Skinny kid, but an obviously amazing wrestler. Do Cael and company beef him up to a solid 141 lber. during his redshirt year or do they leave him as a skinny guy and let him take his chances at 125/133 come the '09-'10 season? Would his lack of size/strength play a against him once he begins competing?

They have to see how he begins to grow first.

Originally Posted by ISU2008

As far as his size or strength, he will be just fine. He doesn't win matches using his strength so that's not going to be a problem.

True, however, he is wrestling kids ages 14 to 18. Obviously there is a big difference from that to a 21 or 22 year old man who has nearly equal technique and knows how to use sieze, strength and technique all together.

Originally Posted by Tofurky

True, however, he is wrestling kids ages 14 to 18. Obviously there is a big difference from that to a 21 or 22 year old man who has nearly equal technique and knows how to use sieze, strength and technique all together.

Best example I can think of was when Jason Welch (senior in HS) wrestled Mike Poeta at the Midlands. The difference in physical maturity was very evident.

Originally Posted by ISU2008

True, but Taylor won't be wrestling varsity in college for over two years, and he won't be at 157 either.

Why wouldn't he wrestle as a freshman?

Because Cael is bringing in blue chip lightweights like no one's business.

Taylor would probably be able to see success at 25 or 33 as a true freshman, but with ISU's depth no reason not to let him redshirt.

I've heard people close to Taylor predict he'll grow into at least 141 maybe larger.

Hearing those projections reminds me of Matt Kyler at Army. Many coaches thought he was too small for college. He'll be a junior at West Point this year and he's wrestling 149 by most accounts.