@PackWrestle Signs Star-Studded 11-Member Class

Raleigh, N.C. – NC State head coach Pat Popolizio has announced 11 student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent during the fall signing period.

"I'm very proud to announce our 2018 recruiting class. It fills every single one of our needs, and provides much needed depth in certain areas," said head coach Pat Popolizio. "More importantly, each one of these young men know and respect our team culture and mentality. Our staff has been working around the clock and has done an outstanding job in finding athletes with great character and drive to succeed.

"This class is filled with talent, represented by six top-100 recruits. We were also able to find several gems that were under the radar. I am very excited for the Wolfpack's future."

• Jakob Camacho (125/133)

3x Connecticut State Open Champion
2017 Super 32 National Champion
2017 FloNationals All-American
2017 Junior National Freestyle All-American
2016 NHSCA National All-American
Currently ranked #4 at 126 and #53 in the 100 by FloWrestling
Also ranked #2 at 126 and #60 in the 100 by InterMat

Popolizio on Camcaho: "Jakob is an elite-level talent who has proven he will make an immediate impact at the next level. He is a national champion wrestler who has a strong academic profile as well. We've had previous success with recruits from both the Iowa Style Wrestling Club and Danbury High School. Jakob will transition seamlessly with several of his former club members already here."

Welcome to @PackWrestle Jakob Camacho

#4 at 126 and #53 nationally by @FloWrestling #PackMentality #Classof2022 pic.twitter.com/4VlLZBX2oi
— NC State Wrestling (@PackWrestle) November 8, 2017

• Matt Fields (133/141)

2017 Ohio State Champion
2016 Ohio State Finalist
2x Top Gun Placer

Popolizio on Fields: "Matt brings a strong academic and athletic profile to Raleigh. As one of the top senior student-athletes in Ohio, he has proven himself as a state champion wrestler and honor roll student. I knew after Matt visited campus he was the right fit for the program. We were very blessed with the recruiting situation that occurred, allowing us to ultimately sign such a quality young man."

Welcome to @PackWrestle Matt Fields (133/141)

2017 Ohio State Champion#PackMentality #Classof2022 pic.twitter.com/kWPmHmSJPf
— NC State Wrestling (@PackWrestle) November 8, 2017

• Jarrett Trombley (141/149)

3x Michigan State Champion
2015 Grappler Fall Classic Champion
Career Record of 137-1
Currently #80 in 2018 Top 100 by FloWrestling
Also ranked #13 at 132 and #54 in the Top 100 by InterMat

Poplizio on Trombley: "Jarrett is one of the best senior student-athletes in the state of Michigan. He has proven himself academically with a 4.0 GPA and athletically with his state championships and national rankings. His mentality fits our culture and mold. We are very excited for him to be a part of a top recruiting class in the country."

Welcome to @PackWrestle Jarrett Trombley

#80 nationally and #11 at 126 by @FloWrestling #PackMentality #Classof2022 pic.twitter.com/MjLOWML4Bl
— NC State Wrestling (@PackWrestle) November 8, 2017

• Josiah Rider (149)

2x Colorado State Champion
2016 Super 32 Runner-Up
2016 Ironman Runner-Up
NHSCA Freshman National Champion
Cadet National All-American
Currently ranked #7 at 152 and #38 in the Top 100 by FloWrestling
Also ranked #9 at 152 and #15 in the Top 100 by InterMat

Popolizio on Rider: "Josiah is another future Wolfpack member who showcases a high-level of both a wrestling and academic pedigree. Hailing from Colorado, he comes to Raleigh as a national champion wrestler and with a 3.6 GPA. His skills will translate very well to the college level. We were fortunate that he had a relationship with our new coach, Donnie Vinson, making the recruiting process much smoother. We are excited for Josiah to strengthen our middle weights and continue helping us being an elite program."

Welcome to @PackWrestle Josiah Rider (149)

#38 nationally and #7 at 152 by @FloWrestling #PackMentality #Classof2022 pic.twitter.com/prK5DFOQ3c
— NC State Wrestling (@PackWrestle) November 8, 2017

• Matt Grippi (149/157)

2x New York State Finalist
2016 FloNationals All-American
2x Section Champion
Ranked #87 in the Top 100 by Intermat Wrestling

Popolizio on Grippi: "Matt is another great product of Iowa Style Club. The New York native strengthens our ties with my home state and will provide great depth to our middle weights. I have witnessed Matt's tremendous work ethic and coachable personality. He fits our gritty mentality and comes to us with a strong skill set."

Welcome to @PackWrestle Matt Grippi (149/157)

Top-100 nationally by @InterMat #PackMentality #Classof2022 pic.twitter.com/Z9SNi9kuvk
— NC State Wrestling (@PackWrestle) November 8, 2017

• Trent Hidlay (174)

2017 Pennsylvania State Champion
2017 Junior National Freestyle and Greco-Roman Runner-Up
2017 FloNationals Champion
3x Super 32 placer
2016 Powerade Champion
2016 Journeyman Classic Champion
Currently ranked #2 at 170 and #15 in in the Top 100 by FloWrestling
Also ranked #2 at 170 and #25 in the Top 100 by InterMat

Popolizio on Hidlay: "Trent headlines this 2018 class with a top wrestling and academic profile. He has won a Pennsylvania State title and multiple national tournaments, as well as placing in several other prestigious tournaments. He carries a 4.0 GPA and is interested in Engineering so his work ethic and mentality embodies everything our program is about. We are excited that Trent will follow his brother's (Hayden) success to Raleigh and make an immediate impact in our upper weights."

Welcome to @PackWrestle Trent Hidlay (174)

#15 nationally and #1 at 170 by @FloWrestling #PackMentality #Classof2022 pic.twitter.com/Ay5MqUPKZj
— NC State Wrestling (@PackWrestle) November 8, 2017

• Tyler Barnes (184/197)

2017 New York State Champion
2017 UWW Freestyle National All-American
2017 NHSCA Junior National Champion
2016 Cadet National Freestyle and Greco-Roman Runner-Up
Currently ranked #8 at 182 and #89 in the Top 100 by FloWrestling
Also ranked #12 at 182 and #85 nationally by InterMat

Popolizio on Barnes: "Tyler is another great product of the Albany, N.Y. area who will be joining Wolfpack Wrestling. As a national champion, multiple time All-American, and high school state champion, his accomplishments speak for themselves. His strong academic background is also what we strive to recruit. He fits an immediate need for us with Pete Renda and Michael Macchiavello graduating this year.

Welcome to @PackWrestle Tyler Barnes

#8 at 182 and #89 nationally by @FloWrestling #PackMentality #Classof2022 pic.twitter.com/VOnSTqxR2m
— NC State Wrestling (@PackWrestle) November 8, 2017

• Jake Cook (197)

2017 New York State Qualifier
2x UWW Cadet National Freestyle All-American
2016 New York State Freestyle and Greco-Roman Champion

Popolizio on Cook: "Jake follows in his older brother's (Bill) footsteps by joining the Wolfpack family. His ability to produce on the state and national level, as well as maintain a 3.6 GPA, fits our expectations. We look forward to Jake providing more depth for our upper weights."

Welcome to @PackWrestle Jack Cook

2x UWW Cadet National Freestyle All-American#PackMentality #Classof2022 pic.twitter.com/SRq7xw9605
— NC State Wrestling (@PackWrestle) November 8, 2017

• Tony Wuest (197)

2x Delaware State Champion
2x NHSCA All-American
2017 Super 32 placer
2016 Beast of the East Placer

Popolizio on Wuest: "Tony joins the Wolfpack family as a multiple-time state champion and All-American. He willingness to compete at a high-level will make an impact in our upper weights. Tony will play a big role in the development of this outstanding incoming class.

Welcome to @PackWrestle Tony Wuest (197)

2-time NHSCA All-American#PackMentality #Classof2022 pic.twitter.com/wNMCBSfqk7
— NC State Wrestling (@PackWrestle) November 8, 2017

• Tyrie Houghton (197)

2017 North Carolina State Runner-Up
2017 Disney Duals All-American
2017 Super 32 Placer

Popolizio on Houghton: "Tyrie brings in a budding wrestling career and outstanding academic profile. A recent placewinner at the prestigious Super 32 tournament proves Tyrie is making strides on the mat. His 4.95 GPA and interest in Mechanical Engineering highlights his strengths as a true student-athlete. We pride ourselves in developing in-state talent and Tyrie will follow Malik McDonald and Michael Macchiavello as good North Carolina upper weights at NC State."

Welcome to @PackWrestle Tyrie Houghton (197)

2017 NC state runner-up; 3rd at Super 32#PackMentality #Classof2022 pic.twitter.com/VKkw4fIrik
— NC State Wrestling (@PackWrestle) November 8, 2017

• Colin Lawler (285)

3x Texas Prep State Champion
2017 Super 32 Placer
2017 National Prep All-American
2015 USA Wrestling Preseason National Champion
2015 Cadet National Freestyle and Greco-Roman All-American
Currently ranked #13 by InterMat and #12 by FloWrestling at 220

Popolizio on Lawler: "We believe Colin is a true diamond in the rough. Originally from upstate New York, Colin has spent the past four years honing his skills in Texas. His improvement on the mat, evidenced by becoming a 2017 National Prep All-American and Super 32 place winner this past month, displays his rise as a wrestler. Another exceptional student in this 2018 class, Colin fits our mentality and mold, as well as a distinct need for a heavyweight. Under the staff and Nick Gwiazdowski's tutelage, we know Colin will make an impact for the Wolfpack."

Welcome to @PackWrestle Colin Lawler (285)

#13 at 220 by @InterMat #PackMentality #Classof2022 pic.twitter.com/elpbp8JBkT
— NC State Wrestling (@PackWrestle) November 8, 2017

North Carolina State University Athletics

Related News

Players Mentioned

Michael Macchiavello

Malik McDonald

Pete Renda

Related Videos