Y2,
Agree with you that one year in the college room makes a huge difference. Hard to say if Nick Dardanes is an average college wrestler though he was just a redshirt last year. He was a top #20 overall recruit and ranked number #4 at 140 last year. Here is Minnesota's recruiting class a year ago. Nick won Fila Jr last year and came in second this year. But do agree that one year in the college room can make a big difference.
Minnesota
Top Recruits: (149) #15 Dylan Ness-Bloomington, MN, (141) #20 Nick Dardanes-Fenwick, ILL, (184) #57 Tyler Lehmann-West Fargo, ND, (197) #78 Scott Schiller-West Fargo, ND, (133) #81 Chris Dardanes-Fenwick, ILL, (141) #137 Seth Lange-Sturgis, SD
After two seasons with D1CW?s top recruiting class, J Robinson and Co. check in this year at #5. Six future Gophers are ranked in the top 150 recruits, headed by Dylan Ness, little brother of this season?s NCAA Champion Jayson Ness. Speaking of brothers, the Dardanes twins (Nick and Chris), both Illinois State Champions, are aboard to man 133 and 141. The #78 recruit Scott Schiller was a late signee that will help bolster 197, a weight that has not always been kind to Minnesota.
Past D1CW Recruiting Rankings: 2009 #1, 2008 #1