Stutzman Announces 11-Man Recruiting Class
6/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo, The State University of New York wrestling head coach John Stutzman announced his 11-man recruiting class on Wednesday afternoon. Stutzman's 2015-16 recruiting class consists of 13 State Medal winners along with five State Title winners.
"This is another important step for our program," Stated head coach John Stutzman. "Each year we are striving to bring in student-athletes that fit our needs and this class is no different. These student-athletes have succeeded at the highest levels of our sport and we look forward to working with them and helping them achieve their goals of competing for MAC and NCAA Championships while receiving a world class education."
Addrian Ferrerie – Bronx, NY – Mount St. Michael Academy - Weight: 157/165
Ferrerie comes to the Bulls after a solid career at Mount St. Michael Academy for head coach Kevin Jimenez. Ferrerie finished off his impressive career with an overall record of 106-31 while qualifying for the State Tournament on two occasions. He closed out his career with a fourth place finish at the 2015 NYS Tournament while also being named All-State in Greco and freestyle. Ferrerie projects to wrestle at 157-pounds for the Bulls.
Stutzman on Ferrerie: "Addrian is a very gifted athlete and we are excited to work with him. He is a guy that is relatively new to the sport and coming from a smaller program we are excited to watch him develop and mature. As a staff we feel his best wrestling is ahead of him."
Tommy Forte – Mishawaka, IN – Mishawaka HS – Weight: 149
Forte comes to UB from Mishawaka High School in Indiana where he was a two-time State Champion and a four-time State Place Winner. He won two State Titles while also recording second and third place finishes during his illustrious high school career. Ranked by many as a top-100 recruit in the country, Forte was a USA Folk Style All-American and in 2013 placed fourth at the Super 32 Tournament, the nation's toughest preseason tournament. He projects to wrestle at 149 pounds for the Bulls.
Stutzman on Forte: "Tommy is an exceptionally talented wrestler. Having won two state titles, we are expecting him to come in and compete for a starting position right away and compete for MAC and NCAA Titles."
Keagan Harris – Pittsburgh, PA – Pine Richland HS – Weight: 184
Harris comes to the Bulls from Pine Richland High School in Pittsburgh, PA where he wrestled for three seasons including captaining the team as a senior. He led his team to a 20-7 overall record while he posted a 27-8 record on the mat. He earned a top-12 finish at the Powerade Tournament as a senior and wrapped up his career ranking 14th in school history in wins. He earned MAWA All-American accolades as a senior while also earning Pittsburgh Post Gazette Athlete of the Week honors. Harris will wrestle at 184-pounds for UB.
Stutzman on Harris: "Keagan is a very humbled and hardworking young man. With his work ethic on and off the mat we think he will develop nicely."
Ralph Maio – Great Kills, NY – Monsignor Farrell – Weight: 149
Maio comes to UB after four years, including one as captain, at Monsignor Farrell High School. The Great Kills, NY native won the Catholic State Championship as a senior and qualified for the State Tournament. As a senior, he led his team to a CHSAA State Championship while also wrestling on the New York team for pinning down Autism. He is projected to wrestle at 149-pounds for UB.
Stutzman on Maio: "Ralph is another guy that will add depth and competition to our room. He falls into a need weight for us. Knowing him and his high school coaches, we are confident that he is ready for the next step."
Justin Patrick – Ligonier, PA – Ligonier Valley HS – Weight: 125
Patrick makes his way to Buffalo from the premier wrestling state in the country, Pennsylvania. The Kiski Prep senior projects to wrestle at 125 pounds for the Bulls next season. Patrick is a four-time Pennsylvania State qualifier, two-time PIAA State place winner, two-time Pennsylvania Prep State Champion and two-time Prep National place winner. The six-time All-American finished off his career with a school record 162 wins in his high school career. Patrick will wrestle at 125-pounds for the Bulls next season.
Stutzman on Patrick: "Justin comes highly recommended from some of the best coaches in the country. Justin keeps getting better and the best part about Justin is that he wants to be here and wants to win championships."
Matthew Rose – Hasbrouck Heights, NJ – Hasbrouck Heights HS – Weight: 133
Rose comes to UB after a successful four-year career, including two as a captain, at Hasbrouck Heights high school in New Jersey. The projected 133-pounder was a two-time NJ State qualifier including during his senior campaign which saw him collect a 42-4 overall record. Led his team to a conference championship and a 14-9 record as a senior. Rose will wrestle at 133-pounds next season for UB.
Stutzman on Rose: "Matt is another guy from a strong wrestling state. Matt is ready for the challenge and is ready to take that next step. Having competed with the Apex Wrestling Club in NJ, this is another guy who understands commitment."
Nate Rose – Bronx, NY - Eagle Academy – Weight: 197
Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Rose came to the United States when he was twelve. He then went on to wrestle at The Eagle Academy for Young Men. He became the first two-time NY State Champion in PSAL history. With over 130 career wins, he is Eagle Academy's all-time wins leader. He was a NSCHA All-American and a Junior Freestyle All-American. Rose is projected to wrestle at 197-pounds next year for Buffalo.
Stutzman on Rose: "As a staff we are excited about Nate's Potential. Nate is very new to the sport of wrestling. Winning Two State Championships speaks volumes for his work ethic and dedication to the sport. We expect Nate to come in and compete for a starting position right away."
Austin Shaw – New Alexandria, PA – Greensburg-Salem – Weight: 141
Shaw comes to UB after four successful seasons at Greensburg-Salem High School in Greensburg, PA. During his senior season, Shaw compiled a record of 30-9 while entering the 100-win club for his career. Finished his career with a record of 114-55 while ranking second in program history in near fall points in a season (83) and recording 54 career pins. As a senior he led his team to its first State Tournament in school history. Shaw projects to wrestle at 141-pounds for the Bulls next season.
Stutzman on Shaw: "Austin is another guy that will add depth and competition to our room. He falls into a need weight for us. After watching him at Flo Nationals we like his competiveness and we look forward to him developing in our system."
Lucas Silvis – Holley, NY – Holley HS – Weight: 197
Silvis, the younger brother of current UB wrestler Mike Silvis, comes to Buffalo after four seasons at Holley High School. He finished off his career with an overall record of 112-27 while being named League All-Star twice.
Stutzman on Silvis: "Lucas is another guy that will add depth and competition to our room. He was a three-sport athlete at Holley and we are excited that he has joined our program"
Nolan Terrance – Akwesasne, NY – Massena Central HS – Weight: 285
Terrance comes to the Bulls after four seasons, including two as a captain, at Massena Central High School in New York. As a senior, Terrance collected the NYS Title at 285-pounds as he qualified for the State Tournament for the second time. He is also a four-time Section 10 Champion at 285-pounds while setting the school record for pins in a season and recording 100 wins over his career. Terrance projects to wrestle at 285-pounds for the Bulls next season.
Stutzman on Terrance: "Nolan is a tremendous worker who is a very competitive person. He is a very big and strong heavyweight and we look forward to him adding depth and competition to our room."
Thomas Wightman – Warwick, NY - Warwick Valley HS – Weight: 157
Wightman comes to UB after a career at Warwick Valley High School in New York. The projected 157-pounder was a State Tournament qualifier as a senior, earning a fourth place finish at the NYS Tournament. His older brother, Mitchell, was a 2014 NCAA Championship qualifier for Boston University.
Stutzman on Wightman: "Thomas is another guy that we have high expectations for. His brother is a past NCAA Qualifier so he knows what to expect. We expect him to compete right away."
The belief within the program is that with the strong core of young grapplers already within the program and the addition of these 11 student-athletes, the Bulls will be in contention in the Mid-American Conference and NCAA Tournament for years to come.
UB's 11-man recruiting class has already garnered national attention as it earned honorable mention for the top-20 recruiting classes in the country by Flow Wrestling.
