Days After Hinting Iowa Hawkeyes Move, Nations Top Wrestling Recruit Ditches Coach Brands to Join OSU

The 2025 class of collegiate wrestling is raging in full force as top universities are attracting top wrestlers in the nation. The Iowa Hawkeyes have one of the most stunning wrestling lineups and were about to gain another highly valuable wrestler. However, the top-grossing wrestler announced a sudden change of mind, taking everyone by surprise.

Ladarion Lockett wrestles in the 165-pound category and was ranked third in the list of top recruits in the class of 2025. The Oklahoma native revealed via a social media post that he will side with OSU. In fact, this comes as a big surprise since he was looking forward to joining Tom Brands’ Iowa Hawkeyes.

Oklahoma wrestling sensation ditches Iowa Hawkeyes to stay home

Ladarion Lockett took to Instagram to declare his commitment to the Oklahoma State Cowboys. While the 165-pounder wrote “Go Pokes #committed” in the caption, the graphic he shared carried the words “I’m staying home.” Lockett was touring through several universities and evaluating his options with the Iowa Hawkeyes as his favorite choice. 

But, he chose to be with his home state. While this post comes on 12 December, a post he made on 5 December heavily suggested that he’ll join the Iowa Hawkeyes. Lockett had written, “I want to be surrounded by the best wrestlers while I’m wrestling. I’ve always been a Hawkeye fan.” 

Now, it seems that the best wrestlers Lockett wanted to be surrounded by will see him on the other side of the mat. But, he will be ready to take them on. In fact, the top wrestler has already brought glory to the US as a World Champion.

The wrestling spree of Ladarion ‘Dee’ Lockett

Ladarion Lockett, who goes by the nickname Dee, has already donned the Team USA singlet prior to donning OSU threads. Interestingly, he is the 2023 U-17 World Wrestling Champion and also won an Ironman Championship as a high school freshman. 

Most recently, he competed in a bracket that involved the top five wrestlers of the nation in an ultra-deep Ironman contest. Lockett finished third after being bested by another U-17 World Champ, Joe Sealey. While Dee Lockett was the most serious about the Iowa Hawkeyes, he also teased his fans by trying the outfits of several wrestling teams. 

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The Oklahoma native posted images of himself wearing the uniforms of several wrestling programs. This included the Iowa State Hawkeyes, Little Rock Trojans, Oklahoma University, and Arizona State. While he clicked pictures with the wrestlers of all these wrestlers as potential allies, his next pictures with them will now see him wrestling with them.

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