Excited for the future! ?
— UB BULLS Wrestling (@UB_Wrestling) June 30, 2025
https://t.co/Wdi6gMsNby
BUFFALO, NY – Entering their second season at the helm of the University at Buffalo wrestling program, Donnie Vinson and his staff have compiled an impressive signing class ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. The 11-member class is comprised of four transfers and seven freshmen.
"We are thrilled to announce our inaugural recruiting class, which sets a strong foundation for our future success," Vinson said. "Our commitment to retaining the best talent from New York, along with exceptional athletes from neighboring states, has truly paid off. This class features multiple state champions access various states, significantly bolstering our core in the middle weights. Additionally, we have secured several standout recruits who are poised to surprise our fans. All our new recruits are embracing our team culture and together, we are building a bright future for the Bulls."
Here is the full list of signees.
Transfers
Matt Beem
Redshirt-Freshman
125/133
Pacific Junction, IA/Glenwood HS/Campbell
Transfer from Campbell where he spent one season… went 2-2 overall and finished fourth at the Southeast Open… a four-time state placer from Glenwood High School in Iowa… posted a runner-up finish in 2022… a two-time Fargo All-American… had a 117-16 overall record at Glenwood.
Connor Jacobs
Redshirt-Sophomore
197
Kittanning, PA/Armstrong HS/Clarion
Transfer from Clarion where he spent two seasons… posted an 18-26 record at 197… champion at the 2024 Purple Raider Open… placed third at the 2024 Bobby Kauffman Open and fourth at the 2025 Messiah Open… a graduate of Armstrong High School, had a 100-28 career record… was a two-time state placer (7th)… finished fifth at the 2022 Powerade Tournament.
Kelin Laffey
Redshirt-Sophomore
165
Valencia, PA/Pine-Richland HS/Pittsburgh
Transfer from Pittsburgh where he spent three seasons… had a 20-13 record with the Panthers, including runner-up finishes at the 2025 Edinboro Open and 2023 Clarion Open… had a 101-24 record at Pine-Richland High School where he was a PIAA state placer (sixth) in 2022 and finished third at the 2021 Powerade Tournament… he totaled 52 falls over his career… selected to represent Team WPIAL at the 2022 Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic.
Gianni Silvestri
Redshirt-Freshman
141
Owego, NY/Tioga HS/Clarion
Transfer from Clarion where he spent one season… started as a true freshman, going 7-7 in duals at 141… placed third at the Kent State Open… a two-time New York State Champion and four-time state placer at Tioga High School… posted a career record of 193-21… was the state champ at 118 lbs. in 2022 and 99 lbs. in 2020… a NHSCA Sophomore All-American in 2022 and a NHSCA Junior All-American in 2023.
Freshmen
Zachary Belverio
Freshman
125
Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson HS
New Jersey state place from Arthur L. Johnson High School… placed sixth at states in 2025… two-time District 13 champion… 2025 Region 4 champion… 2024 Union County champion… posted a 113-39 career record.
Patrick Grimsey
Freshman
149/157
Lowville, NY/Lowville Academy
Four-time Frontier League Champion from Lowville Academy in New York… won the state title in 2025 and was a four-time state placer… A three-time Section III Champion… posted a 148-14 career record.
Jordan Josyln
Freshman
141/149
Ashville, NY/Chautauqua Lake HS/New York Military Academy
New York State Champion who prepped at New York Military Academy… was the 2025 New England Prep champion and Most Outstanding Wrestler… a graduate of Chautauqua Lake High School where he was the 2023 NYS champion and Most Outstanding Wrestler… a two-time Section VI champion… was a NHSCA Junior All-American… posted a 208-21 career record.
Mason Ketcham
Freshman
149/157
Campbell Hill, NY/Washingtonville HS
2025 New York State Champion from Washingtonville High School… state runner-up in 2024… placed second at Eastern States in 2025 and third in 2024… was a NHSCA Freshman All-American… posted a 149-24 career record.
Max Nevlin
Freshman
165
Matawan, NJ/St. Peter's Prep
Two-time state placer from St. Peter's Prep in New Jersey… placed fourth in 2025 and fifth in 2024… a Fargo All-American in 2022… placed fourth at the 2022 Beast of the East… placed seventh at the 2025 Escape the Rock… posted a 125-42 career record.
Tyler Roark
Freshman
133/141
Fayetteville, WV/Woodrow Wilson HS
Three-time state champion from Woodrow Wilson High School in West Virginia… won the state title in 2023, 2024 and 2025… a NHSCA Senior All-American… an Academic All-American… finished seventh at the 2024 Powerade Tournament… posted a 207-18 career record.
Giorgio Valenzuela
Freshman
174/184
Glen Cove, NY/Glen Cove HS
Three-time All-County wrestler from Glen Cove High School in New York… was the 2025 Section VIII champion… placed eighth at the 2025 Eastern States… placed seventh at the 2025 State Championships… posted a 94-35 career record.