The wrestling transfer portal has yet again shifted under the weight of three huge commitments, this time from NC’s Daniel Zepeda, Wisconsin’s Nicolar Rivera, Oklahoma’s Rin Sakamoto, and Rutgers’ Ayden Smith, who have all found new homes. This comes amid the transfer portal’s heavy influence surrounding collegiate sports, indicating the fluid nature of reshaping rosters.
This season has already gone through several sightings of blue-chip prospects entering and exiting the portal in a flash, highlighting how important it has become for game changers to use the platform to reset their winning trajectories.
Leading the charge in portal commitments this time is NC State’s Daniel Zepeda, who has officially committed to Michigan, ranking 8th overall. Zepeda will be part of the Wolverines’ elite lineup with four years of eligibility.
Next is the Iowa Cyclones’ entry, with their consistent, aggressive market run, who have yet again bagged two major additions from Wisconsin and Oklahoma. Coming in at 125 lbs, Ayden Smith has been a major athlete from Rutgers and qualified for the Nationals after a dominant Big Ten performance. His arrival is marked with three years of eligibility remaining.
Oklahoma’s Rin Sakamoto has also joined the Cyclones, bringing along his international exposure of having represented Japan at the 2025 World Championships.
Nicola Rivera, a prominent D1 wrestler and 2x national qualifier, with one year of eligibility remaining, has committed to Maryland and will join the Terrapins locker room.
Daniel Zepeda Hints at Competing at an RAF Event
Daniel Zepada has been a standout prospect for many elite wrestling programs, and hailing from California, he has long been known for his aggressive mat prowess. The three-time state champion recently sparked excitement when he was asked if he would ever consider wrestling at a Real American Freestyle event. Zepeda showed optimism and serious consideration for the future.
“I would do but not right now, but that would be fun cuz I really like their rules and everything they do, like that’s really sick,” he said (13:16).
He had hinted at staying away from shows due to a temporary injury, but further highlighted his love for competing in outside collegiate endeavors that could further broaden his battle-tested resume.
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