If Robie can recruit over any weight I'm for it. I think the collective freakout over a guy not wrestling to his potential in his first year starting is a bit overblown. Sasso has shown flashes This Year so forgive me if I'm not going to write him off as a bust. I do think the concern over development at the upper weights is fair although there's plenty of catastrophizing going around. I get that it's hard to have perspective when Tech has generational talent at 125-157 if you count Bo and Melvin.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
This is year three for Sasso in the program. Went 11-8 in 2023-24. Went 10-1 in 2024-25 before injury.
Sasso is just one of four weights where there are concerns though. Does Gage get back? If not, what's the plan at 184?
Mullen drives me nuts because he seems to wrestle differently so many times out. Some nights he is Uber aggressive and blows guys out in the first. Other nights he is hesitant and super cautious almost to the point of stalling.
174 with Desiante/Burton seems to have more of a plan.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Yeah 184 is the biggest immediate question mark. I'm not sure what Robie and staff are going to do there. I know fans have their eyes on the guy from Maryland if Tech goes back to the transfer market. I'm with you on the Mullen frustration. Guy is extremely talented but some times he doesn't get after it. The Pitzer match was a prime example. That and he dives under sometimes and gets himself in trouble. He is fast enough to get better angles. I wonder if Desiante is big enough to bump up next year if Burton can go 174.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Mullen wrestles like a guy with no game plan match to match. He doesn't have any go-to offense, so he cant press any specific action or pattern. I'm reasonably sure if he had 10 seconds to score, there would be no offensive game plan in his head. It's disappointing for a guy at his level and physical abilities.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Here's a fun fact. After the National Duals back in November. Colin Gaj was 0 and 4. Ever since he stayed at 149. He has gone 17 and 3. And he has avenged two of those losses
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Some Wrestlestat data
The future just keeps looking brighter
2026 redshirt rankings:
DC is #1 ranked @ 133
Gorman #2 @ 141
Caleb #1 & # 4 NN @ 149
RB #1 & Weader #4 @. 165
As to AS, truly killing it so far.
Match Power
#1 Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) 5.375
#2 Josh Barr (Penn State) 5.077
#2 Aaron Seidel (Virginia Tech) 5.077
This is an elite list.
And an update on Rocha
Jonathan Rocha (Clovis North) — 215 pounds
Rocha dropped a one-point match in last year's state finals at 190. The Virginia Tech recruit is undefeated this year and posting a bonus-point rate of more than 90 percent.
Our depth is insane
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Rock said after the match that he thought this could be the start of a 6 to 7 year run by Tech in the rivalry. It's easy to see why he thinks that when you look at these projections.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Comments
Crook loses 7-2 to Jack
Hokies 8 - Wolfpack 3
Gaj vs Buesgens
Scoreless after 1st. Gaj avoids two ankle picks
Gaj gets 4 back points to start 2nd
Gaj rides him out fir 2nd. 4-0 with 2m RT
Quick escape in 3rd. 5-0
Gaj upsets #5. Wins 6-0
Hokies 11 - Puppies 3
Seidel looks the truth.
Gaj is the guy.
Ethen Miller vs unranked Felix
Takedown Miller 3-0
Rides out 1st. 3-0 Miller on top in 2nd
4 back points. 7-0
Rides him out for 2nd. Starts down in 3rd. RT nearly secure
Escape 8-0
RT secure
Takedown and escape. 12-1 for major decision
Hokies 15 - Puppies 3
I love that he toyed with going for the tech fall at the end, that's a winning mentality we need
One more win puts us on a really good position
Burton vs Denny
Scoreless after first.
Burton down and immediately escapes.
1-0
Denny gets takedown. Escape makes it 3-2
Escape in 3rd 4-2.
Burton hit with stall warning
Burton awarded takedown but now officials conferring
Call confirmed
5-4
Escape 5-5
Denny gets given takedown with 19 seconds left
Burton loses 8-5
Hokies 15 - Puppies 6
What do we think? 1 more W? 2?
Depends on how this next one goes. Singleton can score
I don't understand either of those calls, at no point did either wrestler have control
#31 Desiante vs #6 Singleton
Desiante takedown
Prevents escape.
Desiante on top in 2nd
Escape 3-1
Takedown Singleton and review for back points
No back points
4-3 starting 3rd. Puppy crowd pointing fingers and screaming at officials
Desiante on bottom in 3rd
Escape but loses 5-4 by RT
Hokies 15-Puppies 9
Ending was brutal, 2 seconds decided the match
Yeah hard to lose that way but honestly a Decision to them was better than I expected
Need at least 1 more win
Bullock vs Cates
Scoreless after 1st.
Puppy fans cheering Wolf Pack sounds more like bull crap
Bullock on top in 2nd
Bullock rides out 2nd
Bullock escapes 1-0
RT locked.
Wins 2-0
Hokies 18- Puppies 9
18-9?
#16 Sasso vs #25 Brophy
Trails 3-1.
Takedown Sasso
Escape 4-4 after 1st
Started neutral in 2nd
I am over the sasso experiment
He looks completely gassed again
Better settle in because Sasso is going to have another three years assuming he gets a medical.
Hoping Robie can recruit over him. Our heavier weights just kill momentum. We clean house until 157 for the most part and then its a crap shoot
If Robie can recruit over any weight I'm for it. I think the collective freakout over a guy not wrestling to his potential in his first year starting is a bit overblown. Sasso has shown flashes This Year so forgive me if I'm not going to write him off as a bust. I do think the concern over development at the upper weights is fair although there's plenty of catastrophizing going around. I get that it's hard to have perspective when Tech has generational talent at 125-157 if you count Bo and Melvin.
This is year three for Sasso in the program. Went 11-8 in 2023-24. Went 10-1 in 2024-25 before injury.
Sasso is just one of four weights where there are concerns though. Does Gage get back? If not, what's the plan at 184?
Mullen drives me nuts because he seems to wrestle differently so many times out. Some nights he is Uber aggressive and blows guys out in the first. Other nights he is hesitant and super cautious almost to the point of stalling.
174 with Desiante/Burton seems to have more of a plan.
Yeah 184 is the biggest immediate question mark. I'm not sure what Robie and staff are going to do there. I know fans have their eyes on the guy from Maryland if Tech goes back to the transfer market. I'm with you on the Mullen frustration. Guy is extremely talented but some times he doesn't get after it. The Pitzer match was a prime example. That and he dives under sometimes and gets himself in trouble. He is fast enough to get better angles. I wonder if Desiante is big enough to bump up next year if Burton can go 174.
Mullen wrestles like a guy with no game plan match to match. He doesn't have any go-to offense, so he cant press any specific action or pattern. I'm reasonably sure if he had 10 seconds to score, there would be no offensive game plan in his head. It's disappointing for a guy at his level and physical abilities.
He loves going to the double under inside trip but haven't seen him try it in a while. Scouting report on that is clearly out.
Sasso gives up takedown. Escape and gives up another takedown.
Really tired of our bigs with poor performances
10-6 trails
Sasso down in 3rd.
Escape and then takedown
10-10
Hokies threw a brick. Probably back points challenge
RT at 57 seconds. Sasso will be on top after review
Sasso had both of Brophy shoulders on mat but review says no
Yah that was real frustrating.
Dual secured by Sasso win 11-10 on RT
Hokies 21 - Puppies 9
Never doubted him for a second!
Beat the Puppies FAM
On a related note: RIP Catherine O'Hara on this, the weekend of the Westminster Kennel Club dog show.
Mullen vs #2 Trumble
Scoreless after 1st
Mullen on top gives up escape Trails 1-0
Trumble takedown. 4-0
Mullen goes neutral
Another Trumble takedown 7-0
Mullen loses 7-0
Trumble is pretty impressive
Even in a "down year" NC state can't beat us😤
Seidel with the 16-0 Tech Fall
133 at the NCAA Tournament is going to be super tough. All top 10 guys could win it.
Gaj starting on top turning it into 4 backpoints
Here's a fun fact. After the National Duals back in November. Colin Gaj was 0 and 4. Ever since he stayed at 149. He has gone 17 and 3. And he has avenged two of those losses
Always good to beat NC Stall. This is the only time I am on board with kicking a puppy.
Some Wrestlestat data
The future just keeps looking brighter
2026 redshirt rankings:
DC is #1 ranked @ 133
Gorman #2 @ 141
Caleb #1 & # 4 NN @ 149
RB #1 & Weader #4 @. 165
As to AS, truly killing it so far.
Match Power
#1 Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) 5.375
#2 Josh Barr (Penn State) 5.077
#2 Aaron Seidel (Virginia Tech) 5.077
This is an elite list.
And an update on Rocha
Jonathan Rocha (Clovis North) — 215 pounds
Rocha dropped a one-point match in last year's state finals at 190. The Virginia Tech recruit is undefeated this year and posting a bonus-point rate of more than 90 percent.
Our depth is insane
Rock said after the match that he thought this could be the start of a 6 to 7 year run by Tech in the rivalry. It's easy to see why he thinks that when you look at these projections.
#5 Oklahoma State trashed #3 Iowa State today 24-9. Last night they smoked #13 Northern Iowa 34-3.