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Rutgers wrestling finds its next heavyweight in the transfer portal
TL;DR
Iowa State heavyweight wrestler Daniel Herrera has committed to Rutgers, bringing three years of eligibility. He replaces Hunter Catka, who transferred after a challenging season, continuing Rutgers' trend of acquiring transfer heavyweights.
Iowa State heavyweight wrestler Daniel Herrera announced on his Instagram that he had committed to continue his career at Rutgers.
Herrera has three years of eligibility remaining. He redshirted this season behind national finalist Yonger Bastida but was a national qualifier two years ago when he went 29-15, finishing fifth at the Big 12 Championships and going 0-2 at NCAAs.
Herrera replaces Hunter Catka, who transferred to Rutgers from Virginia Tech for his final season. Catka reached the blood round at NCAAs but lost in sudden victory after leading late, sealing Rutgers’ second straight year without an All-American.
Herrera’s arrival continues a trend of transfer heavyweights. Before Catka, Harvard transfer Yaraslau Slavikouski filled the role for two years - earning All-American honors his first season - after Boone McDermott held the spot for two years following his transfer from Iowa Central Community College.
The Scarlet Knights have one of the best scholastic heavyweights in the country committed in Malvern Prep (Pa.)’s Lukas Zalota, but he is a junior who still has a year of high school remaining.
The Scarlet Knights will be looking to replace six senior starters next season, but heavyweight is the only spot they really needed to hit the portal. Redshirt freshman Brandon Toranzo and junior Haydn Packer were the only heavyweights on the roster, but neither projected as a starter.
The Scarlet Knights have potential in-house replacements for Dylan Shawver (133), Joey Olivieri (141), Andy Clark (149), Tony White (157) and Lenny Pinto (174) which doesn’t preclude them from going into the portal to find someone to compete for those spots.
Freshmen Anthony Knox (125) and Brandt Harer (141-149) could be immediate impact wrestlers for the Scarlet Knights next season.
Despite the struggles at the NCAA Wrestling Championships, Rutgers finished last season 11th in the country and with a win over Minnesota for the first time ever.
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Q&A
Who is Daniel Herrera and what is his wrestling background?
Daniel Herrera is a heavyweight wrestler from Iowa State with three years of eligibility remaining; he was a national qualifier two years ago and finished fifth at the Big 12 Championships.
Why did Hunter Catka transfer from Rutgers and what was his performance?
Hunter Catka transferred to Rutgers for his final season but faced challenges, losing in the blood round at NCAAs after leading late, contributing to Rutgers' second consecutive year without an All-American.
What is the trend of heavyweight transfers at Rutgers wrestling?
Rutgers wrestling has seen a trend of acquiring transfer heavyweights, including Yaraslau Slavikouski and Boone McDermott, prior to Herrera's commitment.
