There is plenty of buzz surrounding Virginia Tech Wrestling after the Hokies landed two of the best high school recruits in recent memory for future seasons in Bo Bassett (#2 overall in 2026) and Melvin Miller (#1 overall in 2027). With a talented, young lineup plus Bassett coming, VT sees the 2026-27 season as a major opportunity to make a run at a top 3-5 in NCAAs at worst with a definite chance to push Penn State to win a national title.
That led to some major news that 2024 national champion Caleb Henson will use his redshirt this season so that he can return to headline the 2026-27 lineup in pursuit of a team national title. Despite Henson redshirting, the Hokies still have a very solid, young lineup that may show why VT has decided to go all-in on 2026-27 and redshirt Henson this year.
So let's dive into our 2025-26 VT Wrestling Lineup preview and who I project to start at each weight class.
125: Eddie Ventresca
Let's start with Eddie Ventresca who will be the main star of this lineup with Henson redshirting.
The two-time All-American will have national title ambitions at a weight class that feels fairly wide open among the top guys like Ventresca, NC State's defending national champion Vincent Robinson, Oklahoma State' Troy Spratley and Penn State's Luke Lilledahl. Ventresca went 2-0 versus Robinson last year including to win his first ACC title but was 0-3 against Spratley and Lilledahl last season, losing to both in extra time during the NCAAs last season.
Ventresca starts the season ranked #4 by Intermat but can easily beat Robinson again and not only claim another ACC title but also win a national title. Ventresca will be crucial to Tech's hopes of a top 10 finish at the NCAAs this year with Henson redshirting. That likely requires Ventresca to have a top four finish at worst to have those chances.
With Caleb Henson redshirting, Ventresca starts the season as the Hokies' biggest star and best chance to win an individual national title this season.
