Amidst Gable Steveson’s Controversial Return, Former NCAA Star Joins David Taylor for Dream Wrestling Comeback: ‘Since I Was a Kid’

Remember when Oklahoma State’s Director of Athletics, Chad Weiberg, went on to say, “I think it’s a great thing any time that we can put the brand of the program out in the wrestling world”? Well, it turns out what Chad said before David Taylor’s World Championship bronze was a prophecy of sorts. Despite only having won a bronze, it seems like the head coach of OKC has made the idea of returning from retirement a rather popular one! Recently, another name also got back on the NCAA roster! Gable Steveson, the 2020 Olympic Gold medalist, has also decided it is time for him, too, to return.

Gable is coming back for one last run! And he will be joining the University of Minnesota with a 52-match win streak. This is not just setting up the upcoming season to be exciting but is also building a trend of athletes returning. However, Gable’s return has been a rather controversial one. Many claim that the return takes away opportunities from other student-athletes. Despite these criticisms, fortunately, or unfortunately, OKC’s wrestling program with Taylor has become fertile ground for what could be called ‘comeback athletes.’ In fact, they are welcoming an Air Force transfer this season—someone who, like Gable, is extending his time to stay!

The groundwork pulls in another star, Wyatt Hendrickson!

The Air Force heavyweight star, who had a 31-2 record in the 2022–23 season, will be switching sides. Wyatt Hendrickson is bidding adieu to the blues of the Air Force and donning the oranges for OKC for the upcoming season. It seems like a comeback pattern is very much the trend! And guess what? It was, in fact, OKC that invited Wyatt back to the mat!

Wyatt thought he would be ending his NCAA career after the 2024 NCAA Championships, where he won third place. The final bow, end of story. He would be off to live his military dream. But 20 minutes after the win, out came a barrage of coaches ready to recruit him. Wyatt went on to decline them all until a week later, when his commanders gave him a lifeline.

The commanders decided to give him a special exception to defer a year. And, of course, Wyatt Hendrickson picked the college that would understand what the weight of that decision means. And, more importantly, a coach who truly understands what coming back is all about! As Wyatt himself puts it, “Coach Taylor is the best wrestler in the world, so when I’m wrestling him and he’s making moves on me, he can simulate exactly what it’s going to feel like.” But that’s not the only reason for picking OKC!

Stepping into the Oklahoma State program was a dream come true moment for Wyatt, who grew up a Cowboys fan.“I’ve always been fond of Oklahoma State. I’ve been going to their duals since I was a little kid,” he said, talking about the same. Additionally, Wyatt is also from Newton, Kan. A place not so far from OKC. As Wyatt himself puts it, “This is the closest Division I wrestling school to my house, so my family loves that.” Overall, OKC does seem like the perfect fit for Wyatt Hendrickson. Now, the exciting question is, will he wrestle against his former team this season?

Does this mean Wyatt Hendrickson might have to wrestle against his alma mater?

OKC does have a match coming up against Wyatt Hendrickson’s alma mater. As the NCAA schedule moves into 2025, the first match is set to happen on January 3rd. The Air Force Falcons will visit Gallagher-Iba Arena for the same! Wyatt, during his time at his alma mater, had a great NCAA record. In 2022, he even earned the Most Dominant Wrestler title and had a 26-2 record. And Wyatt just might have some loyalties that lie with the Air Force, stopping him from going against them!

As Wyatt himself puts it, “There’s no bad blood there at all. There’s nothing wrong with friendly competition… But if there’s pictures of me standing over my own guys and beating them—it doesn’t really sit well with me.” It is complicated, considering Wyatt spent most of his collegiate wrestling time there. But if Wyatt Hendrickson wants to end his collegiate era with a season that the world will not forget, he just might have to fight his alma mater, too! Additionally, if Wyatt underperforms or selectively performs, it could bring up questions and criticisms much like Gable. If he underperforms, the funding going into Wyatt’s training will be questioned before everything else!