Wrestling: Huskers Bring in Minnesota Transfer

The Huskers secured a fifth-year senior transfer Wednesday when Minnesota’s Boo Dryden announced he was transferring to Lincoln to be a Husker for his final year of eligibility.

The now-former Golden Gopher, Dryden has been solid yet unspectacular for Minnesota at 133 pounds the past two years. After going 79-9 in two seasons at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and winning the 2019 NJCAA National Championship at 133 pounds, Dryden transferred to Minnesota.

In two years as a Gopher, Dryden went 13-14 overall with an 8th-place finish at the 2021 Big Ten Tournament before qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. Dryden went 1-2 at NCAAs and did not place.

Considering 133 pounds is the only weight class that Nebraska didn’t send a wrestler to NCAAs this past season, this could turn out to be a solid pickup for Nebraska.

As I highlighted in my 2021-22 lineup look, 133 pounds has no obvious choice as the starter but there were three real options. Dryden makes this a four-person race now.

For starters, Dryden beat Nebraska’s Alex Thomsen 9-2 to open the season, so he seems to be an upgrade for the Huskers at a weak link in their lineup. This move also almost assuredly guarantees a redshirt for freshman Dominick Serrano, unless the talented freshman can beat out Dryden, Thomsen and junior Tucker Sjomeling for the starting spot.

Also interesting about Dryden is his height for the weight class. He’s got to be 6-foot, 2-inches. His length causes a lot of problems for his opponents, as you can see in his win over Bucknell’s Darren Miller at the NCAA tournament.

I certainly don’t think Dryden is a lock to start at 133, as the Huskers have some experience and talent at the weight. But Dryden may be able to act as a bridge to the Dominick Serrano era, allowing the youngster to redshirt.