Iowa wrestling has filled a major need through the transfer portal.
Former Lehigh wrestler Ryan Crookham announced on April 13 that he will transfer to Iowa. The career 133-pounder earned a third-place finish at NCAAs in 2024 and is presumed to have two years of eligibility remaining.
“I am blessed to announce my commitment to the University of Iowa,” Crookham said in an Instagram post. “Excited to pursue national titles in the black and gold. Go Hawks!”
Crookham redshirted in 2022-23, then took third at NCAAs in 2023-24 before having his last two seasons cut short with year-ending ailments. His 2024-25 season, which ended on Dec. 20, 2024, should allow him to qualify for a medical-hardship waiver. In 2025-26, his season extended to Jan. 24, 2025, which means he likely burned a year of eligibility. Competing into the second semester of the collegiate year in wrestling typically results in the inability to receive a medical-hardship waiver, having crossed the midway point of the season.
Crookham should slot in as Drake Ayala’s replacement at 133 pounds. Nasir Bailey also has wrestled at 133 in his career, but he filled the 141-pound spot last season. Regardless, those two should be the 1-2 punch at 133 and 141 in some order, depending on where they’d like to compete next season.
Crookham is a heavy hitter as a former All-American. When healthy, he has flashed the ability to be a national-title contender. After Ayala, Michael Caliendo and Patrick Kennedy all ended their collegiate careers last month, Crookham slots in as someone who, at the very least, can replicate the production they brought at the last NCAAs with top-five finishes.
The Hawkeyes came into the offseason with two major areas of need. One of which was a wrestler like Crookham to pair with Bailey to fill 133-141 pounds. While both Crookham and Bailey battled health issues last season, Kale Petersen projects to be a quality option to fill in should either fall victim to the injury bug again. Petersen has wrestled from 125 to 141 pounds in his career.
The last glaring area of need comes at 165 with Caliendo’s college career concluded. Barring a major shift in weight for someone currently on the roster, there are no obvious candidates to fill that void. If Iowa can address that in the portal, coach Tom Brands’ team will have covered two of its most glaring needs this offseason.
Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.
This article originally appeared on Hawk Central: Iowa wrestling adds Lehigh transfer, NCAA All-American Ryan Crookham
Reporting by Eli McKown, Des Moines Register / Hawk Central
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
