Iowa men’s wrestling emphasizes opportunity with impact transfers and roster uncertainty

IOWA CITY — Iowa Coach Tom Brands emphasized the importance of opportunities.

Opportunities for some new faces that popped out of the transfer portal, ones in front of younger Hawkeyes with the potential to break through and the possibility to reclaim opportunities for some Hawkeye veterans.

“When you look at where we go from here now, it's about opportunities,” Brands said Thursday during the men’s wrestling program’s annual media day at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. “It always is. Our guys, every one of them that you're going to see downstairs, have an opportunity.”

The Hawkeyes return three All-Americans from last year’s NCAA and Big Ten Championships runner-up team, including national finalist Real Woods. Iowa also welcomed four notable transfers in All-Americans Jared Franek and Michael Caliendo from North Dakota State to fortify depth, which could be crucial this season.

Multiple Iowa programs, including men's wrestling, have dealt with an investigation into gambling by student-athletes. The athletes and how many involved have not been made public, officially, however, Nelson Brands confirmed in a message with The Gazette that he has been included in the sports wagering investigation. The Des Moines Register reported that Abe Assad confirmed he was under investigation also.

Status updates are expected within the next two weeks.

“As you know, we are in the middle of a situation here regarding sports wagering reinstatement," Tom Brands said. "The (NCAA) Division I Council, President (Charlie) Baker, they're working hard to get it right. That's a good thing.

“We know that November 8 we're going to know more, and we're hopeful that we'll have a decision then.”

Tom Brands credited NCAA leadership for attempting to address the situation appropriately. He also praised Iowa’s administration for their support.

“This has never been an issue where these guys have not been accountable,” Tom Brands said. “They've told the truth. They've been accountable. Let the punishment fit the crime.

“That's where we're at with that.”

The Hawkeyes have been focused on business as usual. They worked throughout the postseason to add to the program’s 24 national championships and the 85 individual titles earned by 55 wrestlers. Tom Brands said they have been patient, facing adversity by controlling what they can control.

“Just really having a positive perspective on the whole thing and understanding that it is what it is at the end of the day but you have to take the next step forward and keep moving on,” Woods said of how the team has approached the uncertainty. “Keep pushing to where we want to be and that’s at the top.”

The Hawkeyes’ lineup is highlighted by Woods, All-Americans Nelson Brands (174), Abe Assad (184) and heavyweight Tony Cassioppi. Franek placed fourth at 157 at NCAAs, while Caliendo was seventh at 165 last season for North Dakota State.

Woods was the 141-pound runner-up in March with a 20-1 mark and is a favorite to win it this season. He was hampered by injuries last season and is healthy now.

One aspect has been a focus.

“Just that main point of consistency,” said Woods, a 2023 Big Ten champion and three-time All-American. “I think that out of anything outside of something technical with my wrestling that consistency is what I looked to make a point of.”

Drake Ayala (125), Brody Teske (133), Cobe Siebrecht (157) and Patrick Kennedy are NCAA qualifiers, as is Oklahoma State 149-pound transfer Victor Voinovich.

Ayala will reclaim the 125-pound spot to replace three-time NCAA champion and two-time Hodge Trophy winner Spencer Lee. Ayala redshirted last season, wrestling for an injured Lee two seasons ago. He has made some big gains over the last year.

“Drake Ayala is awesome,” Tom Brands said. “He's a leader. He's everything that you want lifestyle wise, so on, so forth. You say that a lot. Coaches want that a lot. I think that's why it's stated a lot.

“Drake Ayala is the epitome of that. He doesn't want credit. He shies from it. I know that he knows that he has work to do, and he's humbly working.”

Newcomers like Franek, Caliendo, Voinovich and former Oklahoma 125-pounder Joey Cruz have acclimated well. Everyone is bonded by a common goal.

“We all want to be the best in the world,” Cassioppi said. “Those guys who have come over and come to this program have the same goal. They’ve got the same mindset as all the guys who have already been here. They fit in real well. Everybody gets along real well.”

Woods transferred to Iowa before last season. He knows about the transition and helped with the acclimation, stressing the need to get acquainted with everyone and understand the support that surrounds them.

“I’ve helped just letting them know it’s a brotherhood here,” Woods said. “Have that instant ability to trust and have faith in the people around you. It’s hard to do that, especially coming from not being around the situation at all.”

Changes to the NDSU coaching staff and roster compelled Franek to transfer. Iowa wasn’t a consideration out of high school, but it seems to be a good fit now. He said the coaches and teammates will allow him to evolve as a wrestler.

“When you come to an established program like this there is different training and different techniques,” Franek said. “A lot of different things I’m looking to help build who I am but not change who I am.

“Bringing what’s worked for me at NDSU and adding on here and there with world-level coaching and practice partners.”

Caliendo’s decision made it easier for Franek to make the move. Both give Iowa strong podium contenders in the middle of the lineup to possibly contend with Siebrecht and Kennedy. They also allow Brands some flexibility with moving guys around the lineup. Their impact is already felt in the wrestling room.

“They’ve added a lot of good energy in the room,” Woods said of Franek and Caliendo. “Definitely their skills. They wrestle at such a high level that it helps build the room around us, too.”

Voinovich jumped the fence of one of college wrestling’s biggest rivalries. The former Cowboy joins the likes of Steve Mocco and Ray Brinzer in wrestling for the top-two programs in the history of the sport.

Voinovich arrived in the summer. He enjoys training with wrestlers with a similar approach.

“Everyone is coming in ready to work, wanting to win,” Voinovich said. “Everyone on the team wants to win. It’s nice to be surrounded by people that are like-minded.”

Kolby Franklin and Zach Glazier have the chance to step in at 197, replacing NCAA finalist Jacob Warmer.

Some young guns like former Waverly-Shell Rock teammates redshirt freshman Aiden Riggins and freshmen Ryder Block and former Iowa City High teammates Gabe Arnold and Ben Kueter, who has been encouraged to focus on football until after a bowl game, could see action.

“I stated earlier about opportunity for everybody on the roster, and that means everybody. Everybody on that roster has an opportunity now,” Tom Brands said. “I don't know how much emphasis we're going to put on a wrestle-off situation. This is something where the eyeball test is important. We've got a lot of upgrade in the depth of that roster.”

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