Pedigree can only take a program so far in college sports, and Tiger Style is facing one of its most challenging stretches under head coach Brian Smith. Dating back to the 2024-25 regular season, where
Mizzou finished 5-10, Smith has faced a more treacherous path than ever since taking charge of the program in 1998.
Now, in this current campaign, the Tigers have gone 6-6 through the 2025 schedule and currently rank No. 17 in the nation. There has been an inability to compete against top teams, but there is time to make a season turnaround in 2026.
All rankings are according to InterMat.
Getting Past the Injury Bug
The main reason for a poor record last season was due to numerous injuries to key players, including Keegan O’Toole and Colton Hawks. While there haven’t been any season-ending injuries to the current roster, there have still been lingering injuries that have kept starters Cam Steed (174lbs) and J Conway (157lbs) out for significant stretches.
Part of the reason Smith is bringing in two-time national qualifier Teague Travis for the second semester is likely due to lingering injury concerns.
We saw the program finally get healthy in the 2025 postseason, which helped them claim 14th at Nationals, and a similar stroke of luck is going to be needed to equate or surpass that finish in this coming postseason. Getting Steed healthy should especially be a needle mover.
Teague Travis Contributing
Speaking of Travis coming to join Mizzou’s ranks, this is a move that could be a genuine needle mover to make the roster more balanced. This is the redshirt senior’s last season of eligibility and a homecoming for him as a Columbia native, making this an opportunity to close out a successful career with even more meaning.
Travis spent all of his previous college experience with Oklahoma State, wrestling at 157 and 149lbs. He is likely to compete with Conway as the starter at 157lbs, given No. 15 Joshua Edmond’s pedigree at 149lbs, unless an unexpected switch to a different weight class is to come.
One of the main issues with this roster is the lack of upset talent outside of No. 2 Aeoden Sinclair (184lbs). Sinclair is the Tigers’ only wrestler who has consistently taken down top-ranked opponents. Travis brings experience and an established presence that could give Mizzou another true contender in the postseason.
More Takedown Power
Another category that the roster is severely lacking in is takedowns, causing many ranked bouts to be decided in close decisions. No Tiger has taken a victory by fall in the past three duals, not including Long Island. The only tech fall victory was courtesy of Sinclair against Northern Iowa.
In that same dual against the Panthers, the only other wrestler to surpass 10 points for Mizzou was Edmond in a 10-4 decision win. The top-end talent is there, but the depth has yet to show they can shut down lesser opponents and compete with ranked foes.
Most of the teams Mizzou will see in conference play are going to be around its level, which should give the rough edges of Smith’s team chances to adapt.
Wrestler Spotlight: Max Mayfield
Mayfield came to Tiger Style in the offseason after spending five seasons with Northwestern to wrestle at 165lbs. He started the season ranked No. 13 at the weight and has since dropped to No. 15. If there’s a wrestler on the roster who has the best shot at outperforming their current level of play, Mayfield’s a likely candidate.
The graduate transfer went toe-to-toe with No. 8 Ryder Downey (UNI) in Mizzou’s most recent competition, losing by a 1-0 decision. Mayfield has suffered some injuries this season that have held him back, but he can come on strong during Big 12 play and make noise at Nationals.
Tiger Style begins the new year in Iowa City, Iowa, for the Soldier Salute tournament. 13 teams will be represented, nine of which are currently ranked, presenting a good opportunity for Mizzou to show out after the 3-week break.
