Taylor Uses Southern Scuffle as Development Opportunity — OSU backups gain valuable experience in Chattanooga
Ramirez's status solidified at 133 as Figueroa struggles; McComas, Sheets show potential for future
David Taylor’s goal wasn’t for Oklahoma State to win the Southern Scuffle.
But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In late November, Taylor, the Cowboys’ second-year coach, registered his team for the Cougar Class at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville a week in advance. His goal, he said, was prospect development and generating reps for depth pieces within the roster. OSU didn’t log a top-five finish, but various wrestlers garnered live reps for the first time, which Taylor retrospectively said he deemed “vital.”
That was no different this weekend. Taylor took six wrestlers — all backups — to compete in the Scuffle, which took place from Jan. 3-4 at the University of Chattanooga. First-place Penn State cleared all opponents with 143.5 points, and the Cowboys didn’t even finish inside the top 10.
But again, that isn’t, nor should be, a cause for concern.
Backups gained experience and had the opportunity to showcase their abilities. And perhaps most importantly, Taylor had time to analyze various prospects and ascertain their fit in OSU’s lineup as the bulk of the Cowboys’ season nears.
Here are three takeaways from OSU’s weekend at the Scuffle.
Figueroa falters in second round of 133 bracket, cements Ramirez as OSU’s starter
If freshman Ronnie Ramirez wasn’t the clear-cut starter for the Cowboys at 133 beforehand, he should be now.
Richard Figueroa, OSU’s starter to begin the season, traveled with Taylor to the Scuffle as the No. 12 seed in his weight bracket. After earning a first-round bye, Figueroa cruised to a 16-6 major decision against Michigan State’s Andy Hampton in the second round, but reached a standstill shortly after. In the Round of 16, fifth-seeded Evan Moungalian of Penn — ranked 16th nationally in InterMat’s latest individual rankings — bullied Figueroa to a 22-9 major decision defeat. And only one match later, Figueroa’s weekend was cut short due to a medical forfeit.
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One of the biggest anomalies for the Cowboys this season has been Figueroa’s letdown after garnering immense preseason hype. He transferred to OSU after a 51-9 career record with Arizona State, which included an individual national championship at 125 from the 2023-24 season. He started the season ranked inside the top 10, slowly dropping and eventually being benched in favor of Ramirez.
Whether it be an undisclosed injury hindering his abilities or the fatigue of jumping up a weight class, Taylor made a team-first move opting for Ramirez. So far, Ramirez dons a 6-3 record with multiple ranked wins and a No. 25 individual ranking. And nearly halfway through the season, Ramirez has proven Taylor’s decision to be the right one. The Scuffle might be sure-fire evidence as to why.
McComas shows upside at 141
Among the more settled weights in OSU’s lineup is 141 with No. 2 Sergio Vega.
Still, redshirt-freshman JJ McComas impressed over the weekend. In the second round, McComas took seventh-seeded Dario Lemus of Maryland — ranked No. 32 nationally according to InterMat — to the finish, losing via a 9-7 decision on a last takedown. McComas wrestled his way to the consolation Round of 8, eventually falling to Army’s Conor Collins in a 10-0 major decision, that appeared more decisive than it was due to bonus points.
It’s unlikely McComas earns an opportunity this season. But him doing so in the future might be something to watch for.
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Sheets competitive at 149 bracket despite early exit
OSU redshirt-junior Cutter Sheets remained within striking distance of Penn State’s Connor Pierce for most of the match.
Until the final period. The third-seeded Pierce benefitted from a few late takedowns, clawing his way to a 14-3 major decision against Sheets.
Sheets wrestled his way to the consolation Round of 8, where he fell via a 11-7 decision to Navy’s Kaemen Smith.
Sheets is one of OSU’s few backup wrestlers with starting experience. And while his results at the Scuffle might not have indicated it, he proved to be a viable depth asset for the Cowboys at 149.
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