Ohio State had already signed one of the top recruiting classes in program history with its 2018 crop of wrestling prospects, and added one more member of the class Monday when three-time Ohio high school champ Kevon Freeman announced he would wrestle for the Buckeyes.
A product of Lake Catholic in Mentor, Freeman is one of the top 160-pound prospects in the country, ranked No. 11 by FloWrestling and No. 15 by InterMat. He joins Central Crossing standout Jaden Mattox, ranked No. 6 and No. 4, respectively, at 160.
Freeman announced his intentions to wrestle for head coach Tom Ryan via Twitter.
I am proud to announce that I am verbally committing to The Ohio State University to further my Academic and Wrestling career! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/GcDjAdpee1
— Kevon Freeman (@Kfreeman68) April 16, 2018
Freeman won his third state title – becoming the first Lake Catholic wrestler to win three – by upending Minnesota commit Ryan Thomas of St. Paris Graham. Thomas is a champ of the Super 32 and Walsh Ironman tournaments, and went on to win the NHSCA High School Nationals, so Freeman has the talent and skills to beat some of the best middleweights in the country.
His run to a third title was impressive. Freeman pinned his first opponent in the Division II state tournament in March, shut out his next two opponents, and then battled Thomas to a 4-3 decision, according to Cleveland.com.
Freeman joins a loaded 2018 class coming to Columbus.
| Name | High School | Projected Weight | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaden Mattox | Grove City Central Crossing | 157 | No. 19 |
| Malik Heinselman | Castle View (Colorado) | 125 | No. 55 |
| Jashon Hubbard | Steubenville | 157 | |
| Gavin Hoffman | Montoursville (Pennsylvania) | 197 | No. 13 |
| Kyle Gruber | Massillon Perry | 125 | |
| Rocky Jordan | St. Paris Graham | 165/174 | No. 37 |
| Sammy Sasso | Nazareth (Pennsylvania) | 149/157 | No. 11 |
| Quinn Kinner | Kingsway (New Jersey) | 141/149 | No. 41 |
| Alex Felix | Gillroy (California) | 141/149 | No. 74 |
| Josh Ramirez | Dubuque Wahlert (Iowa) | 174 | |
| Braedin Redlin | Allen (Texas) | 165/174 |
Additionally, Heinselman is InterMat's No. 3 wrestler in the country at 120, Kinner is No. 1 at 138, Sasso is No. 1 at 145, Mattox is No. 4 at 160 (Freeman is No. 15), Jordan is No. 3 at 170 (Redlin is No. 12), and Hoffman is No. 1 at 195.
