Our #4 Iowa Hawkeyes officially take the mat for the 2026-27 season against Bellarmine, who is becoming a perennial opponent. This marks the third consecutive season (and third time overall) that we’ve toed the line against the Knights. So far we’re pitching a shutouts with 49-0 and 40-0 dual wins in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Unfortunately we’re down two starters in 157lb #18/#16 Jordan Williams and Lehigh transfer 133lb #5/#2 Ryan Crookham, so we won’t be seeing our team at full strength just
yet.
Quick Notes:
Williams is serving a one dual suspension for an OWI charge that happened in early September.
He also had a tumultuous ending last season that resulted in him being benched leading up to the the Big Ten tournament and coincidentally, the NCAA’s. There was rampant talk that he’d transfer out following the benching, but he double downed, put in the work, and exploded onto the freestyle scene over the summer, which makes his bone-headed mistake in September all the more glaring.
He represented Team USA at the U23 Championships and placed 3rd at the Senior U.S. Open and finished 4th at the Senior World Team Trials. The talent is clearly there and we need him to be at his absolute best as a wrestler and more importantly, as a person, for Iowa to find the team podium this coming March.
We return four All-Americans from last year: Ryder Block, Gabe Arnold, Angelo Ferrari, and Ben Kueter. Additionally Ryan Crookhamm placed 3rd and Nasir Bailey 4th in 2024 while competing for Lehigh and Little Rock.
For those that tuned in for the 25-26 season, we return 6 former starters in Bailey, Block, Williams, Arnold, Ferrari, and Kueter. We picked up Carter Schubert from Oklahoma to replace 2x finalist, Mikey Caliendo at 165 and Crookham to take over for departing 3x AA Drake Ayala at 133.
Likewise, 125lb Leo Deluca, who was the 2024 #9 pound-for-pound recruit will finally make his hawkeye debut as the full time starter. Leo looks to continue our lightweight success following Spencer Lee, Ayala and last year’s Dean Peterson.
OPPORTUNITIES:
Throughout the early going I’ll closely been eyeing Angelo Ferrari and his attack rate. He had a 21% bonus rate last year, which isn’t where he or we need him to be. He has a highend motor and arguably the best defense in the entire field, but he needs to find a way to open up that offense if he’s going to be wrestling Saturday Night in March. Because the top four at 184 is loaded…
Offense is also the key for Ben Kueter, who is now fully healthy and 100% all in on wrestling (supposedly leaving football in the rearview mirror). Thankfully, the field has cleared out over the past two seasons with the likes of Gable Steveson, Wyatt Hendrickson, Greg Kerkvliet, Isaac Trumble, Aj Ferrari, and Yonger Bastida all departing. If he’s going to make the most of an opportunity, this is it.
Gabe Arnold was the heart and soul of the team last year, despite wrestling up two weight classes he heroically fought his way onto the podium and a 7th place finish at 197lb. Now, he’s back at his natural weight at 174lb, which should provide a spark to his offensive abilities. 174 fields several finalist contenders, but unfortunately for this class, PSU’s 2x champ, Mitchell Mesenbrink, has bumped up from 165lb. It’ll be tough sledding for everyone, but Arnold is very much in the mix with guys ranked #2 – #8.
Lastly, Bailey has stumbled the past two season since he landed 4th place as a freshman. Like Williams (both transfered from Little Rock) the talent is there, it’s just a matter of putting it all together and wrestling a full 7 minutes. When Nasir is hunting for his shots he’s at his best.
Tom and Terry Brands are entering their 21st season leading this team – and it’ll be one of the most challenging. Penn State is Penn State and far and away the front-runners. Oklahoma State has come on fast and strong since David Taylor took over and within two years they’re already 2nd best in the country. IMO – they’re not quite ready to compete with a full strength PSU, but life happens and the Cowboys are right there nipping at their heels.
Unfortunately, that leaves us likely battling for 3rd with Nebraska, Virginia Tech, Ohio St., and potential Stanford. We’re a team with a lot of questions and uncertainty, but also a lot of upside. Brands preaches offense, now it’s time to turn those words into something tangible.
Here’s my bold take: if we can fire on all cylinders, punch two guys into the finals (Ferrari and Kueter) and climb our way to a top 3 finish as a team – there will be a lot of optimism moving foward. However, if we stumble again this year there’s going to be some serious questions from some serious people in the off-season. We’re quickly approaching make-or-break time for TNT…
On a personal note, it’s been a few years since I’ve been here, but I’m excited to be back writing for our awesome BHGP community! Let’s have some fun this season!!!
PROBABLE LINEUP vs Bellarmine
125 – #18/ #51 Leo DeLuca vs #NR/#57Joe Calvin // Damion Ryan
133 – #NR/#68 Joey Cruz vs #NR/#127 Shay Korhorn // Travis Long
141 – #7/ #7 Nasir Bailey vs #NR/#58 Trayce Eckman
149 – #6/ #11 Ryder Block vs AJ Rallo
157 – #NR/#51 Kael Voinovich vs #33 Jeb Prechtel // Isaac Johns
165 – #8/#13 Carter Schubert vs Noah Hall
174 – #5/#14 Gabe Arnold vs Grant O’Dell // Jack Ring
184 – #3/#4 Angelo Ferrari vs Gavin Ricketts
197 – #29/#24 Harvey Ludington vs Andrew Liber
285 – #2/#2 Ben Kueter vs Evan Grazzini // Justin Hoffer
***Rankings: Intermat/Wrestlestat***
Here’s the Official Hawkeye Preview if anyone is interested in some additional reading material.
Broadcast Info
Opponent: Bellarmine
Dual time: 7:00 PM GT (Central) // Friday, Nov. 13, 2026
Location: Carver-Hawkeye Arena // Iowa City, IA
TV/ Online: BTN+
Radio: iHeartRadio (AM800 KXIC)
