Bo Bassett is a name you simply can’t ignore. From his early days, he has captured the attention of wrestling fans and scouts alike, especially after embarking on an unconventional college recruitment process. As the #1 recruit for the 2026 season, Bo has become a fixture in headlines—and for good reason. With every match, he solidifies his place as a rising star, and it seems like Bo Bassett isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

But long before the world recognized Bo’s prodigious talent, there was one man who had already seen the spark—Jody Strittmatter. A two-time NCAA All-American and national champion from the University of Iowa, Jody is no stranger to greatness. He’s coached the likes of Spencer Lee, a three-time national champion, and Jason Nolf, another three-time NCAA champion. Yet, when it comes to Bo, Jody saw something even more extraordinary. “He’s special. I mean, when you know, you know,” Jody recalls, reflecting on the early days of Bo’s wrestling journey. And coming from a coach of his caliber, those words carry serious weight.

Jody has been more than just a coach to Bo; he’s been a guiding presence, watching him grow from a little boy hanging around the gym into the phenom he is today. “I’ve seen him since he was a baby, whether he was the water boy for his dad or just a young kid sitting in the corner while the older kids worked out,” Jody said. “He was too young to even work out at five or six, but you could just tell from a young age.”

Bo’s introduction to wrestling may have started on the sidelines, but it was enough to light a fire within him. His early exposure to the sport left a lasting impact, nurturing a love for wrestling that continues to fuel his rise. “His attention to detail, even as a kid, was remarkable. He looked up to those older kids and soaked up everything like a sponge,” Jody explained. It wasn’t just raw talent that set Bo apart, but his laser focus and work ethic that has propelled him to the top of the recruiting class.

But even top recruits face adversity. Despite his remarkable trajectory, Bo has hit a few bumps in the road recently, shaking up his status as the #1 recruit. However, if there’s one thing Bo Bassett has proven time and again, it’s that he thrives under pressure. This journey is far from over, and Bo seems destined to keep making waves for years to come.

Bo’s walking the rocky road.

Bo Bassett faced a setback on the international stage recently. At the Under-20 World Championships in Spain, Bo faced Japan’s Makoto Hosokawa in the semi-finals. The match ended with a 10-0 loss for Bo. That wasn’t just a loss but a wake-up call. A reminder of how easy it was to slip off from wearing the glory cap of being the top recruit. Bo, of course, understood the same and wasn’t going to let the loss define his U20 season.

Bo came back to put up a fight in the Bronze-winning match. And put up a fight he did! He fought Nikoloz Beshidze of Georgia and won 10-0. Although the Bronze is an impressive win, it wasn’t the position that Bo planned to stay in. Hungry for more, Bo is already off on his next adventure, aka Bo’s redemption match. On September 29th, Bo Bassett will go head to head against Daniel Zepeda on the mats of FloWrestling’s Who’s Number One.

Making the match even more exciting is the fact that Daniel and Bo have fought before. A match that ended with Bo winning. This is his chance to reclaim the top spot, this time against a two-time California state champion. The stakes are high, and the winner walks away as the undisputed #1 in the nation. The pressure is on. But if there is one thing that the world knows about Bo. It is that he thrives under pressure. After all, “when you know, you know.” And Bo Bassett is ready to prove it once again.