Iowa Men's Wrestling continues to add to the roster after the 2024-2025 season. By Iowa standards, the Hawkeyes had a down year. They finished third in the Big Ten behind Penn State and Nebraska, and only crowned one NCAA champion (Stephen Buchanan).
Before the 2025-2026 season, the Hawkeyes have made four additions through the transfer portal. Nasir Bailey (133 pounds), Jordan Williams (149 pounds), Dean Peterson (125 pounds), and Massoma Endene (197) joined Iowa during the offseason.
On Sunday, the Hawkeyes made another interesting signing.
Former Rutgers Coaches AA, OKST wrestler and Rider All-American Sammy Alvarez committed to Iowa out of the transfer portal, he announced on Instagram. @On3sports x #On3Wrestling pic.twitter.com/NhqWvCE8N4
— Nick Kosko (@nickkosko59) May 11, 2025
After spending last season with Rider University, New Jersey native Sammy Alvarez announced he committed to the Hawkeyes. Alvarez earned All-American status last season after finishing seventh at 149 pounds during the NCAA Tournament.
A big question surrounding Alvarez is his eligibility. He recently filed a waiver with the NCAA for another year of eligibility, his seventh collegiate season.
Alvarez began his career at Rutgers in 2019. He spent four seasons with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights before transferring to Oklahoma State in 2023. He spent less than a season in Stillwater, Oklahoma, before transferring to Rider for the 2024-2025 season.
Alvarez has missed a lot of time with injuries and hopes the NCAA committee will grant him a seventh year of eligibility.
There are also big questions surrounding where he would slot into the Iowa roster. Alvarez began his career at 133 pounds, but moved to 141, and now wrestles at 149 pounds. If he stays at 149 pounds, he would compete with fellow transfer Jordan Williams.
If he moved down to 141, he would compete with Nasir Bailey, who is expected to move to 141 pounds. Bailey does have a redshirt at his disposal and could use it to accommodate Alvarez.
His best option is bulking up and taking the starting spot at 157 pounds, currently occupied by Miguel Estrada. Estrada did not start for Iowa last season.
If Alvarez is granted another year of eligibility, he will provide experience and leadership to a Hawkeyes squad looking to get back on track.