Kyle Dake and Jordan Burroughs are names that send waves through the NCAA wrestling community. After all, aren’t they synonymous with the 74kg weight class? Both these names have established their legacy as stalwarts of the sport. Transcending the realms of the NCAA, both Dake and Burroughs took their stellar wrestling prowess to a whole new level. Securing Olympic berths, they remain two shining stars of NCAA wrestling till now. But what next? 

After the 2024 season, this illustrious duo has called it a day. And with that, the wrestling fans have a new problem at hand. Who will now be responsible for carrying forward the coveted 74kg division? Well, they do have a couple of names in mind. One of them is most certainly David Carr. At just 26, he has an impressive list of accolades to his credit. Competing in the 157 lbs category, Carr has already clinched four Big 12 titles. Add to that his impeccable performance in the NCAA Division I championships and its safe to say that he is a force to be reckoned with. 

Taking part in the 157 lbs and the 164 lbs in 2021 and 2024, respectively, Carr has pocketed two championships until now. Thus, with such a shining CV, it can be expected that he will go on to present a strong case for himself. The other name that is doing the rounds to take over the 74 kg division is Mitchell Mesenbrink of Penn State. One of the biggest achievements of Mesenbrink till now is surely securing the U23 World Championship bronze back in 2024.

And that’s not all. Mesenbrink also clinched a 74kg gold medal competing at the 2023 U20 World Championships. Announcing his arrival in the NCAA in style, Mesenbrink won the Division I gold this year in the 165lbs. However, despite all the shining comparisons, to be able to match the class of Burroughs and Dake will be difficult. After all, we are speaking about the Olympic gold and bronze medalists! Thus, with speculations galore, here’s what the fans have to say. 

Fans speculate the possible NCAA king Of 74kg

As soon as the post gained traction, fans flocked to the comments section to express their views. On the topic of whether Jason Nolf could step in to fill the void, Basch himself weighed in with his thoughts. “He’s out this year recovering from surgery, but I suspect he’ll be right in the mix next year for sure.” Jason Nolf is clearly a fan favorite as other followers of the sport expressed their confidence in his abilities to succeed the duo.

“Maybe Nolf comes back. If so, he’s the clear front-runner. Absent that; Mesenbrink, Carr and O’Toole would have the be the favorites for ‘28. I don’t see Levi going down, his path is probably up from here.” Such a breakdown from the X user reflects how deeply fans are analyzing potential shifts and matchups, highlighting the strategic complexity in identifying the next torchbearer at 74kg.

Expressing regret over a missed opportunity, one fan remarked, “Man, it su*ks Nolf retired. This weight would be his for the taking.” Here, the sentiment isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about a belief that Nolf could have been the perfect bridge between generations, offering continuity to a division now riddled with uncertainty.

Another commenter gave a concise yet loaded take. The wrestling enthusiast wrote, “2 dudes that have done a lot of winning over the years.” This tribute to Burroughs and Dake isn’t just admiration. It’s rather a reminder of the towering standard they set. It emphasizes how daunting the task is for any up-and-comer looking to match their legacies.

Speculating about future potential, a fan shared, “KOT in 2028 but he’ll probably do 79 in 26-27.” This comment points to Keegan O’Toole’s promise but also highlights how weight class shifts can complicate predictions. It reinforces how fluid the post-Dake-Burroughs landscape is, with even top talents not guaranteed to stay in the 74kg frame. Thus, with the situation in doldrums, it now remains to be seen who can step up and fill in the big shoes left vacant by Kyle Dake and Jordan Burroughs.