Gridiron Studs in the State Wrestling Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>*Use code Johnson30 for 30% off an annual Prep Redzone subscription*</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is preached all the time. Coaches love versatility. They love it on the field and they love it in the offseason. Multi-sport athletes are usually some of the best that every state has to offer. We have covered the athletes who were able to make big impact on the basketball court and football field in a short series. Now we turn to another winter sport. Wrestling. The State Finals were this past weekend and many involved in the Championship matches were also standout football players. So let's talk about all 10 of those athletes, what they have to offer with their skills, what they produced in 2025, and how their wrestling season finished. Dive in!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1635414"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a62cd4c674e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Toay has been a key piece for Lancaster since he was a freshman. The sophomore made a big leap in his two way impact in 2025. The '28 QB/LB finished by going for 95/155, 1,568 Yards, 10 TDs, 166 Carries, 878 Yards, 17 TDs, 75 Tackles, and 9 TFLs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On the wrestling mat Toay battled in the 215 lbs weight class where he was able to finished with a 41-5 record overall. The final win coming in the Division 3 State Championship match. Big things are sure to be ahead for the standout sophomore wrestler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is so easy to see the traits carrying over to the field from the mat when you watch Ragatz's highlights. He has such a strong frame supported by excellent body control and use of leverage while tackling or carrying the football. The '28 isn't afraid to do the tough, gritty work and has the instincts and speed to get all over the field in time to make plays on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1841584"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a62cd4c67ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The UW- La Crosse commit finished his senior season with a supremely impressive stat line. On defense the athlete went for 84 Tackles, 21 TFLs, 2.5 Sacks, 1 FF, and 1 FR. Plus he was also one of the starting OL for the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On the mat Jack put together a strong record on his run to the D3 State Championship 215 lbs match. He finished at 51-9 and ended as the state runner- up for his weight class and division. It is very impressive to see that he wrestled at 215 when he played at roughy 260 during the football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the field La Crosse is getting a kid that can play on either side of the trenches. He brings explosive violence that highlights his knowledge of leverage, hand use, and body positioning that you learn while becoming an elite wrestler. The powerful lineman is sure to make an impact for the Eagles over the next four years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2103602"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a62cd4c67f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior signal caller out of small school Iowa- Grant put up a strong stat line as a junior. He went for 143-231, 2,129 Yards, 26 Passing TDs, and 3 Rushing TDs. Brock returns his go to target so expect a big senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Iowa-Grant signal caller is one of a few QBs throughout recent years who have found success on the wrestling mat. He competed in the 175 lbs weight class where he went 47-4 overall. The final win coming in the State Finals where he was able to bring home the crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the field Brock gives Iowa- Grant a QB who can attack the entire field with accuracy. He has the arm to drive the football on deep passes and out routes across the field. Brock also flashed really good touch when needed too. Brock could really make some noise his summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1538589"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a62cd4c6836"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gatlin has been a consistent force for Stoughton the past few seasons. He wrapped up his high school career by going for 90 Carries, 517 Yards, 7 TDs, 13 Receptions, 217 Yards, 2 TDs, 93 Tackles, 7 TFLs, and 1 Sack as a two way impact player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">That dominance rolled over to the wrestling season. Gatlin would wrestle at the 285 lbs, heavyweight Class. Over the season he piled up a 48-2 record while making a run to a State Championship Runner- Up finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NDSU commit has the size, strength, and physical mentality to develop into a contributor at the next level. He won't shy away from contact and the thing about wrestlers is they usually have a great sense of how to use positioning, leverage, and strong hands to give themselves the advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["700212"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a62cd4c6876"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Max was a four year varsity athlete, ending his career with a solid stat line on offense and a very productive year on defense. In total Max went for 118 Carries, 597 Yards, 9 TDs, 24 Receptions, 310 Yards, 1 TD, 83 Tackles, 16 TFLs, 2 Sacks, and 2 FFs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Max had an even better year on the wrestling mat. The senior would compete in the 215 lbs Class at the D2 level and finish 31-1. His senior season would end in the State Finals where he finished as the Runner- Up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unfortunately, we don't have tape to go off of for Max, but the senior was a consistent name for Two Rivers over the past four years. Despite being undersized for the position we would see him be a mismatch on the DL and create things out of nothing at RB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1620331"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a62cd4c68b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It has been fun watching Eli establish himself on the Mount Horeb varsity these past two seasons. Eli's junior season has been his best so far, making plays at RB and LB. In total we saw him compile 95 Carries, 658 Yards, 11 TDs, 3 Receptions, 45 Yards, 103 Tackles, 16 TFLs, and 4.5 Sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eli would wrestle at 175 lbs this year and pile up a very impressive 53-5 overall record. His season would conclude in the State Finals where he would go home as the State Runner up at the D2 level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watching him play you see the physicality, the leverage, the power he can create with that leverage and ability to play fast with a low pad level. It has made him a tone setting athlete on both sides of the ball and a kid to watch over this next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1258490"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a62cd4c68f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hartford senior DL concluded his senior season with a solid stat line. Especially while battling in the trenches. He would finish with 69 Tackles, 10 TFLs, 1 FF, and 1 FR overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">That was nothing compared to how much he dominated the heavyweight, D1 bracket in wrestling. He would finish his year with an outstanding 53-2 overall record. He capped it all off with a D1 State Championship crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big man was able to hold his own on the interior of the DL, slipping through gaps and shrugging off OL arms. The big man also took some reps in the backfield and was able to power to some tough short yardage conversions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1620332"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a62cd4c692d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deangelo has put together two of the most disruptive seasons on the DL that we have seen in recent history. HIs junior season was unreal, finishing with a massive two way impact. That includes 18 Carries, 86 Yards, 2 TDs, 2 Receptions, 21 Yards, 80 Tackles, 25 TFLs, 9 Sacks, 2 FRs, and 1 FF.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The dominance didn't take an offseason either. Deangelo would end up going 47-7 while battling in the heavyweight weight Class at the D1 level. His season would culminate in the State Finals where he left as the Runner Up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deangelo is so disruptive. He is quick, violent, able to bend and change pad level. The hands are strong, and his lower body can create a bull rush that will put OTs into the lap of the QB. It is no surprise that the '27 is also a dominant wrestler. This is one of the top DL to know among the Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1220749"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a62cd4c6969"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Badger commit was one of the most powerful forces in any of the trenches across WI. He would also contribute on the ground, giving us a taste of his future FB position with the Badgers. The senior would finish 2025 with 27 Carries, 186 Yards, 9 TDs, 1 Reception, 43 Yards, 1 TD, 110 Tackles, 44 TFLs, 11.5 Sacks, 1 FF, and 1 FR.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As if a run to Level 4 in the football playoffs wasn't enough, McCoy would make a run all the way to a D1 State Championship on the mat. That concluded his 50-2 season and dominant wrestling career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Badgers are getting a monster in the backfield. McCoy will be transitioning to full time FB in Madison. That should fit his strengths like a glove. He will be able to use his explosive athleticism, strength, leverage, and heavy hands to open up holes for the Badgers RBs and his background on defense could make him an early contributor on special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1364064"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a62cd4c69a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reed was able to made a strong defensive impact for Middleton in 2025 while also providing a spark in the offensive backfield. The junior would finish with a total stat line of 30 Carries, 179 Yards, 4 TDs, 3 Receptions, 31 Yards, 1 TD, 63 Tackles, 11 TFLs, 8.5 Sacks, 4 FFs, and 1 FR.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The junior would be even more of a dominant force on the mat this winter. He finished his junior season with a perfect 51-0 record and a D1, 190 lbs State Championship title. The perfect finish to a dominant season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior edge led his conference in sacks as a junior. While he is an undersized edge, Reed is able to make an impact with his speed around the edge. He can start from a wide alignment and beat OTs to the edge with that speed and chase down plays from behind. The junior wasn't afraid to get physical with TEs, OL, or RBs on his way into the backfield either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->