David Taylor may not have thought something proverbial would come after his shift to Oklahoma State. The reigning Olympic champion has recently changed his profession from thwarting opponents’ attacks in the circle to mentoring wrestlers on how to do the same. The primary effect can be seen as a Nebraska commit wrestler is now ready to shift to Oklahoma to train under David Taylor. 

The X-handle, MatScouts, broke the news that about Kody Routledge, the 70-kg weight class wrestler, who has left the Nebraska camp to flip his allegiance to the Oklahoma State Wrestling camp. Surprisingly, the same wrestler ignored the Cowboys’ call six months ago to choose Nebraska’s den. However, during this time, several things happened in Oklahoma, including David Taylor’s roping in as the coach. That may have impressed Kody that he is now ready to shift in. If the momentum keeps going, then the wrestler might enter the 157-pound weight category in the Cowboys’ roster. 

As the current situation dictates, David Taylor holds three wrestlers in the 157-pound category in the pool. Among them, Daniel Manibog, the red-shirt senior, proves to be fitting with stunning numbers from the last season. But Kody Routledge might prove the best buy for several reasons: 

1. Kody Routledge has a back-to-back leaderboard finish in the state title in his junior year. 
2. He holds the 2022 16U Fargo National Championship title in Freestyle wrestling. In 2023, as well he finished on the leaderboard. 
3. He grabbed third in the 2023 U17 World Team Trials in Freestyle. 
4. In the 157-pound category, Kody bagged the third position in the Elite division in the Nebraska Kearney Younes College Open. 

Furthermore, the wrestling phenom has his roots in Oklahoma, being an alum of Edmond North High School. And in his so far journey, Kody has had call-ups from the wrestling camps like Iowa State, Ohio State, and Missouri. That establishes him way above in the league. So, roping in from the transfer portal could bring fresh air to the Oklahoma State Wrestling squad, including David Taylor. But the only hiccup might be Kody’s current form. 

David Taylor has to find the real deal in the phenom 

Kody Routledge displayed a few shortcomings in the 2023 season because of his inexperience against the big names. In 2022, the wrestler had defeated Kollin Rath, the top recruit. But coming to 2023, on the same occasion, Kody had to digest a defeat from the same wrestler in the final. Meanwhile, this year, participating from the Husky WC, Kody Routledge faced a clean sweep from P. J. Duke in the 70-kg class. 

Another heartbreak came from Charlie Millard in the 74-kg weight category. The result came despite being the third seed in the 74 kg category for the U20 World Team trials. Therefore, such results might not sit well for the wrestler and David Taylor regarding the current off-form. But being a battle-hardened wrestler, David would guide Kody Routledge to the top position. Eventually, in his stepping into the role, the 3-time world champion mentioned such an uncomfortable situation when he will have to face a tough battle. 

Speaking about his coaching decision, David Taylor said, “It is the most uncomfortable — (one of) the most uncomfortable decisions I’ve ever made. But just like training, just like when I was a kid, the best results come from being uncomfortable.” Now, it seems the time to face the ‘uncomfortable’ state.