A rising junior at Blair Academy, Leo DeLuca is the #9 overall recruit in the class of 2025. A Fargo and National Preps champ, he is currently ranked #3 in the country at 120 lbs. We recently spoke to Deluca to get an inside look at his recruitment process and what’s next for him.

What stuck out to you about June 15th?

At 12:01 my phone immediately started ringing. I was like, “Who’s staying up for me?”. Then it was calls until 1:30. It was crazy for me. I was expecting maybe 3 or 4, and it was a really good turnout for me. I’m very grateful.

What have you learned over the past week about the recruiting process?

It has shown me that rankings are important, but college coaches don’t see them as others may perceive them. No coach mentioned them they were just like, “We really like your style, how you wrestle, and your attitude toward it.” That stuck out to me. Obviously, everyone wants to be number one, but as long as you keep improving, you’re good.

Do you have a list of the top schools you’re most interested in at this point?

No, it’s wide open for me. I’m going to take my visits and my time with everything. Just see what program can benefit from my presence and I can benefit from theirs.

With the new rules, you get unlimited official visits. Do you think you’ll take more than five?

I probably will. I mean, why not? If the opportunity’s there to see a place where you could be a great fit, why not experience that instead of staying at Blair on a weekend?

Do you have a timeline of when you would like to make a decision?

Whenever it feels right. Whenever I find a place that I can benefit from and they can benefit from me. I need that mutual aspect of it. Once I find that, I think I’ll know. Probably before my senior season or midway through the season. 

What are some of the biggest factors going into your college decision?

At Blair, something I really like is the aspect of culture and team. That’s something I enjoy. I also want to go into finance when I’m older, so that’s something I’ll have to consider. And like I said earlier, a place I can benefit from and they can benefit from me. That mutual aspect to where everyone on the team wants the same thing. When everyone wants the same thing, it makes everyone want it that much more. That’s something I’m looking for.

How is NIL playing into your decision?

It hasn’t come up for me yet, but it’s obviously something that would influence my decision. I also have to think about life after wrestling. In a way where I can keep working towards what I’m working towards and if someone wants to throw me a few bucks while I’m working towards that, it’s a win-win. You’re graduating college with no debt and on top of that you’re getting paid? You can’t beat that. I’m really fortunate to be in the time I’m in. I know there are people from different eras who would kill to have NIL money. 

What’s on the horizon for you?

I’m going to Fargo. Last year wasn’t so good for me, but I’m looking forward to going back out there and tearing it up. Training is going well. I feel like the hard part’s over for me. I’ve got one more week of going hard and then I’m going to taper off until Fargo and show what I’ve got to offer.