*Classes representative of upcoming 2020-21 season

Who’s Leaving?

No graduations.

Who’s Coming Back?

* Redshirt sophomore Alex Thomsen (2019-20 starter)

* Redshirt freshman Johnathon Ortegon

New Arrivals?

*Recruiting rankings from InterMat

* Freshman Jeremiah Reno (Ranked No. 4 in the country at 120 pounds)

Analysis

The 125-pound weight class was the weakest link for the Huskers all year. Nebraska was strong throughout its lineup but saw just glimpses out of redshirt freshman Alex Thomsen, who took his lumps but also came on as the year progressed.

Thomsen finished the year with a 13-15 record while navigating a nightmarish road through the conference season and the Big Ten Tournament, where he went 3-3 and finished in 6th place as the 10-seed.

Thomsen had some weight-cut issues early on in the year, so it’s entirely possible he moves up to 133 pounds next season or at some point in his career (side note, I actually think there will be a lot of movement in Nebraska’s lineup for next year as far as moving up weight classes goes). But let’s not just give up on the young man after a tough year getting acclimated to Big Ten competition. Thomsen was a highly-touted recruit out of Iowa who won four state titles with a 190-1 career record in high school. He was ranked No. 6 by InterMat at 126 pounds. If Thomsen decides to stay at 125, it’s his spot to lose.

Ortegon, a former three-time state champion out of Texas, went 6-11 during his redshirt year and doesn’t look to be a serious contender for a starting spot any time soon.

Incoming freshman Jeremiah Reno, however, does look like he could be the Huskers’ future at 125 pounds. Reno went undefeated with a 179-0 career record at Liberty High School in Kansas City, Mo. with four state titles of his own. Reno is ranked No. 4 at 120 pounds by InterMat. With a Fargo Junior Freestyle National Championship and a Cadet national title to his name, Reno has proven himself at the national level as well. He’ll be hard to keep out of the lineup.

Prediction

This is an extremely thin and young weight class for the Huskers, making the addition of Reno one of the most important recruiting additions of this class.

I see one of two things happening... Alex Thomsen moves up to 133 pounds to compete for that spot, giving the reins to Reno at 125 pounds for the next four years, or Thomsen stays put at 125 pounds and battles Reno for the starting spot. It could go either way, but if Thomsen stays where he’s at, I would expect him to fend off the upstart youngster for at least a season. If so, Reno will likely redshirt while sitting behind Thomsen with Ortegon playing a reserve role in case Thomsen can’t wrestle, thus not having to burn Reno’s redshirt.

Projected Depth Chart

1. Alex Thomsen (R-Soph)
2. Johnathon Ortegon (R-Fr)
3. Jeremian Reno (Fr) (redshirting)