He has a pic of him from the Oly Trials period in the link below. Yikes.
Let’s Talk About Weight Cutting
Weight cutting is one of the worst parts of our sport. I’ve been through it. I’ve done it. And I can honestly say, in hindsight, that it did more harm than good—physically, mentally, and technically.
Two weight cuts stand out in my career as being especially brutal: making 103 pounds my freshman year of high school and making 57kg for the 2020 Olympic Trials (pictured above). Both took a toll on my body, my mind, and honestly, set me back in my development as a wrestler. My technique didn’t grow during those times—I was just trying to survive.
Now, with more experience and perspective, I’ve learned how to fuel my body the right way and compete at a weight class that’s optimal for me. That’s what we need to start teaching the next generation: how to become the healthiest, strongest, and sharpest version of themselves—not how to cut corners and sweat off bad choices.
Nutrition, diet, and lifestyle are things we have to start teaching young athletes—early. This is about long-term growth, not short-term fixes. I see wrestlers eating McDonald’s and Crumbl the week of competition and then trying to sweat off five pounds the next day. That’s not fuel. That’s not helping your performance, your health, or your future.
Yes, have your cheat meals in the offseason if you want. Enjoy life. But when it’s time to compete, you should be putting things in your body that elevate your performance—foods that give you energy, mental clarity, and physical strength.
Parents, this starts with you. You play a HUGE role in this. The healthier and leaner your kid is, the easier it is for them to grow, develop, and find success in this sport. Let’s stop glorifying suffering and start prioritizing education, health, and sustainable habits.
This is something I’m passionate about because I’ve lived through the consequences of doing it the wrong way. Let’s do better for the next generation.
https://x.com/GodsWrestler133/status/1908628245123104781
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Discussion Topic: Transfer Portal
Jeff Streu added to this discussion on April 11, 2025
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Quote from Jim Kessen's post:
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"Hepner and Ferrari to UNC
97 Elam from Mizzu in the portal and supposedly leaning Michigan."
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Elam leaving Mizzou is not good in my opinion. Comparable to when Eierman left. I have a lot of respect for the 'Tiger Style' program Coach Smith has built, and they are a team I would love to see back in trophy contention. When they won the 2015 National Duals over Iowa it was an awesome dual.
I wonder if Coach Smith is similar to Coach Ryan in that they are trying to maintain the traditional approach of being loyal to their guys and not bringing in many portal transfers? That's a good thing, in my mind, but I understand it won't win championships these days.
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Discussion Topic: Transfer Portal
Drew Taylor added to this discussion on April 11, 2025
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Jeff, only 4-5 programs have money to make big moves in the portal.
Ohio State isn’t one of them. Missouri I suspect isn’t either. It’s that simple.
I do believe this era of the portal and NIL will soon push out coaches in their 50s and 60s. I’m thinking Smith, Ryan, Dresser, and Zeke Jones. I would’ve added Rob Koll but he just landed A.J. Ferrari at UNC.
Their programs have become feeder systems for the more fortunate. I just can’t see them sticking around.
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Discussion Topic: Transfer Portal
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on April 11, 2025
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Quote from Drew Taylor's post:
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"Jeff, only 4-5 programs have money to make big moves in the portal.
I would’ve added Rob Koll but he just landed A.J. Ferrari at UNC.
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Rob Koll is a fundraising machine. Listened to an interview with him shortly after taking over at UNC and he explained his full time job is to raise money and build alumni support. He's very good at it. Koll wasn't concerned about his first few seasons at UNC. He's playing the long game.
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Discussion Topic: Transfer Portal
Drew Taylor added to this discussion on April 11, 2025
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Rob Koll has great BS. And I don’t mean that as a slight.
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Discussion Topic: Transfer Portal
Jim Kessen added to this discussion on April 11, 2025
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UNC supposedly gave Ferrari 1.2M
Raneys brothers are on campus this weekend along with McNeil
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Discussion Topic: Transfer Portal
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on April 12, 2025
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Quote from Drew Taylor's post:
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"Rob Koll has great BS. And I don’t mean that as a slight."
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So does Tom Ryan.
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Discussion Topic: Transfer Portal
Jared Ball added to this discussion on April 13, 2025
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Quote from Hank Kornblut's post:
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"Is Cody Chittum really coming to Columbus? It has not been confirmed to the best of my knowledge."
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Rumor mill says it’s a done deal. Still bartering for McNeil. Everyone else and their mother makes social media announcements so so I guess that’s when it’s official.
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Discussion Topic: Transfer Portal
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on April 13, 2025
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Quote from Jared Ball's post:
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"
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Quote from Hank Kornblut's post:
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"Is Cody Chittum really coming to Columbus? It has not been confirmed to the best of my knowledge."
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Rumor mill says it’s a done deal. Still bartering for McNeil. Everyone else and their mother makes social media announcements so so I guess that’s when it’s official."
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Do you think the Bucks will end up with McNeil?
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Discussion Topic: Transfer Portal
Jeff Reid added to this discussion on April 16, 2025
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Quote from Hank Kornblut's post:
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"
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Quote from Jared Ball's post:
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"
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Quote from Hank Kornblut's post:
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"Is Cody Chittum really coming to Columbus? It has not been confirmed to the best of my knowledge."
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Rumor mill says it’s a done deal. Still bartering for McNeil. Everyone else and their mother makes social media announcements so so I guess that’s when it’s official."
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Do you think the Bucks will end up with McNeil?"
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Flo is reporting that Chittum sign with tOSU. I also wonder if they go after Fishback or even if there is room for him in lineup?
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