Top Prospect Harvey Ludington Joins Iowa Wrestling’s Powerhouse Roster

Iowa Wrestling just scored a heavyweight win of its own by landing a commitment from Harvey Ludington, the nation’s top-ranked 190-pound wrestler. The Hawkeyes’ already stacked lineup of future upperweights just got a major boost, and fans are buzzing.

Ludington, who had initially committed to Arizona State in August 2023, decided to re-open his recruitment and explore other options. After considering powerhouse programs like North Carolina, NC State, and Oklahoma, he made his choice clear: it’s Hawkeye time. For the record, he was the final uncommitted top-30 prospect on the 2025 Big Board, making his decision all the more anticipated.

The New Jersey native brings plenty of accolades to Iowa City. A two-time state champion, Ludington first claimed the top spot in New Jersey as a freshman at 175 pounds. He repeated the feat as a junior and cemented his dominance by steamrolling his way through the Junior freestyle bracket in Fargo this past summer. With moves like his, it’s no wonder he’s ranked #14 on the 2025 Big Board.

Ludington also brings some Jersey flavor to the Hawkeyes’ 2025 recruiting class. He joins fellow blue-chip recruit Leo Deluca of Blair Academy, who holds the #8 spot on the Big Board. Iowa’s ability to attract top-tier talent from wrestling-rich states like New Jersey is nothing new, but this class is shaping up to be something special.

What’s next for Ludington at Iowa? Expect him to bolster an already fearsome group of upperweights. He’ll be joining forces with former top recruits like Gabe Arnold, Angelo Ferrari, and Ben Kueter. Together, they’re primed to build a lineup that no team will want to face.

With Ludington on board, the Hawkeyes continue to cement their status as a wrestling dynasty. As for Ludington, he’s about to trade in Jersey bagels for Iowa cornfields—and, by the looks of it, a few championship rings along the way.