As the NCAA wrestling regular season came to an end, so did the seasons of several athletes. Unfortunately, many of those athletes went out not because they couldn’t make it to the postseason, but because of season-ending injuries. Among them was last season’s #8 285-pounder from Campbell, whose promising un came to an unceremonious end.

After rumblings about his uncertain future, Campbell’s wrestling head coach Scotti Sentes gave fans the bad news on January 20. “Taye Ghadiali will be injury redshirting this season,” the Fighting Camels coach explained. This meant that Ghadiali, already in his 6th year, would get another year as a senior. Now, an update regarding the All-American has sparked criticism from the fans.

The update came from Justin Basch on X, who revealed that the redshirt senior had hit the transfer portal. Yet, the point that struck a chord with college wrestling fans was what the Baschamania podcast host wrote at the end of his post. “Taye will be a 7th-year senior next year to wrap up his career,” added about the NCAA wrestler. A section of fans couldn’t reconcile this fact.

“7th year Senior, you say? Let’s put this in perspective,” commented one, and proceeded to break down the age gap. “A 7th year Senior was already in college when a true Freshman was a 6th grader. I’m 100% in favor of giving a 5th year of eligibility and no redshirt for any reason, but 7 years is absolutely absurd,” the netizen explained in his comment.

Yet, not everyone focused on the fact that he would be competing as a 7th-year senior during the 2025-26 season. An interesting point in Justin Basch’s post was Taye Ghadiali being listed as “Do Not Contact” in the transfer portal. Basch guessed the top-10 NCAA heavyweight “knows where he is going already,” while the fans made their best guesses.

While the Cowboys and Nebraska came out on top in the guessing game in the comments, others just couldn’t let go of the 7th year aspect. Despite making the national tournament four times in his college wrestling career, many wrestling fans didn’t show much love to the 2025 All-American contender.

NCAA wrestling fans resorted to sarcasm

Unlike the fan who was nuanced, breaking down the age gap between the three-time SoCon title winner and a freshman, others were far more blunt with their criticism. “7th year senior, what a joke,” commented another wrestling fan. Yet, the Taye Ghadiali becoming a 7th year senior next season wasn’t something he chose to do.

While the NCAA heavyweight wrestler redshirted in his freshman year, he got another “free ‘COVID year,'” as per the Campbell University Magazine. And instead of ending his career thanks to an injury, the 285 lb wrestler has decided to take another shot at the title. As a consistent top title contender, it’s not surprising to see Ghadiali take the medical redshirt route.

In fact, even his coach believes the wrestler has what it takes to win the title next year. Scott Sentes said so while resharing Justin Basch’s post. “Proud coach here. I’ll either be in his corner when he wins an NCAA title or screaming in the stands with his family,” said Sentes, supporting his athlete’s decision to transfer for his 7th and final year in the NCAA.

Some fans didn’t have such confidence in the wrestler. One fan even said the senior wrestler won’t stand a chance next year. “His a** needs to go into retirement. Old a** gonna get whipped by a teenager,” commented the fan. Meanwhile, another fan didn’t even address Ghadiali’s wrestling. “What kind of classes are 7th year students taking?” asked the fan.

It’s uncertain if the fan comment had a hint of sarcasm in his comment. However, another fan saying the NCAA wrestler was “working on that PhD apparently,” certainly had a hint of sarcasm in their comment. Yet it’s safe to say neither the COVID year nor the injury is something Ghadiali could control. What’s worse? He is among several high-profile college wrestlers who are out for the season.

Yesterday, 133 lbs title favorite Ryan Crookham announced he wouldn’t compete in the postseason due to a broken elbow. Yet, what’s your take on Campbell’s wrestling star’s situation? Write your opinions in the comments.