LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Wrestling has announced the addition of 19 newcomers for the upcoming season.
 
"I'm really excited and encouraged about this incoming class," says VMI Wrestling Head Coach Jim Gibson. "The size of this group will add some great depth to the team, and I fully expect some of these guys to be competing for starting spots right away. They bring a long list of wrestling credentials to Lexington, high-level academic achievements, and a passion for VMI. Not only will they be great additions to the VMI wrestling program, but to the Corps of Cadets as a whole."
 
Andrew Barford | Heath, Ohio | 184 Ibs
Barford, a four-time state qualifier, joins the Keydets after wrestling at Saint Francis DeSales in Columbus, Ohio. Last year's state runner-up was named a two-time freestyle and Greco state qualifier, a Greco state placer, and an NHSCA All-American. Barford led the Stallion Pride to four top-five team finishes in the OHSAA state tournament, including a second-place finish in 2025. Along with his standout athletic performances, Barford is a three-time Academic All-Ohio selection.
 
Adam Bilby | Derby, Kansas | 133 Ibs
A product of Rose Hill High School, Bilby is one of the most decorated wrestlers from Kansas, earning four top-five marks in the KHSAA 4A state tournament, including three third-place finishes and one fifth-place title. Bilby led the Tigers to back-to-back wrestling state championships in 2024 and 2025. In 2023, the 125-pounder produced a USAWKS Triple Crown title run and, in 2024, would go on and earn a 6-1 record at the AFSW Junior National Duals.
 
JT Bowers | Dublin, Georgia | 165 Ibs
Bowers represents West Laurens High School as a four-time regional champion and a three-time GHSA state champion, wrestling in four different weight classes each season. In his career, Bowers has produced 158 pins, 426 takedowns, and a whopping 223 victories. He collected 71 wins and 431.5 team points last season for the Raiders.
 
Elijah Castellanos | Colonial Beach, Virginia | 125 Ibs
Castellanos is a Westmoreland High School product, wrestling all four years with the Eagles. He was named Most Valuable Wrestler and Wrestler of the Year for WHS, along with academic honor roll recognition.
 
Noah Daily | Amherst, New Hampshire | 165 Ibs
A Souhegan High School alumnus and four-sport athlete, Daily produced a second-place finish at the state championship. He also earned third in the Massachusetts Freestyle State Tournament, sixth place at the Concord Capital City Classic, fourth place at the Souhegan Tournament, and was a two-time Londonderry Holiday finalist. In 2025, Dailey led the Sabers to a dual-meet championship.
 
Dane Doucette | Gainesville, Virginia | 149 Ibs
Doucette comes to VMI with four years of wrestling experience from Gainesville High School. Doucette was given the Cardinal Award for Best Student Athlete at GHS, along with being tabbed Wrestler of the Year. He is the son of Jason Doucette, VMI Class of 1998.
 
Johnny Ehrenberger | Raleigh, North Carolina | 141 Ibs
Ehrenberger spent three seasons wrestling at Cardinal Gibbons High School. He helped the Crusaders to the state dual tournament.
 
Gideon Gerber | Oakdale, California | 174 Ibs
Gerber is an Oakdale High School product, bringing four years of wrestling experience to VMI. Gerber picked up NHSCA All-American honors twice and was a Reno Toc and CIT Invitational runner-up. Gerber lifted the Mustangs to a DI sectional championship and a Masters championship in 2023. He went 43-10 in his senior campaign.
 
Christian Leonard | Poquoson, Virginia | 165 Ibs
A three-sport athlete out of Poquoson High School, Leonard helped the Islanders to four 2A regional championships and a 2025 2A state title in wrestling. Leonard also lifted PHS to a state crown in baseball in 2024 and three regional championships in football.
 
Beau Lewis | Suffolk, Virginia | 157 Ibs
Lewis joins his brother, Braxton, as a member of the Keydets after wrestling for four seasons at Great Bridge High School. Lewis is a two-time state champion and a two-time National All-American. In his high school career, Lewis collected a 157-17 record and led the Wildcats to two state championships.
 
Robert Magana | Douglasville, Georgia | 125 Ibs
Magana comes to VMI after wrestling at Chapel Hill High School for four years. Magana was a four-time regional and county champion, qualifying for the state tournament in all four years. The three-time state placer claimed second place in the 2025 6A GHSAA state tournament after earning the state title in 2024.
 
Myles McCarthy | Warrenton, Virginia | 133 Ibs
A Kettle Run High School product, McCarthy served as a four-year starter and a 2025 state qualifier. McCarthy was also a member of the Ranger Wrestling Club.
 
Malachi Ortiz | Tampa, Florida | 125 Ibs
Ortiz comes out of Jesuit High School, spending two seasons with the Tigers. Ortiz was crowned Florida state champion in 2024 and was a runner-up in 2025. The three-time varsity letter holder led the Tigers to a 2024 state dual and team championship before piloting JHS to a 2025 state dual title and a team runner-up finish.
 
Hayato Otero | Virginia Beach, Virginia | 125 Ibs
Otero joins the Keydets after graduating from Landstown High School. The four-year wrestler was crowned a regional and state champion in 2025 and was a state placer in all four seasons. His brother, Yuta, is a wrestler of SoCon rival Chattanooga with his father, Jorge, a Moc alumnus.
 
Caleb Patterson | Chesapeake, Virginia | 197 Ibs
A four-sport athlete from Tallwood High School, Patterson dons four state qualifying marks and two state placements. Patterson eclipsed 100 varsity wins on the mat, earning him the Coaches Award. Outside of wrestling, Patterson was a two-time lacrosse MVP.
 
Eric Santiago | Rustburg, Virginia | 141 Ibs
Santiago was a six-time varsity letterman at Rustburg High School. Santiago was named Most Improved Wrestler and Soccer Player at RHS and helped the Red Devils claim a wrestling regional title.
 
Declan Strait | Parker, Colorado | 133 Ibs
A product of Chaparral High School, Strait joins the Keydets as one of the most decorated Colorado wrestlers. The four-time state placer claimed a regional and state title as a freshman in 2022, winning the State Match of the Year, and helping CHS earn 10th place in team play. Strait would go on to place in the top three in all three regionals, followed by a fourth and fifth-place mark in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Strait capped off his high school career with a second-place finish in the state tournament.
 
Stephen Underwood | Vinton, Virginia | 174 Ibs
Underwood brings in four years of high school varsity experience, placing once at the state tournament while qualifying three times. The William Byrd High School product was a three-time regional placer and a regional finalist. In tournament play, Underwood was crowned champion in the Big Orange and Blue Ridge District tournaments.
 
Cole Will | Eagan, Minnesota | HWT
An eight-time letterwinner, Will comes to VMI as the reigning MSHSL AAA state champion at heavyweight, representing Eagan High School. Will is a two-time section champion and a three-time state qualifier. In 2024, Will was tabbed as freestyle runner-up. Will also secured a spot on the national team duals in 2024 and 2025. Will piloted the Wildcats to a sixth-place mark in the state tournament. Outside of wrestling, Will played a vital role in the trenches, earning three All-Conference nods and the 2025 Conference Lineman of the Year in football. In the classroom, Will was dubbed a seven-time Academic All-Conference winner and was the Academic All-State runner-up.