Got to agree with Beeson. We are ranking kids on dominance, but yet allow kids that "red shirt" to be in the same conversation. Great wrestlers no doubt, but it's a clear advantage to mature and refine yours skills another year.
I guess I'll ask...any of these top ten ever get held back or start kindergarten late? I'm not saying they didn't get some advantage from the year in NM, but both being 40ish and 0 their freshman year isn't just from that one year. You would think a senior with their extra age and experience could have knocked them off. Caldwell pinned 36, I believe, as a freshman. This included a VERY good, older Paul Hansen.
I won't argue with any list if it's about HS careers, but if you're going to say a best ever in Kansas they better have some AA status in college (or beyond).
Here is my argument on just one year difference. I was an ok wrestler and went 12-14 my freshman year. My sophomore year I went 26-3-1 losing to an Oklahoma State Champion at Perry, and two Kansas State Placers(both of whom I beat later in the year) and won a State Title. My Junior year I was a State Champion and went 27-1 losing to Mike Klinglesmith, Freestyle National Champion from Midwest City Oklahoma. My Senior year I was a State Champion and went 28-1 losing to 2x undefeated State Champion Jonny McCreary from Wellington. My point is had I redshirted, I would have had a pretty impressive career and more than likely been a 4x State Champion with a total of 5 losses instead of losing 19. One year makes a huge difference. If it didn't I doubt they would have redshirted.
