COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Wrestling head coach Brian Smith has signed the nation's fourth-ranked recruiting class, adding seven talented grapplers to his program Wednesday (Nov. 13). Five of the seven signees rank in FloWrestling's top-100 high school wrestlers, including four in the top-50. Only Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech and Penn State signed better-rated classes, according to FloWrestling.
"Obviously we're excited about our class this year because not only are we signing great wrestlers, we are signing great young men who embody what Tiger Style is all about," Smith said. "Recruiting is obviously a big part of any program, and our staff did a great job developing personal relationships with each one of our signees, and that gave each wrestler a glimpse into what our program is all about. So many of our wrestlers cited our program's philosophy and ability to develop wrestlers into elite, world-class talents, and that speaks volumes to our process here. It also speaks volumes of the kids who we signed as they want to be a part of that process."
Joining Mizzou Wednesday are the following (national ranking is as of Sept. 2):
- No. 6 Keegan O'Toole – 165 Pounds – Hartland, Wis.
- No. 11 Rocky Elam – 197 Pounds – Kansas City, Mo.
- No. 45 Colton Hawks – 184 Pounds – Wentzville, Mo.
- No. 48 Josh Edmond – 141 Pounds – Detroit, Mich.
- No. 100 Trey Crawford – 133 Pounds - Kansas City, Mo.
- Ellis Pfleger – 157 Pounds - Grafton, Wis.
- Ethan Turner – 133 Pounds - Houston, Ohio
Keegan O'Toole – 165 Pounds – Hartland, Wisconsin – Arrowhead High School
- No. 6 recruit in the nation according to FloWrestling
- Earned the No. 1 High School Wrestler in America award at the 2019 Who's No. 1 tournament showcase
- High School Record of 110-5
- 2018 Fargo National Champion
- 2016, 2017, 2019 Fargo All American
- Three-time nominated wrestler of the year by the Journal Sentinel
- 2017 Classic 8 Conference Wrestler of the Year
- Division 1 state title each of his first three years at Arrowhead, winning the state title as a freshman, sophomore and junior with his senior season still ahead of him … Should he claim the title as a senior, he would be just the 18th wrestler in Wisconsin history to win four straight state titles at any class
- The Tiger's first commit from the Class of 2020.
- Won multiple Freestyle State championships and a few time Greco State championships.
- National champion in Folkstyle
- All-American and Freestyle All-American
- Placed 7th in the Freestyle Nationals
- Trained at former Tiger Ben Askren's Askren Wrestling Academy
- Competed for head coach Randy Ferrell at Arrowhead High School
- Member of the Arrowhead High School 2018 and 2019 Honor Rolls
Personal
- Son of Brian and Laura O'Toole
- Born May 9, 2001, in Hartland, Wisconsin
- Undecided on his major
- Has goals of becoming an Olympic and World Champion
Keegan on Choosing Tiger Style
"I chose Tiger Style because I felt how unique their philosophy is and I want to be different from everyone else."
Rocky Elam – 197 Pounds – Kansas City, Mo. – Staley High School
- Nation's No. 11 recruit according to FloWrestling while TrackWrestling had him rated as the nation's No. 10 pound-for-pound recruit
- Career high school record is 156-16
- 2018-19 State and District Champion
- 2019 Post-Season Nationals First Place (Club)
- 2019 UWW Cadet World Team Trials Third Place (Club)
- 2019 Junior Freestyle Nationals Fourth Place (Club)
- 2018 Super 32 3rd Place (Club)
- 2018 Cadet Freestyle Nationals First Place (Club)
- 2017-2018 Sate third place-finisher and District Champion
- 2017 Pre-Season Nationals First Place (Club)
- 2017 Cadet Freestyle Nationals Sixth Place (Club)
- 2016-2017 District Second place
- His team finished fourth place or better at the state championships every year while he's been on the team
- Wrestled for high school coach Elisha Bears
Personal
- Son of Bryan and Cherise Elam
- Born Jan. 2, 2002, in Kansas City, Mo.
- Plans to study agriculture while at Mizzou
- Has dreams of becoming a multiple time World and Olympic Champion, and plans to be a multiple-time NCAA Champion and All-American
- Brother, Zach, is a heavyweight with Mizzou who qualified for the NCAA Championships as a true freshman
- Great student who has a cumulative GPA of 3.6, including a perfect 4.0 GPA during the 2018-19 school year (second semester).
Rocky on Choosing Tiger Style
"I chose Tiger Style because it fits how I live my life. It's more than just working hard and smart inside the wrestling room. It's also applying the things you've learned about character from wrestling and being a great person in the outside world. It's expecting to win in every situation because I know I've prepared and set myself up to succeed. It's having so much passion and commitment for wrestling and showing it in training and competition. I know it's not just a part-time commitment. It's a lifestyle that I live and will always live, it's not just when I'm going to the University of Missouri."
Colton Hawks – 184 Pounds – Wentzville, Mo. – Wentzville Holt High School
- No. 45 recruit nationally by FloWrestling
- 3-time first team All-Conference (GAC)
- 3-time State Medalist
- 3-time GAC Conference Champion
- 2019 NHSCA Junior National Champion
- 2019 USAW Junior Greco Third Place
- 2018 Cadet Folkstyle National Champ (170)
- 2018 USAW Cadet Greco Fifth Place (182)
- 2018 USAW Cadet Freestyle Eighth Place (182)
- 2017 NHSCA Freshman National Runner Up (152)
- Competed for coaches Jason Moore and Andrew Hammond
Personal
- Son of Greg and Marcie Hawks
- Born June 12, 2002, in St. Peters, Mo.
- Plans to major in industrial engineering while at Mizzou
- Enjoys hunting and fishing when he's not wrestling or studying
- Lists earning his engineering degree and winning NCAA titles as his individual goals while at Mizzou
Colton on Choosing Tiger Style
"I chose Mizzou because I knew it was the best option from the start. They have had one of the top programs in the nation for a while now, and I know that Mizzou is where I can achieve my goals in wrestling, while earning the degree I want."
Josh Edmond – 141 Pounds – Detroit, Mich. – Detroit Catholic Central High School
- Nation's No. 48 pound-for-pound wrestler according to FloWrestling
- No. 1-ranked senior on Michigan Grappler's state big board
- OpenMat rates him as the nation's No. 28-ranked recruit at any weight class
- High School Record of 117-3
- Two-time State Champion
- Freestyle National Champion
- United World Wrestling Cadet Freestyle All America
- Super 32 All American
- Other national finishes include: seventh at the 2018 UWW Cadets, double All-American finish in Fargo in 2018 (4th/8th)
- Eighth at Super 32 in 2018
- Third at the 2017 USAW Folkstyle Nationals
- Wrestled for coach Mitch Hancock at Detroit Catholic Central
Personal
- Son of Anthony and Lisa Edmond
- Born April 10, 2002, in Detroit
- Undecided on his major at Mizzou
- Has aspirations of becoming a national champion and winning a team title at the NCAA Championships
Josh on Choosing Tiger Style
"I picked Tiger Style because it's the best place for me to build, not only as a wrestler but as a person. I'm excited for future."
Trey Crawford – 133 Pounds – Kansas City, Mo. – Park Hill High School
- Nation's No. 100 recruit according to FloWrestling
- High School Record of 84-12
- 2016 Fargo All American – Cadet Greco 5th
- 2017 Fargo All American – Cadet Freestyle 8th
- 2017 All State at 106 5th
- 2019 Fargo All American – Junior Freestyle 7th
- 2019 All State at 132 2nd
- 2017-2019 Academic All State
- Named USA Southern Plain Junior Greco Roman Regional Championship outstanding wrestler
- 2019 Super 32
- First Place at 2019 Southern Plain Greco Roman and Freestyle Championships
- First Place at 2019 Class 4 District 4 Finals at 132 pounds
- Wrestled for high school coach Jacob Beck
Personal
- Son of Robert and Valerie Crawford
- Born Oct. 4, 2001, in Kansas City, Mo.
- Father Robert was an All-American wrestler for Mizzou, finishing seventh at 118 pounds in 1990
- Mother Valerie ran track/cross country at Mizzou
- Plans to major in business at Mizzou
Trey on Choosing Tiger Style
"I chose Mizzou because it feels like home to me. I grew up around Mizzou Wrestling and always dreamed of putting on the black and gold for them one day."
Ellis Pfleger – 157 Pounds – Grafton, Wis. – Grafton High School
- A four-star recruit according to TrackWrestling
- Preseason Nationals Champion - 2018
- USAW Folkstyle Nationals All-American (Eighth Place) – 2019
- Third place at Central Regional Qualifier – 2019
- Three-time state qualifier and 1-time state placer (6th place) – 2017-2019
- Sixth- and fourth-place finishes at Freestyle State (Junior Division) 2018-2019
- 53-18 High School Record
- Trained at former Mizzou National Champion Ben Askren's club Askren Academy, alongside fellow signee Keegan O'Toole
- Wrestled for high school coach Mike Dodge
Personal
- Son of Eric and Tobey Pfleger
- Born Nov. 29, 2001, in Grafton, Wis.
- Tremendous student who plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mizzou
- 3.7 GPA and was in advanced placement courses in psychology, physics and language
- Full name is Samuel Ellis Pfleger but prefers Ellis
Ellis on Choosing Tiger Style
"I picked Mizzou for many reasons. The culture there is great with the team succeeding not only in the wrestling room, but in the classroom as well. Not to mention how much we give back to the community through volunteering and service."
Ethan Turner – 133/141 Pounds – Houston, Ohio – Troy Christian High School
- A three-star recruit by TrackWrestling
- High School Record of 115-12
- 2018 D3 First Place at OHSAA State Tournament
- 2019 D3 Second Place at OHSAA State Tournament
- 2017 D3 Third Place at OHSAA State Tournament
- GMVWA All Area Honors 2017-2019
- Iowa Preseason National placer (sixth)
- Indiana Hoosier Preseason Open (second)
Personal
- Son of Wes and Carrie Turner
- Born June 17, 2001, in Sidney, Ohio
- Plans to major in pre-chiropractic medicine and hopes to one day own a chiropractic practice
Ethan on Choosing Tiger Style
"I picked Mizzou because I know it offers the best route to success not only on the mat and in the classroom but into life as well."
For all the latest on Mizzou Wrestling, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on social media (@MizzouWrestling on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) for updates as well.