Recruiting rankings list the top prospects of the class and predicts who are the most likely to find success at the collegiate level. However, we decided to take a look at the aftermath- who really were the top prospects in the Class of 2009 based on their college careers. Check out the Top 10 below.
1. Michael McClure- Michigan State
College Results: X-X-Q-5 (104-31)
High School Results: X-Q-3-1
2009 Ranking: 3
The only NCAA All-American in the class of 2009, McClure gets the top spot. After splitting time with two other quality heavyweights, Stephen Andrus and Joe Rizqallah, he only entered the B1G Tourney twice. He made the most of those chances however, as he qualified for the NCAA’s on both occasions, earned a seed both times, and landed a 5th place finish this past season, giving the Spartans an All-American for the first time in four years.
2. Dan Yates- Michigan
College Results: Q-Q-Q-Q (112-46)
High School Results: 7-1-1-1
2009 Ranking: 1
Yates was perhaps the most consistent performer in the class of ’09, as he was the only one to make the NCAA’s in all four seasons. Starting at 165, moving up to 174 last year, and back down to 165 this year proved to be a difficult transition for Yates, as the season never ended the way he wanted. You could make a strong case for #1 based on his consistency, but he’ll have to settle for moving down one spot from the original rankings. 112 wins for UofM though, not too shabby.
3. Dan Osterman- Michigan State
College Results: X-Q-Q-Q (92-56)
High School Results: 1-2-1-1
2009 Ranking: 8
Only one wrestler on this list wrestled four straight seasons without a redshirt- Osterman. Dan got thrown right into the mix as a true freshman and really got off to a great start. He ended up making the NCAA Tournament the following three seasons, with a barrage of quality wins along the way. With his impressive body of work, Osterman moves up five slots from 2009.
4. Phillip Joseph- Eastern Michigan
College Results: X-Q-Q-Q (85-51)
High School Results: Q-X-3-1
2009 Ranking: 18
Phil Joseph only one state title for Lapeer East and was not heavily recruited when he landed at EMU. By the end of this career, he qualified three times for the NCAA’s. Even though he flew under the radar a bit, he finished with the sixth most wins in EMU history. Along with Paul Hancock, he is the biggest mover on the list, jumping 14 slots.
5. Jared Germaine- Eastern Michigan
College Results: X-Q-X-Q (76-36)
High School Results: 2-4-3-2
2009 Ranking: 10
Five-year 125 pounders are hard to find- especially quality ones. Germaine was able to maintain the weight and continued to find success in each of his seasons. While he was hampered by injuries his junior year, he still managed to become a 2x NCAA Qualifier for the Eagles. Not bad for a guy who never won a state title in high school.
6. Paul Hancock- Army
College Results: X-X-Q-Q (75-32)
High School Results: Q-4-2-1
2009 Ranking: 20
Like he did in high school, Hancock improved every season for the Black Knights. He only saw limited time in his first two seasons, but once his number was called, he responded. The Fordson grad stormed to the National Tournament twice, including a run to the Round of 16 this past year. As previously stated, he and Joseph proved to be the hidden gems of the class.
7. Brandon Zeerip- Eastern Michigan/Michigan
College Results: X-X-Q-? (58-40+1yr)
High School Results: 2-5-1-1
2009 Ranking: 6
I might have to go back and edit these rankings after next season, as Zeerip was granted a hardship waiver, which means he will have a sixth year of eligibility. After a four year career at Michigan, two of which he missed due to injury, Zeerip finally punched his ticket to the NCAA’s in his first year with the Eagles. His two losses there both came to All-Americans, so hopefully he will be able to build on that and come back strong next season.
8. Andrew Schutt- Buffalo
College Results: X-Q-X-X (48-44)
High School Results: 3-3-1-3
2009 Ranking: 13
While his final two seasons were cut short due to injury, Schutt had a breakout season in 2011, winning the MAC Tournament at 141 and earning an automatic bid to nationals. Interestingly, he is the only wrestler in the class to have won a Conference Championship. While his body of work was limited, that in itself was enough to land him in the 8 spot, up five from high school.
9. Nick Whitenburg- Eastern Michigan
College Results: X-X-Q-X (63-40)
High School Results: 6-5-7-2
2009 Ranking: 15
The second wrestler on the list who qualified for NCAA’s after not winning a title in high school (both from EMU), Whitenburg enjoyed a nice career for Eastern Michigan. While he had quality wins littered throughout his first two seasons, he really broke out in his junior year when he went 1-2 at nationals. Although he spent some time in the Top-20 his senior season, he was unable to qualify again.
10. Craig Eifert- Cornell
College Results: X-X-X-X (46-22)
High School Results: 1-5-1-1
2009 Ranking: 5
Since there were nine NCAA qualifiers in the class of 2009, I needed to fill the tenth spot. Several guys were considered, but Eifert really stands out as #10 to me. He spent each season for the Big Red behind an All-American or National Champ. That being said, he still managed to place at the Southern Scuffle, and had wins over other AAs, including 2x NCAA Runner-Up Dylan Ness. He also won Cornell’s Eleventh Man Award twice, proving his value and versatility to the national powerhouse.
Grappler’s Original Top 20
1. Dan Yates- Hesperia
2. Kyle Waldo- Rockford
3. Michael McClure- West Ottawa
4. Kyler Elsworth- Goodrich
5. Craig Eifert- Cornell
6. Brandon Zeerip- Hesperia
7. Adam Miller- Sparta
8. Dan Osterman- St. Johns
9. Jacob Walters- St. Johns
10. Jared Germaine- Swan Valley
11. Robert Nash- Roseville
12. Pete Rendina- Dundee
13. Andrew Schutt- Yale
14. Evan Gros- Lake Orion
15. Nick Whitenburg- Bedford
16. Seth Schaner- Big Rapids
17. Calib Rought- Shelby
18. Phillip Joseph- Lapeer East
19. Cameron Amateis- L’Anse Creuse
20. Paul Hancock- Fordson
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Did you know that Adam Miller (Sparta) #7 on this list in 2009, now is on TV on NBC show Crisis. He plays the character Kyle Deverore on this show.
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