Former Rutgers Wrestlers Find New Teams
125 pounder Ayden Smith labds at Iowa State, while 157 pounder Max Hermes lands at Ohio
125: 28/28 Ayden Smith (R) d. 10/8 Jore Volk 7-2. Rutgers Wrestling vs Minnesota in Piscataway N.
J. on February 6, 2026. | Peter Ackerman/Asbury Park Press / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Two former Rutgers wrestlers who entered the transfer portal at the end of last season have already found new teams.
Former Rutgers 125-pounder Ayden Smith, who was a starter for Rutgers this past season, is now an Iowa State Cyclone, and Max Hermes, a junior who wrestled in a reserve role for the 157-pounders, has committed to wrestle for Ohio. Smith decided to enter the transfer portal after the season. Quincidentally, Rutgers also received a major commitment at the 125-pounder spot during the season from four-time state champion Anthony Knox.
Some believe that it was Knox’s commitment that pushed Smith into looking for another team. According to Bill Evans of Nj. com, “Knox is arguably Rutgers’ biggest recruit since Nick Suriano transferred from Penn State in 2017.