June 8, 2026
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College Wrestling
The transfer portal has once again reshuffled the college wrestling landscape, with NCAA champions, All-Americans and national qualifiers finding new homes ahead of the 2026-27 season. A few notable names remain available, including past NCAA champion and three-time All-American A.J. Ferrari and three-time All-American Meyer Shapiro. Three Stanford wrestlers who entered the portal -- Nico Provo, Tyler Knox and Hunter Garvin -- ultimately chose to remain with the Cardinal. Here is a look at the 10 biggest transfer portal additions of the offseason.
Robinson is the crown jewel of this transfer cycle. A Chicago native, Robinson won the 2025 NCAA title at 125 pounds -- becoming the first NC State freshman to win a national title since 1980 and the first freshman to win the 125-pound title since Spencer Lee of Iowa in 2018. He followed that up with a fourth-place finish in 2026, going 21-6 on the season. Robinson compiled a 45-9 record over two seasons with the Wolfpack and gives Nebraska an immediate national title contender at 125 pounds. His addition gives the Huskers six multi-time All-Americans in their lineup for 2026-27.
Nebraska wasn't finished after landing Robinson. The Huskers also secured Echemendia, a two-time All-American who placed fifth at the 2024 NCAAs and sixth in 2026, both at 141 pounds. Echemendia started his collegiate career at Ohio State before transferring to Iowa State, where he won the Big 12 title in 2024 and reached the conference finals in 2026. Known for his dynamic offense, Echemendia posted a major decision in the Cyclones' historic win over rival Iowa this past season before claiming the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational title. He may move up to 149 pounds in 2026-27, as 141 has been a difficult cut. Together, Robinson and Echemendia represent one of the most impactful portal hauls in the country.
When healthy, Crookham has proven he can compete with anyone in the nation. The 2024 NCAA third-place finisher at 133 pounds brings All-American credentials and championship upside to Iowa City, where he is expected to fill the void left by the graduation of Drake Ayala. With the Hawkeyes already projected to field one of the nation's strongest lineups, a healthy Crookham could be one of the most impactful additions of the entire offseason.
Berge becomes the Cowboys' first transfer portal addition of the offseason and brings a 75-26 career record to Stillwater. The four-year Jackrabbit qualified for the past three NCAA Championships and earned All-American honors at 184 pounds in 2024. He bumped up to 197 pounds in 2025-26, going 17-7 on the season. With Oklahoma State's Cody Merrill emerging as a national runner-up at 197 pounds as a freshman, Berge is expected to move back down to 184 pounds for his final season. His experience and consistency make him an ideal fit for a program looking to remain in the national title conversation.
Fugitt returns home to Missouri after three seasons at Wisconsin. The Nixa, Mo., native is a two-time NCAA qualifier and 2025 All-American, placing fourth at 133 pounds in Philadelphia. He holds a 52-22 overall record in his collegiate career and is a two-time NWCA Scholar All-American. Fugitt also won the 2025 U23 Pan-American Championships at 61 kg. A three-time Missouri state champion who went 50-1 his senior season of high school, Fugitt brings veteran leadership, postseason experience and a homecoming narrative to Columbia. He will wrestle with two years of eligibility remaining.
Smith qualified for the NCAA Championships three times at Maryland and broke through in 2025 with a sixth-place finish at 184 pounds, earning All-American honors. He opened the 2025-26 season with a strong performance before suffering an injury that cost him the year. Smith is expected to move down to 174 pounds for 2026-27, a perfect fit for Ohio State, which did not have a clear successor to Carson Kharchla in the pipeline. His arrival gives the Buckeyes four returning All-Americans in the lineup, along with additional podium threats.
Few transfers in this cycle bring a more unique résumé than Endene. A three-time NCAA Division III national champion at Wartburg, he transferred to Iowa in 2025 and quickly established himself as a high All-American candidate at the Division I level. He went undefeated at the National Duals Invitational, defeating eventual national runner-up Cody Merrill to help clinch Iowa's win over Oklahoma State, then knocked off returning All-American Mac Stout of Pittsburgh. An injury cut his season short, and he finished 6-1 before ultimately landing at Little Rock. He and three-time All-American Stephen Little will form an imposing 1-2 punch at heavyweight for the Trojans. Endene is one of the most accomplished wrestlers ever to join the Little Rock program.
Schubert has yet to reach the NCAA podium, but his upside is undeniable. The Marion, N.Y., native began his career at California Baptist before transferring to Oklahoma, where he broke out in 2025-26 with a 21-8 record at 174 pounds. He won the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, placed fourth at the Big 12 Championships and reached the round of 12 at the 2026 NCAAs -- one win shy of All-America honors. He posted an 11-8 record against ranked opponents, with wins over All-Americans including Missouri's Cam Steed and Navy's Danny Wask. Schubert is expected to drop down to 165 pounds at Iowa, filling the void left by the graduation of Michael Caliendo. With two years of eligibility remaining, a breakout season in Iowa City appears well within reach.
Miller qualified for the NCAA Championships three times during his career at Maryland and brings valuable experience and veteran leadership to Pittsburgh. His proven ability to compete on the national stage should provide immediate stability and depth for the Panthers.
Maryland offset some portal losses by landing Rivera, a two-time NCAA qualifier who reached the round of 12 at the 2025 NCAAs. With proven postseason credentials and continued upside, Rivera gives the Terrapins a wrestler capable of pushing for All-America honors in 2027.
No program benefited more from the transfer portal this offseason than Nebraska. By landing both Robinson and Echemendia, the Huskers added two proven All-Americans capable of scoring significant team points at the NCAAs, giving Mark Manning's squad six multi-time All-Americans in the lineup. Iowa also had a strong portal cycle, adding Crookham and Schubert to fill two of the program's most pressing needs. As the 2026-27 season approaches, these transfers will play a major role in shaping conference races and the team standings at the NCAAs in March.
