2020-21 NCAA D1 Pretend Preseason Rankings

125

The NCAA has decided not to grant winter sport athletes another year of eligibility. These preseason rankings, however, have been assembled presupposing that those extra years were granted and that everyone elected to return and compete. We had to make a bunch of other assumptions too since it's April and all sorts of speculative lineup decisions have yet to be hypothetically made. So best not to take these too seriously, even though it would be incredibly cool if it happened. But no, only in our dreams. As real as it may seem, it will only occur in our dreams. 

At 125, we get the return of All-Americans Vito Arujau (fourth in 2019) and Rayvon Foley (seventh in 2019). We'd expect them both back anyway as they were redshirting last season. They return on either side of Piccininni and Mueller, who are both granted another season in our rankings thought-experiment. Arujau beat Piccininni at the 2019 tournament but lost to Glory. Foley beat a pair of All-Americans, namely Sean Russell and Ronnie Bresser, at the same event on his way to the podium. 

We're also expecting Brock Hudkins to get another year due to medical hardship, plus Sam Latona and Chris Cannon are coming off solid redshirt seasons as true freshman that warrant a ranking. 

Cannon getting the nod for the Wildcats means Michael DeAugustino would have to find another weight class. It's possible Sebastian Rivera moves up to 141, which would open up 133 for someone. That will be a decision Matt Storniolo will have to figure out, as all three wrestlers will be back next year. 

Questions or comments? Hit me up at @SpeyWrestle on Twitter or email me at Andrew.Spey@flosports.tv!