Former Rutgers Wrestlers Find New Teams

TL;DR

Two former Rutgers wrestlers, Ayden Smith and Max Hermes, have transferred to Iowa State and Ohio, respectively. Their moves come after Rutgers secured a commitment from four-time state champion Anthony Knox.

Key points

Ayden Smith transfers to Iowa State
Max Hermes commits to Ohio
Anthony Knox's commitment influenced Smith's decision
Daniel Herrera joins Rutgers from Iowa State

NCAAAyden SmithMax HermesAnthony Knox

125: 28/28 Ayden Smith (R) d. 10/8 Jore Volk 7-2. Rutgers Wrestling vs Minnesota in Piscataway N.J. on February 6, 2026. | Peter Ackerman/Asbury Park Press / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Two former Rutgers wrestlers who entered the transfer portal at the end of last season have already found new teams. Former Rutgers 125-pounder Ayden Smith, who was a starter for Rutgers this past season, is now an Iowa State Cyclone, and Max Hermes, a junior who wrestled in a reserve role for the 157-pounders, has committed to wrestle for Ohio.

Smith decided to enter the transfer portal after the season. Quincidentally, Rutgers also received a major commitment at the 125-pounder spot during the season from four-time state champion Anthony Knox. Some believe that it was Knox’s commitment that pushed Smith into looking for another team. According to Bill Evans of Nj.com, “Knox is arguably Rutgers’ biggest recruit since Nick Suriano transferred from Penn State in 2017. ” Knox is also competing in the US Open this weekend.

Rutgers has also added two wrestlers out of the transfer portal. Former Iowa State heavyweight Daniel Herrera, who qualified for the NCAA tournament his freshman year before redshirting his sophomore year, will spend next season on the banks. He was brought in to help replace Hunter Catka, who is no longer with the program.

In addition to Herrera, Brett Ungar, a former NJ state champion at Hunterdon Central who spent the last four seasons at Cornell, announced that he will be coming to Rutgers for his final year of eligibility. Ungar, who is expected to wrestle in the 133-pound slot, is a two-time NCAA tournament qualifier. This will be Ungar’s last season of eligibility, while Herrera still has three seasons of eligibility.

Q&A

Which former Rutgers wrestlers have transferred to new teams?

Ayden Smith has transferred to Iowa State, while Max Hermes has committed to Ohio.

What impact did Anthony Knox's commitment have on Ayden Smith's transfer?

Some believe that Knox's commitment to Rutgers influenced Smith's decision to enter the transfer portal.

Who is Daniel Herrera and why is he joining Rutgers wrestling?

Daniel Herrera, a former Iowa State heavyweight, is joining Rutgers to help replace Hunter Catka after qualifying for the NCAA tournament in his freshman year.