2027 Big Board Update (MatScouts) AKA June 15th List has dropped. Will add some thoughts/Pitt connections, I did something similar in the winter that I will reference in this.
Removed From Winter Thoughts:
#1 Miller (Iowa 99% Lock) #2 Bachmann (No connection, Lehigh or Penn connections if he wants non B10/12) #8 (was #5) Tsarni (Cornell connection, super big into Free which we don't have enough support for)
Targets (Bold is Priority, Italics is new to my list)
Can't find the past rankings so any "Was" not posted is due to that
#4 (Was #17) Landon Sidun (PA, Norwin)- 120 (projects 125) see the last update (Page 2 of this thread) for my longer thoughts, but to update he went 30-0 this season, winning Beast (beat Bachmann), Powerade and Doc B. Missed end of the year with an injury, did not compete at US Open, hope to see him lift a stop sign this summer.
#18 (Shamus Regan (PA/SC, McCort)-120 was at SEM, now a McCort guy it appears. Fargo Champ, National Prep Champ, Cadet Trials 5th this year. Not from PA originally but he is in Johnstown now and he is someone we should look into.
#20 Brock Rothermal (PA, Line Mountain)-126 3rd and 5th at States in his career, Fargo Finalist, from PA, Steller Trained guy, has many very good wins in his career, another lighter guy that should be pursued.
#22 (Was #31) Gabe Ballard (PA, Northampton)-138 see the last update, since last year he moved up in weight, performed very well and made the state finals. Has moved up another 2 weight classes since then, could see him in the 141/149 range in college.
#27 (Was #34) Nick Singer (PA, FCA)-175- see last update, won a state title this year in AA, performed well at all the majors, disappointing cadet tournament on backside after losing a close match to eventual champ.
#30 Lucas Zalota (PA, Malvern)-285 Sophmore heavyweight with some good results and is highly ranked, he is in state and a good option if Brown projects as a 197, if he projects as a HWT then we don't need to worry about HWT
#34 (Was #21 )Greyson Music (PA, McDevitt)-138-see the last update, him and Ballard have had similar weight trajectories and have swapped in ranking as Ballard has seemed to have progressed past Music as of now. Both are very good and will probably be rivals if they continue along this trajectory.
#43 (Was #37) Zach Acquila (OH, Brecksville)-165 see last update, missed time with injury, is a not-that-often mentioned kid not far from Pitt who is in a weight area of potential need (always need more middleweights/upper-middleweights)
#60 Braiden Loiter (PA, McDevitt)-120 Loiter went 0-2 as a freshman at states, then as a sophomore came back and won a state title. He seems like he could be a 125 long term and is a PA guy that has made a large jump from year 1 to year 2.
#70 Brady Brown (PA, Derry)-190 Took 5th at AA States this year, but went out and made cadet finals at 92kg. That performance and the fact that he is a WPIAL guy really pushed him up on my list in terms of priority. He seems like another guy set to make an Elijah Brown like jump.
#80 Luke Knox (PA, Perk Valley)-165 - Went from not making states as a freshman to taking 3rd as a sophomore. Legit state champ threat next year, has 54 falls through 2 HS seasons. Real candidate for the 100 Fall club. If he makes another year to year jump like he did from freshman to sophomore he will be very dangerous next year and higher on this list.
#84/#85 ( )- Brandon and Austin Bickerton-113/120 (Highland, Ohio) Two brothers, thats been Pitt's recruiting recipe for a few years and we can continue it here. Further, they are Ohio guys with some good results at US Open and Fargo. Both look like they will be small but definitely should look into them.
#87 Kavin Muyleart (PA, Sem)-120 State finalist as a sophomore this year, it appears as if he is moving to SEM with Regan moving out. Has very up and down performances but when he is one he is dominant and can put up points from top.
#88 (Was #48 ) Dom Morrison (PA. Hatboro Horsham)-120. see last update, had a let down of a state tournament as he did not repeat, however he is someone who still has room to grow and improve, I think he could be back in the finals next year. Curious to see his performance in offseason events.
#116 (Was #63) Kai Vielma (PA, Connellsville)-132 see last update. Took 3rd at States this year. He is really solid, brother going to WVU so I don't think we get him. But he is definitely very good and a state title candidate next year
#118 (Was #89) James Whitbred (PA, State College) see last update, took 6th at states in a disappointing end, would be ranked higher if not for that. Placed at Cadet trials, is someone who has made major gains year to year, look for him at Fargo this summer. If he makes another jump he could be a very serious threat.
#120 (Was #76) Hunter Snyder (PA, Greater Latrobe)-190 see last update, Took 3rd at 189, winning 5 straight on the backside. Had some up and downs this season but is still a WPIAL guy who has some very good results throughout his career. Curious to see how Fargo goes for him this summer.
#133 Ray Fitzgerald (PA, Malvern)-150 Fitzgerald Took 6th at National Preps this year, just a solid kid who could make a jump, but if he doesn't would still be a reliable hand.