As the new junior college wrestling season approaches, several returning wrestlers across the NJCAA and 3C2A are positioned to make significant impacts.

The upcoming season features a strong collection of returning champions, finalists, All-Americans and experienced contenders, along with NCAA Division I transfers entering the junior college ranks. With that combination of established talent and new additions, the 2026–27 season could provide some of the most competitive junior college wrestling in recent years.

From returning champions looking to defend their titles to newcomers hoping to make an immediate impact, there will be plenty of wrestlers worth following throughout the season.

NJCAA Wrestlers to Watch

Bilal Muhammad — Iowa Central Community College

Iowa Central Community College’s Bilal Muhammad enters the season as one of the most accomplished returning wrestlers in the NJCAA.

Originally from Pakistan, Muhammad is the returning NJCAA champion at 125 pounds. Last season, he made history by becoming the first Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) athlete since 2017 to capture an NJCAA individual championship at 125 pounds.

With an NJCAA title already on his resume, Muhammad will be one of the wrestlers to watch closely as he looks to defend his championship.

Ollie Webb — Indian Hills Community College

Indian Hills Community College will return a NJCAA champion in Ollie Webb.

The Georgia native captured the NJCAA championship at 133 pounds last season after winning an overtime thriller in the championship match.

Webb also established himself as a successful high school wrestler, earning NHSCA All-American honors while competing for Southeast Whitfield in Georgia.

With an NJCAA championship and strong high school credentials, Webb enters the season as one of the premier returning wrestlers in the country.

Jahkari Clark — Indian Hills Community College

Indian Hills enter the season with two returning NJCAA champions, as Jahkari Clark also returns to the Warriors’ lineup.

Clark won his NJCAA championship decisively, defeating Kyler Tabor of Labette Community College in the championship match.

A product of West Des Moines Valley High School in Des Moines, Iowa, Clark was a three-time Iowa High School Athletic Association state qualifier and placed twice at the IHSAA State Wrestling Championships at 144 pounds.

With an NJCAA championship already under his belt, Clark will be one of the premier returning wrestlers in the NJCAA.

Tony Palmer — Iowa Western Community College

Tony Palmer provides one of the more unique stories among this year’s returning NJCAA champions.

The South Sioux City, Nebraska, native originally enrolled at Iowa Western Community College to play football. Palmer saw action for the Iowa Western Reivers football program, which won the NJCAA football championship last December, before making an impact on the wrestling mat.

Palmer eventually captured an individual NJCAA wrestling championship by pinning returning NJCAA champion Trevyn Gates of Western Wyoming Community College who previously begun his college career at NCAA Division I Purdue.

Gates had and was also a two-time Nebraska high school state champion.

Palmer’s transition from football to championship-level wrestling makes him one of the most intriguing returning athletes in junior college wrestling.

NJCAA Newcomer to Watch

Daishun Powe — Pratt Community College

One of the notable additions to the NJCAA this season will be NCAA Division I transfer Daishun Powe, who will compete for Pratt Community College in Kansas.

Powe previously competed at the NCAA Division I level for the University of Northern Colorado before making the move to the junior college ranks.

His Division I experience should make him an intriguing wrestler to watch as he begins this next chapter of his collegiate career.

Transfers with NCAA Division I experience can make an immediate impact at the junior college level, and Powe will be one of the newcomers worth following throughout the season.

Other NJCAA Returners to Watch

Beyond the returning champions, several accomplished wrestlers will be looking to make their own runs at an NJCAA championship.

125 Pounds

• Colt Collet
• Stockton Allen
• 133 Pounds
• Matthew Long

141 Pounds

• Che Jenkins
• Parker Ballantyne
• Tyler Misenheimer
• Mikey Boyhan

149 Pounds

• Kyler Tabor
• Aiden Gillings
• Logan Crowther

Darik Soucia

157 Pounds

• Jacob Goodwin
• Colton Tucker

Chauncey Dean

165 Pounds

• Colton Theobald

174 Pounds

• Dylan Block
• Scout Trotter

184 Pounds

• David Sample
• Seth Martin
• Jonathan Clohecy

Luciano Lopez

197 Pounds

• Trevyn Gates
• Elijah Josey
• Preston Hagel
• Jason Osgood

285 Pounds

• Zaman Anwar
• Martin Marin
• Mykola Boyhan

Other NJCAA Wrestlers Worth Watching

Charlie Foster

Charlie Foster of Durhamville, New York, made a major impact during his time at Onondaga Community College in New York.

Competing at 174 pounds, Foster was an NCAA Division I transfer from the University at Buffalo who put together a dominant season. He won the New York Collegiate championship and captured an NJCAA championship during his time at Onondaga.

Foster is now moving on to NCAA Division I University of Tennessee at Chattanooga next season.

Before college, Foster established himself as a accomplished high school wrestler in New York, compiling 149 career victories at Verona-Sherrill High School.

His success demonstrates the type of immediate impact that experienced Division I transfers can make at the junior college level.

Isaiah Powe

Originally from Mount Olive, Alabama, Isaiah Powe competed unattached while associated with Iowa Central Community College and used the season to seek out some of the nation’s toughest competition.

Competing at 141 pounds, Powe finished second at the Soldier Salute in Iowa, going 4-1 at the NCAA Division I-heavy tournament. During his run, he defeated returning NCAA Division I All-American Nasir Bailey of Iowa in the semifinals and competed against several other Division I opponents before finishing runner-up.

Powe also competed at the Grand View Open.

His willingness to pursue high-level competition made him one of the more intriguing junior college wrestlers to follow. Powe began his collegiate career at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and qualified for the NCAA Championships after redshirting at the junior college level.

He will now continue his career at the University of Oklahoma.

As a high school wrestler at Gardendale High School in Alabama, Powe went 80-1 over two seasons.

Mohamed Abdelhady

Originally from Egypt, Mohamed Abdelhady brought extensive international experience to Indian Hills Community College in Iowa.

A member of Egypt’s freestyle national team, Abdelhady became a two-time NJCAA All-American and a two-time NJCAA finalist at 165 pounds.

He will continue his career at NCAA Division I Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania.

Shehabeldin Mohamed

Another Egyptian standout, Shehabeldin Mohamed also competed on Egypt’s freestyle national team.

During his time at Indian Hills Community College, Mohamed became a two-time NJCAA All-American and a NJCAA finalist at 149 pounds.

He will continue his collegiate career at NCAA Division I Long Island University in New York.

A Season Full of Opportunity

The returning talent across the NJCAA should make for an especially competitive season. With multiple returning champions joined by finalists, All-Americans and experienced contenders, NCAA Division I transfers looking to make an immediate impact., the competition for conference, regional and NJCAA post season honors should be highly competitive from the opening weeks of the season through the NJCAA Championships.

These wrestlers represent only a portion of the talent returning to junior college wrestling. As the season develops, additional wrestlers from both the NJCAA and 3C2A will emerge as contenders and potentially establish themselves among the nation’s best junior college wrestlers.

For programs across the country, the junior college level continues to provide an important pathway for athletes to develop, compete for national championships and pursue opportunities at the next level. The returning class gives fans plenty of reasons to follow the NJCAA closely this season.

The Top JUCO Wrestlers Returning in the 3C2A

The 3C2A enters the new season with a strong collection of returning talent, including a returning champion, finalists, All-Americans and wrestlers with extensive international and NCAA Division I experience.

Paulo Valdez — Victor Valley College

Paulo Valdez of Victor Valley College enters the season as one of the top returning wrestlers in the 3C2A.

Valdez is a returning 3C2A finalist and All-American at 133 pounds after putting together an impressive 34-1 season.

He consistently sought quality competition throughout the year, including at the Menlo Open in California, where he captured the tournament championship with four consecutive bonus-point victories. His run included three technical falls and a major decision over opponents with NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II and NAIA experience.

His only loss of the season came in the 3C2A championship match, where he was upset by Josiah Sandoval of Sacramento City College, an NCAA Division I transfer.

A product of Hesperia High School, Valdez was a three-time California state medalist and a two-time Reno Tournament of Champions champion. One of his Reno championships came with a victory over Sean Wilcox of national powerhouse St. John Bosco.

Valdez was also an NHSCA All-American, Doc Buchanan medalist and was ranked as high as No. 17 nationally while wrestling for Hesperia High School.

He is expected to compete at either 125 or 133 pounds this season. If Valdez moves to 125, a potential matchup with returning 3C2A champion Connor Jeong could become one of the most anticipated bouts of the season.

Connor Jeong — Santa Rosa Junior College

Connor Jeong enters the season as the returning 3C2A champion and All-American at 125 pounds.

Jeong defeated Fresno City’s Alijah Ortiz 4-2 in the championship match in a bout that came down to the final seconds.

The championship was particularly significant for Santa Rosa Junior College, as Jeong became the program’s first 3C2A individual champion in nearly 15 years.

With Jeong returning, the 125-pound weight class could become one of the most intriguing divisions in the 3C2A.

A potential matchup between Jeong and Valdez would feature two returning All-Americans with championship aspirations.

Veysel Pekince — Mt. San Antonio College

Veysel Pekince of Mt. San Antonio College is another returning 3C2A finalist and All-American who will be looking to finish the job this season at 165 pounds.

Originally from Turkey, Pekince opened the season with a dominant 20-0 record before suffering a 7-0 loss to returning 3C2A champion Preston Scharf of Cuesta College in the championship match.

Pekince brings significant international experience to the 3C2A. He is a former member of the Turkish freestyle national team and a U.S. Beach Wrestling national champion.

During his run to his second beach wrestling title, Pekince defeated former NCAA Division I wrestler Conrad Rangel of the University of Minnesota in the semifinals before defeating Ryan Fillingame, a former two-time NCAA Division II All-American and NCAA Division II runner-up from Adams State, in the championship match.

Mt. SAC has also continued to benefit from experienced coaching, including two-time NCAA Division I All-American Chris Mecate from Old Dominion.

After reaching the 3C2A championship match last season, Pekince will be one of the wrestlers to watch as he looks to capture an individual 3C2A championship in junior college.

William Fulgentes — Moorpark College

William Fulgentes enters the season as a returning 3C2A finalist and All-American after an impressive true freshman campaign.

Fulgentes reached the championship match before dropping an 11-7 decision to Vaea Salt of Sacramento City College.

He also earned Upper Weight Most Valuable Wrestler honors at the Southern Regionals, further establishing himself as one of the top returning upper-weight wrestlers in the 3C2A.

Fulgentes is expected to make an impact at 197 pounds this season.

He is coached by Lindley Kistler, a former two-time NCAA Division I All-American at the University of Iowa.

3C2A Newcomers to Watch

Joe Buck — Fresno City College

One of the most notable newcomers to the 3C2A this season will be Joe Buck, an upper-weight NCAA Division I transfer from Cal Poly who will compete for Fresno City College.

Buck brings Division I experience to a Fresno City program coached by former NCAA Division I champion Paul Keysaw.

His background also includes competing for one of the nation’s premier high school programs, Clovis High School.

While at Clovis, Buck was a two-time medalist at California’s single-class state tournament. He helped Clovis produce three top-five California state team finishes and a top-15 national ranking.

Buck’s combination of Division I experience and a strong high school resume makes him one of the most intriguing newcomers in the 3C2A.

Carlos Melgoza — Fresno City College

Carlos Melgoza is another incoming freshman who could make an immediate impact for Fresno City College at 125 pounds.

Melgoza is a product of Firebaugh High School, where he was a California state medalist in one of the most competitive wrestling regions in the country in the Central Valley.

He was also a Five Counties Tournament and Doc Buchanan Tournament medalist.

With Fresno City adding several talented newcomers, Melgoza could become one of the freshmen to watch at 125 pounds.

Aaron Silva — Cerritos College

Aaron Silva will be another incoming freshman with an opportunity to make an immediate impact in the 3C2A.

Silva is a four-time California state qualifier who competed for Calvary Chapel and Corona del Mar in California’s single-class state tournament.

He reached the state podium with a fourth-place finish and also established himself nationally by finishing as a folkstyle national runner-up in Iowa.

Silva is expected to have an opportunity to compete at 133 pounds for Cerritos College.

His high school experience and success against quality competition make him a wrestler worth watching as he begins his collegiate career.

Other 3C2A Returners to Watch

125 Pounds

• Carlos Melgoza
• Aaron Silva

133 Pounds

• Andre Garcia
• Cairo Plascencia
• Abduallah Nori

141 Pounds

• Isaac Gonzalez

149 Pounds

• Sergio Porras

184 Pounds

• Fazal Mohammad

197 Pounds

• Dylan Henry

285 Pounds

• Kendrick Salcedo
• Dominic DeBo

Other Notable 3C2A Wrestlers

Camilo Ramirez — Mt. San Antonio College

Camilo Ramirez competed at 125 pounds for 3C2A team champion Mt. San Antonio College and finished third at the 3C2A Championships as a freshman, earning All-American honors.

Ramirez comes from an accomplished wrestling family.

His brother Alex Ramirez was a 3C2A individual champion for Mt. SAC and later won an NJCAA championship for Clackamas Community College before transferring to NAIA powerhouse Grand View University in Iowa.

Another brother, Ronnie Ramirez, competes for Oklahoma State.

Camilo’s status for the upcoming season remains unsure, but if he returns it will be  something to watch as the 3C2A season develops.

Maxximus Martinez — Mt. San Antonio College

One of the biggest questions surrounding the 3C2A offseason is the future of Maxximus Martinez.

Martinez competed for Mt. San Antonio College and won the 3C2A championship at 157 pounds last season while going undefeated at a highly competitive weight.

Originally from Gilroy, California, Martinez wrestled for nationally ranked Gilroy High School under Oklahoma State wrestling legend and UFC Hall of Fame member Daniel Cormier.

Under Cormier, Martinez was ranked as high as No. 2 nationally at 145 pounds.

His high school resume includes a USA Wrestling Cadet Freestyle championship, a third-place finish at the Reno Tournament of Champions, two third-place finishes at the California state tournament, a runner-up finish at the UWW Cadet Freestyle World Team Trials, USA Wrestling Cadet National Team honors, a third-place finish in Greco-Roman at USA Wrestling Junior Nationals and a 5-0 record in the Junior Duals.

Martinez will transfer and will be a huge addition to any four-year program.

Islam Abdullaev — Sierra College

Islam Abdullaev of Dagestan, Russia, has been one of Sierra College’s most consistent wrestlers over the past two seasons.

Competing at 157 pounds, Abdullaev was a two-time 3C2A third-place finisher and All-American.

He also went 5-1 at the Embry-Riddle Open in Arizona to earn a third-place finish against four-year competition.

If Abdullaev remains unsigned, his experience and international background could make him an intriguing addition for a four-year program.

Sierra College has a long history of developing wrestlers who go on to become NCAA and NAIA All-Americans.

Nick Rodriguez — Palomar College

Nick Rodriguez of Palomar College narrowly missed the 3C2A All-American podium during his second year.

However, Rodriguez will add international experience to the table. He has won a national championship in the Philippines and is expected to represent the Philippines at the Senior World Championships in Kazakhstan.

That international experience could make Rodriguez an intriguing pick up for a four-year program following the upcoming season.

Rocky Humphrey Jr.

Rocky Humphrey Jr. finished third at the 3C2A Championships and earned All-American honors.

He will continue his career at NCAA Division II Colorado Mesa University, where he is expected to compete at either 141 or 149 pounds.

Raising the Level of Competition

As the 3C2A continues to develop, one area that could further elevate the division is increased national competition.

There is precedent for junior college programs that should make an effort to seek out the nation’s best.

During the late 2000s, Sierra College competed outside California at events such as the Cowboy Open in Wyoming, the Harold Nichols Tournament in Iowa and the Fullerton Open in California. Sierra College also arranged a dual against Iowa Central Community College, one of the top NJCAA programs of that era. That team produced NCAA Division 1 All-American for Iowa State in Matt Gibson, NCAA Division II champion Todd Wilcox for Gand Canyon University and Arizona State signee Norman Richmond to name a few.

Chabot College emerged as one of the nation’s premier junior college wrestling programs during the 1970s and 1980s, establishing a standard of excellence that extended well beyond California. Under the leadership of legendary Hall of Fame coach Zack Papachristos, Chabot deliberately sought out the toughest competition available, traveling to face powerhouse programs such as North Idaho College and entering major open tournaments against the nation’s best junior college wrestlers.

Those challenges quickly established Chabot’s national credentials. In one of the program’s defining moments, Chabot finished ahead of Phoenix College of Arizona, the nation’s No. 1-ranked NJCAA program at the time. Chabot went on to capture back-to-back national junior college team titles, defeating several of the country’s top programs along the way and earning recognition as the top JUCO wrestling team in the nation.

What made those championship teams particularly remarkable was the extraordinary level of talent assembled in the Chabot wrestling room. Several members of those squads went on to achieve NCAA Division I and Division II All-American status, with some reaching the very pinnacle of collegiate wrestling.

Among them were Steve Markey, who continued his career at CSU Bakersfield and became an NCAA Division I Champion; Garen McDonald, an NCAA All-American at CSU Bakersfield; Roger Herrera, a two-time NCAA All-American at CSU Bakersfield; Chuck Justice, an NCAA All-American at CSU Bakersfield; and Sylvester “Sweety Bird” Carver, who went on to earn two NCAA Division I All-American honors for Fresno State.

Chabot College was not simply producing junior college champions—it was developing wrestlers capable of succeeding at the highest levels of collegiate wrestling. The program’s success under Papachristos stands as one of the most significant chapters in California junior college wrestling history and demonstrates just how formidable Chabot was during the golden era of the 1970s and 1980s.

Mt. San Antonio College is led by head coach David Rivera a former 2x NAIA national runner-up, which has won three consecutive 3C2A team championships, has also established itself as one of the premier junior college programs in the country when it comes to developing wrestlers for the next level.

Over the years, Mt. SAC has helped send wrestlers to NCAA Division I programs, including Christopher Betancourt to Long Island University, David Saenez to the University of Wyoming or Noel Blanco to Drexel University to name a few. Blanco went on to compete at the NCAA Division I Championships for Drexel, where he posted a 2-2 record.

The program has also produced athletes who have gone on to success at other levels of college wrestling. Zachary Parker continued his career at Glenville State University and earned NCAA Division II All-American honors.

That type of scheduling can benefit individual wrestlers and entire programs. Competing against NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II and NAIA athletes provide junior college wrestlers with opportunities to test themselves against different styles and levels of competition.

More national competition could also help strengthen the case for junior college wrestling on a broader scale and for the Simple Man-JUCO Tough national rankings, the goal will be giving the top athletes throughout the season through national rankings, wrestlers accomplishments and coverage of the nation’s top junior college programs a platform.

For information regarding future Simple Man- JUCO Tough national individual and team rankings, contact: aaronlafarge@aol.com.

Photo images: John Sachs (Tech-Fall),: Indian Hills Community College athletic page, Iowa Western Community College athletic page, and Mt. San Antonio College athletic page