Virginia Tech Wrestling landed a major transfer addition today as Lehigh’s standout 133 wrestler transfer Connor McGonagle announced he is joining the Hokies.
Lehigh's Connor McGonagle has announced he is transferring to Virginia Tech. pic.twitter.com/yxWQC46cVs
— Justin Basch (@JustinJBasch) April 15, 2024
McGonagle has one year of eligibility remaining after spending the past five years at Lehigh. He is the second major transfer pickup for the Hokies after Tech landed Columbia All-American Lennox Wolak to take over the 174 starting job from Mekhi Lewis following the completion of Lewis’ legendary career this year.
McGonagle is expected to be Tech’s starter at 133 with Sam Latona sliding up to 141 and Tom Crook redshirting per source.
McGonagle is a big addition for the Hokies as he was a top 5 wrestler at 133 for most of the 2022-23 season before suffering an injury that kept him out of NCAAs. Freshman phenom Ryan Crookham won a wrestle-off in sudden victory over McGonagle to take his starting job this year with Crookham going on to finish 3rd at NCAAs.
Despite that, McGonagle reminded people why he remains one of the better 133s in the country with a limited season that included a victory over Sam Latona in the NWCA exhibition event back in late November.
Landing McGonagle is a major transfer portal victory for the Hokies and creates another loaded lineup at the lower weights starting with a healthy Eddie Ventresca at 125, McGonagle at 133, Latona moving up to a more comfortable weight at 141, and national champion Caleb Henson at 149. The addition of McGonagle also allows the Hokies to redshirt Crook after being unable to do so this past season as they had hoped to.
