WIN’s 2025 NCAA DI Weight Class Preview: 125
Photo: Luke Lilledahl is the top seed at 125 pounds after capturing the Big Ten title. Photo by Sam Janicki.
The following is a look at WIN’s top 125-pound contenders before the 2025 NCAA DI Championships commence in Philadelphia March 20-22.
*Note the rankings and records were last updated prior to the NCAA-qualifying tournaments. For WIN’s final TPI and individual ranks, click here.
1. Matt Ramos, Purdue, Sr.,
Lockport, Ill.
Notes: Transferred from Minnesota in 2022; pinned Iowa’s Spencer Lee in 2023 NCAA semis.
Season/Career Record: 23-0/103-22
NCAA Resume: Fourth Nationals with a 9-5 postseason record: R12 in 2024; 2nd in 2023; R12 in 2022.
Regular-Season Notes: The fifth-year senior has compiled an unblemished 23-0 mark with a bonus percentage of 73.8.
2. Richard Figueroa, Arizona State, RJr., Sanger, Calif.
Note: Captured 2024 NCAA crown after emerging from the No. 8 seed.
Season/Career Record: 12-1/41-6
NCAA Resume: Second Nationals after going 5-0 on way to 2024 NCAA title.
Regular-Season Notes: Lone loss came via injury default at Daktronics Invite on Nov. 17.
3. Vincent Robinson, NC State, RFr., Chicago, Ill.
Note: Only non-medical loss came against Virginia Tech’s Eddie Ventresca on Feb. 21.
Season/Career Record: 18-2/18-2
NCAA Resume: First Nationals
Regular-season Notes: Won Battle at The Citadel and Journeymen Classic before medically forfeiting out of CKLV Invite.
4. Caleb Smith, Nebraska, RSr., High Point, N.C.
Note: Transferred from App State in 2023.
Season/Career Record: 17-4/97-32
NCAA Resume: Fourth Nationals with a 5-7 postseason record: 6th in 2024; 0-2 in 2023; 1-2 in 2022.
Regular-Season Notes: Navy Classic champion. Only dual-meet loss came at the hands of Penn State’s Luke Lilledahl on Jan. 17.
5. Stevo Poulin, No. Colorado, RJr., Ballston Lake, N.Y.
Note: Transferred from NC State in 2022.
Season/Career Record: 17-1/62-14
NCAA Resume: Third Nationals with a 6-4 postseason record: reached R12 in 2024 and 2023.
Regular-Season Notes: Southern Scuffle champion. Lone loss came to Minnesota’s Cooper Flynn at Cougar Clash on Dec. 7.
6. Troy Spratley, Oklahoma State, RSo., Eufala, Okla.
Note: Transferred from Minnesota in 2023.
Season/Career Record: 17-3/39-11
NCAA Resume: Second Nationals with a 2-2 postseason record: reached R12 in 2024.
Regular-Season Notes: Placed third at CKLV Invite after falling to top-ranked Matt Ramos, 5-2, in semis.
7. Jett Strickenberger, West Virginia, Sr., Colorado Springs, Colo.
Note: Transferred from Northwest Kansas Technical College in 2023 and attended North Idaho College in 2022. Wrestled at the CKLV Invite at 133 pounds before dropping back down to 125.
Season/Career Record: 11-6/29-12
NCAA Resume: Second Nationals with an 0-2 postseason record: went 0-2 in 2024.
Regular-season Notes: Went on an eight-match winning streak from Jan. 8 to Feb. 23 which included a pin over Troy Spratley.
8. Eddie Ventresca, Virginia Tech, RJr., Roxbury, N.J.
Note: Earned All-American honors in 2023 with a seventh-place finish as a No. 27 seed.
Season/Career Record: 16-3/37-16
NCAA Resume: Second Nationals with a 4-2 postseason record: 7th in 2023.
Regular-Season Notes: CKLV Invite runner-up, falling to Matt Ramos, 5-2.
9. Luke Lilledahl, Penn State, Fr., St. Charles, Mo.
Note: 2024 Junior Hodge Trophy recipient
Season/Career Record: 16-2/16-2
NCAA Resume: First Nationals
Regular-Season Notes: Suffered two dual-meet setbacks to Dean Peterson of Rutgers and by fall vs. Ohio State’s Brendan McCrone.
10. Dean Peterson, Rutgers, RJr., Barnegat, N.J.
Note: Two-time NJSIAA state champion for Saint John Vianney.
Season/Career Record: 18-4/55-24
NCAA Resume: Third Nationals with 4-4 postseason record: 1-2 in 2024; reached R12 in 2023.
Regular-Season Notes: Midlands champion. Went on a 13-match winning streak from Dec. 6 to Jan. 19.
Others to Watch
• Another former AA to watch is SDSU’s Tanner Jordan, who posted an eighth-place finish in 2024 as a No. 23 seed.
• After posting an 11-12 record at 133 pounds last season, Nicolar Rivera has made the most of his 125-pound experience, enjoying a 17-3 record, which includes a victory over Rutgers’ Dean Peterson.
• Minnesota’s Cooper Flynn, who transferred to Minneapolis by way of Virginia Tech, is 12-4 on the season and has earned wins over Stevo Poulin, 7-1, and Nicolar Rivera in his junior campaign.
• Lehigh veteran Sheldon Seymour, now a junior, has posted a 17-3 mark with all three of his losses coming at the hands of Top-10 foes in Richard Figueroa, Vincent Robinson and Luke Lilledahl.
