By Rob Sherrill, W.I.N. High School Columnist

How important is the November early-signing period these days?

            Minnesota cleaned house before the season began, with six of the nation’s elite senior prospects signing national letters of intent before wrestlers hit the mats for the 2007-08 season. More than 200 top seniors followed suit, casting the die for this season’s recruiting landscape.

            Though relatively few seniors added their names to the list in the spring signing period, which began last month, that doesn’t mean there wasn’t some movement in our pre-season November recruiting rankings. There was plenty of it, with some taking place near the top.

            After all, even seniors develop and otherwise show improvement. That’s what college coaches are counting on. A few early signees look at their senior years as an opportunity to take it easy, since the pressure of earning a college scholarship already has passed.                                   

Judging from the movement in these recruiting classes, however, the vast majority of these young men still are moving upward on the learning — and achievement — curve. And that’s a credit not only to them, but to their college coaches for doing their homework.

            If you’re looking for two schools whose classes shot way up this season, look no further than Central Michigan and Rutgers.

            Chippewa coach Tom Borrelli saw his blockbuster recruiting class soar with outstanding performances at the recent NHSCA National High School Seniors National Championships in Virginia Beach, Va. If future NCAA Championships mirror the High School Nationals as much as recent national tournaments have — and that’s likely — Borrelli, already known for getting more out of his recruits than most coaches, will see his teams continue to be in the running for national honors.

            Ditto for Rutgers coach Scott Goodale, who is turning the New Brunswick, N.J., campus into a can’t-miss location for the state’s top prep wrestlers. His class also lit up the national stage after the season concluded.

            So with that and many other considerations in mind, we’ve compiled the top 25 Division 1 recruiting classes as of the beginning of this month, along with the number of spots they’ve moved up or down since our early signing period rankings in November. We narrowed this list down from a large group of classes and it was very difficult.

            Many schools not on this list signed solid classes that will provide the foundation for winning seasons. Also, most of these classes somehow combine quality with quantity. For instance, North Carolina State coach Carter Jordan has signed just two recruits…but it would be difficult to argue that the additions of Tico Baez (141) of Homestead (Fla.) South Dade High and Jacob Burge (174) of Mason (Mich.) High, both ranked in our Top 20, don’t constitute a successful class.

            So let’s look at how the recruiting rankings shake out, six months later (the number in parenthesis indicates how much the team moved up or down since the November rankings were released.)

            1. Minnesota (same): It would have taken a superhuman effort by another team to surpass coach J Robinson’s early-period haul and the Gophers’ November class stood up. Led by top-ranked Jake Deitchler (149) of nearby Anoka High and Ryland Geiger (197) of Scappoose (Ore.) High, along with second-ranked Mario Mason (149-157) of Blairstown (N.J.) Blair Academy, Minnesota boasts the only class with six wrestlers ranked in W.I.N.’s final rankings. Cody Yohn (174) of Alamosa (Colo.) High, who joins freshman brother Sonny in the Twin Cities, Atticus Disney (HWT) of Tecumseh (Kan.) Shawnee

Heights High and Matt Mincey (125-133) of Apple Valley High all comprise w

hat could be the core of future teams that contend for NCAA titles.

            2. Central Michigan (+6): Future Chippewas were in the spotlight at the High School Nationals. Ben Bennett (165-174) of Rockford

High was the meet’s Outstand-ing Wrestler and four-time Florida champion Scotti Sentes (125) of Fort Myers Riverdale High and Marcel Dubose (197) of Oak Park High, a one-time Michigan State commitment, gave Borrelli’s recruiting class three of the 14 titles, and Eric Cubberly (157) of Pemberville (Ohio) Eastwood High adding a third-place finish. Two-time Ohio champion Ben Sergent (125) of Troy Christian High gives Central five top-15 prospects.

            3. Rutgers (+7): Joey Langel (125) of Farmingdale Howell High and Jackson Memorial High standout Scott Winston (165), who became the first unbeaten wrestler in New Jersey history, won High School Nationals titles. Recruit Trevor Melde (149) of Morristown Delbarton High fell short in his bid for a third title. Oakhurst Ocean Township High’s Nick Menditto (149-157) won his second state crown and Jesse Boyden (197) of Kenilworth David Brearley High hail from New Jersey and also won state. Goodale got some spring reinforcements, too, led by All-American Matt Fusco (125) of North Arlington Queen of Peace High and Iowa Central CC standout David Greenwald (141), who also has North Jersey roots.

            4. Wisconsin (-2): Coach Barry Davis’ seven November recruits — Tom Kelliher (125) of Apple Valley; three-time Colorado champion Tyler Graff (133) of Loveland High Trey Bertram (141) of Hastings (Minn.) High; Greco-Roman standout Cole Schmitt (141-149) of Belleville/Monticello/New Glarus High; Jimmy Duffy (149) of Naperville (Ill.) Neuqua Valley High; Andrew Howe (157) of Cedar Lake (Ind.) Hanover Central High and Ben Jordan (157-165) of St. Paris (Ohio) Graham High — had solid seasons. With Graff easily winning his fourth state title, they piled up four state titles, a second and two third-place finishes.

            5. Iowa (+2): Nate Moore (125) and Grant Gambrall (174-184), the two shining stars of hometown powerhouse Iowa City West High’s program, came on first early then late. In fact, Brands barely had to go more than an hour from home, also landing Matt McDonough (125) of Marion Linn-Mar High and Mark Ballweg (133-141) of Waverly-Shell Rock High. All four had state titles this year and more.

            6. Iowa State (+4): Plenty for coach Cael Sanderson to be pleased about with heavyweight Eric Thompson from Waverly-Shell Rock High and three-time champions Andrew Long (125) of Creston High and Matt Brown (133-141) of Magna (Utah) Cyprus High all finishing strong. Chris Spangler (174) of Naperville (Ill.) North Neuqua Valley High, who made history by beating two different No. 1 wrestlers in back-to-back weeks in December, committed this spring.

            7. Oklahoma State (-1): Jordan Oliver (133) of Easton (Pa.) High and Alex Meade (165) of Camden Wyoming (Del.) Caesar Rodney High fit the mold perfectly, having finished their careers as three-time state champions with dominating seasons. Johnny Koepp (157) is the latest member of the Dallas (Texas) Bishop Lynch High pipeline to migrate north to Stillwater and Tyson Yoder (197) of Weatherford High will stay at home.

            8. Michigan (+1): Coach Joe McFarland added a quality spring recruit in three-time Utah champion Jake Salazar of Heber City (Utah) Wasatch High. Add four-time champion Mark Weber (125-133) of Goodrich High, Ohio champion Coby Boyd (149-157) of St. Paris Graham High and California champion Hunter Collins (174-184) of Gilroy High, and the Wolverines have four ranked recruits, three in the top 10.

            9. Old Dominion (+5): Coach Steve Martin’s recruits boast four Top 15 finishes, with Junior freestyle finalist Craig Wilson (141-149) of Farmington (Mo.) High and Wisconsin champion Joe Budi (184-197) of Kaukauna High bringing their combines state titles to five and placing in the High School Nationals. Doing the same was the top spring recruit, two-time Minnesota champion Jake Kahnke (197) of Prior Lake High. Locally, Jared King (157) of Chesapeake, VA Great Bridge High was a state champion as well, High School Nationals placer David Wilson of Granby High and ACC champ Eric Decker, who’s transferring from Virginia Tech, set up the Monarchs well.

            10. Illinois (-6): Coach Mark Johnson’s top-three recruits — three-time champions Conrad Polz (157-165) of Orland Park Carl Sandburg High and Jordan Blanton (174-184) of Richmond-Burton High and two-time champion B.J. Futrell (125) of Chicago Mount Carmel High — have combined for eight state titles and give the Illini three top-four recruits.

            11. Wyoming (NR): Give longtime coach Steve Suder, who recently resigned his position, some credit. He’s left his successor plenty to work with: Eric Jones (149-157) of Auburn, (Wash.) Riverside High and L.J. Helbig (184-197) of Mason (Mich.) High, along with Idaho 215-pounders Jacob Scharbrough of Weiser High and Alfonso Hernandez of Blackfoot High, who have combined for five state crowns. Add to the Cowboys four ranked recruits in four-time state champion Jared Hatley (141-149) of Torrington High and three-time state champion Kasey Garnhart (133-141) of Basin Riverside High, the top in-state recruits.

            12. Nebraska (NR): When does coach Mark Manning not strike it big on the recruiting trail? The Huskers have three ranked recruits: Jon Burns (141) of Raleigh (N.C.) Cardinal Gibbons High, Romero Cotton (184) of Hutchinson (Kan.) High and Josh Ihnen (197) of Sheldon (Iowa) High. They headline eight recruits.

            13. Kent State (-2): All of coach Jim Andrassy’s recruits had fine seasons. National High school champion Chase Skonieczny (133-141) of Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit High and Mallie Shuster (157) of Big Spring High won state titles as the Golden Flashes’ five recruits also racked up a second and two thirds en route to three top-10 individual rankings.

            14. Boise State (-1): Coach Greg Randall’s top-two recruits, National High School champion Jason Chamberlain (141-149) of Springville (Utah) High and fellow lightweight Brian Owen (125) of nearby Spokane (Wash.) University High, will keep the Broncos going forward. Randy Larson (165) of Hermiston (Ore.) High won state.

            15. Northwestern (-12): W.I.N’s Junior Dan Hodge Trophy winner and top-ranked Jason Welch (165) of Walnut Creek (Calif.) Las Lomas High  should succeed NCAA champion Jake Herbert as the Wildcats’ future bellcow. Coach Tim Cysewski’s other two recruits, Brian Roddy (174-184) of Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward High and Eric Galka (133-141) of Hobart (Ind.) High, didn’t quite achieve the hype, though Roddy repeated as state champion.

            16. Ohio State (-11): Early signees Tony Jameson (141-149) of Youngstown Austintown-Fitch High, who won his fourth state title, Cody Magrum (174-184) of Oak Harbor High, and John Hiles of St. Francis de Sales High had solid seasons, though a state title continued to elude Hiles. Keaton Thompson (133) of Vestavia Hills High won his fourth title. Coach Tom Ryan added Ohio champ Garrett Henry (125) of Solon High this spring.

            17. Virginia Tech (-2): All of coach Kevin Dresser’s early signees, Jarrod Garnett (133) of Bear (Del.) Caravel Academy, Peter Yates (141-149) of Conyers (Ga.) Salem High and Jesse Dong (149-157) of Westerville (Ohio) North High are great gets and Brock Livorio (125) of Saltsburg (Pa.) Kiski Preparatory School and Schuyler Swanton (125) of Spring Hill (Fla.) Frank Springstead High, were state champions.

            18. Missouri (-2): After emphasizing connections last fall, with Nathan McCormick (125) of Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley North High, Nick Hucke (141) of Hartland (Wis.) Arrowhead High and Brent Haynes (184-197) of powerhouse Kansas City Oak Park High all winning state crowns, coach Brian Smith beefed up this spring. Cody Farinella (133-141) of Creve Coeur Parkway North High had a fabulous senior year and North Carolina-ace Nick Gregoris (157) of Chapel Hill High was a High School Nationals place-winner.

            19. Oregon State (-2): Coach Jim Zalesky assured himself of a Top 25 spot by snapping up top-five recruit Michael Mangrum (141-149) of Auburn (Wash.) Riverside High and heavyweight Jarrett “Bubba” Owens of Tillamook High early. He added to it this spring with a pair of out-of-state aces, Caleb Vallotton (125-133) of Palo Vedro (Calif.) Foothill High and Ty Vinson (184) of Great Falls (Mont.) High.

            20. Virginia (-1): Though Joe Trause (125-133) from Oradell Bergen Catholic High didn’t win a third title in rugged New Jersey, Derek Valenti (133) of Newton Kittatinny High and Dan Clarke (149) of Ramsey Don Bosco Preparatory High give coach Steve Garland lots of Garden State talent. Ohioans Jedd Moore (157) of Marion Pleasant High and Adam Cogar (184-197) of Barberton High and Mike Salopek (197) of Irwin (Pa.) Norwin High had solid seasons.

            21. Northern Illinois (-1): Early signees Steve Zimmerman (149-157) of Chicago St. Rita High, four-time Wisconsin champion Bobby Wunnicke (125-133) of Dodgeville High and Zak Saevre (HWT) of Green Bay Ashwaubenon High all were state champions and top-20 recruits for coach Dave Grant.

            22. Tennessee-Chattanooga (-1): After winning the Walsh Ironman Invitational at 160, Josh Condon (165) of Kennesaw (Ga.) Carl Harrison High dropped to 152 to win a third state title and the National High School crown to headline coach Chris Bono’s class. Junior freestyle place-winner David Mang (133) of Cleveland Bradley Central High and Cody Sliger (HWT) of Ooltewah High won their second state titles.

            23. Ohio (NR): Coach Joel Greenlee added another solid Ohio class with Chris Kline (157-165) of Westerville North High and Dylan Wrage (197) of Waverly (Iowa) Waverly-Shell Rock High winning state titles to highlight three ranked wrestlers. Senior state runner-up Josh Speelman (141) of Mansfield Madison Comprehensive High was a key spring addition.

            24. Purdue (NR): With Matt Bryan (141-149) of Broken Arrow (Okla.) high and Ryan Gambill (157) of Casstown Miami East High, the Division 3 Outstanding Wrestler, having combined for five state titles, coach Scott Hinkel got two good early signees in his first recruiting class as head coach. State champion Brennan Cosgrove (149) of Hobart High was as good a wrestler as there was in Indiana this year.

            25 (tie). Indiana (-2): Cooper Samuels (174) of Floyds Knobs Floyd Central High won his second state title and four-time state place-winner Vince Ramos (149-157) of Carol Stream (Ill). Glenbard North High finally took his first state title. This spring, coach Duane Goldman got good value in heavyweight Nick Cook of Warrenon (Va.) Fauquier High.

            25. (tie) Lehigh (-2): Former coach Greg Strobel gave new coach Pat Santoro a good class with several wrestlers that aren’t big names, headed by four-time Vermont champion Robert Hamlin (165) of Jericho Mount Mansfield High, Pennsylvania standout Shane Welsh (141) of Lower Burrell Burrell High and two-time champ Justion Koren (149) of Cary High.

            (Rob Sherrill is one of the top high school wrestling analysts in the country and a long-time columnist of W.I.N. He also publishes the “American High School Wrestling Yearbook”. To order a copy, e-mail him at centermatpress@hotmail.com.)