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Other highlights of the class include two-time New York State champs Ricky Scott (Walden, NY/Valley Central) and Danny Bishop (Whitehall, NY/Whitehall) and Junior College All-America transfer John Cummings (Bay Shore, NY/Bay Shore/Nassau Community College), along with four-time Section VI champ Andrew Stella (Tonawanda, NY/Sweet Home).

The entire group includes 18 student-athletes. Wrestling publication Intermat graded the class earlier this year with honorable mention status, though that came even before the additions of Needle and Cummings.

Coach Jim Beichner

“This is one of our deepest and best recruiting classes ever,” said UB head coach Jim Beichner. “There’s a lot of talent in this group. From blue collar to blue chip, we have just about every kind of kid you would want … a great combination.”

Needle posted a 240-12 mark during his high school career, including three unbeaten seasons. He attended Ohio State, redshirting his first year before going 9-7 last season.

Beichner expects Needle to compete at either 141 or 149 pounds.

“Coming out of high school we recruited him, but truthfully knew he was looking at the Big Ten and Big XII,” said Beichner. “In this case, I think that at this time in his career he feels like he needs a fresh start at a new place. And what better place is there to go than back home? His family and friends will be able to come see him wrestle. I feel like it’s going to be a very good fit.”

Scott, likely to wrestle at 174 or 184 pounds, is a two-time high school state champ. He won the 2005 large schools title at 171 pounds. In their season-ending high school rankings, both Intermat and Wrestling USA Magazine had Scott listed at fourth nationally in his weight class.

“We expect a lot from Ricky,” Beichner said. “We think that he’s got a very good work ethic and an excellent attitude. He’ll come in here and immediately add depth and intensity to our program.”

Bishop, also a two-time state champ, was named Most Outstanding Wrestler in the small schools state tournament last year. Wrestling USA Magazine tabbed him at 21st nationally at 112 pounds in its season-ending high school rankings.

“Danny is probably one of the more successful wrestlers here in New York over the past couple years,” said Beichner, who expects Bishop to wrestle at 125 pounds. “He has an outstanding record of success. With that kind of experience, we expect Danny to come in here and be very competitive. He’s going to develop into a fine wrestler.”

Cummings, a two-time JuCo All-American, lost to Needle in the state high school finals of his senior year. He will likely wrestle at 157 pounds for the Bulls, a weight class or two above Needle.

“John gives us a ton of experience and is a very good wrestler,” Beichner said. “We’re very excited to have him on the team. He is a great addition to the program.”

Stella, expected to battle for mat time at 125 pounds, fell in overtime of the quarterfinals of the state large schools tournament last year.

“I know to this point, we’ve been very pleased with Andrew’s offseason work ethic,” Beichner said. “He has the right attitude.”

Other recruits announced by Beichner included Derek Eamer (Watertown, NY/General Brown) and Lloyd Richardson at 125 pounds; a reigning New York State Catholic School champion, Tim Higgins (Mineola, NY/Chaminade), Josh Bryant (Cattaraugus, NY/Cattaraugus-Little Valley) and Louie Rubin (Ithaca, NY/Ithaca) at 133; Josh Taylor (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville East) at 141; a 2005 New York State place winner, Jason Hilliard (Genoa, NY/Southern Cayuga), at 149; additional middleweights Sam Herman (Rochester, NY/Byron-Bergen/West Virginia), Jeremy Sheffer (Colonie, NY/Colonie/Air Force Academy), Tyrell Riley (East Aurora, NY/Iroquois) and Randall Franklin (SUNY Brockport); and upperweights Ray Lamb (Galloway, NJ/Absegami/Drexel) and Aneal Ram (Brighton, NY/Brighton).

“It’s a good mix of youth and experience – with our transfers – to add to the core group we have returning,” Beichner said.

The Bulls, who finished 3-10 overall and 1-4 in the Mid-American Conference last season, will also be aided by the return of All-American Kyle Cerminara (Lewiston, NY/Lewiston-Porter), who redshirted last year.

Recruiting class breakdown by weight class

125
Danny Bishop (Whitehall, NY/Whitehall)
Andrew Stella (Tonawanda, NY/Sweet Home)
Derek Eamer (Watertown, NY/General Brown)
Lloyd Richardson

133
Josh Bryant (Cattaraugus, NY/Cattaraugus-Little Valley)
Tim Higgins (Mineola, NY/Chaminade)
Louie Rubin (Ithaca, NY/Ithaca)

141
Ryan Needle (Burt, NY/Newfane/Ohio State)
Josh Taylor (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville East)

149
Sam Herman (Rochester, NY/Byron-Bergen/West Virginia)
Jason Hilliard (Genoa, NY/Southern Cayuga)
Tyrell Riley (East Aurora, NY/Iroquois)
Randall Franklin (SUNY Brockport)

157
John Cummings (Bay Shore, NY/Bay Shore/Nassau Community College)
Jeremy Sheffer (Colonie, NY/Colonie/Air Force Academy)

174/184
Ricky Scott (Walden, NY/Valley Central)
Ray Lamb (Galloway, NJ/Absegami/Drexel)
Aneal Ram (Brighton, NY/Brighton)