Former South Dakota State heavyweight wrestler J.J. Everard has announced that he will be transferring to the University of Northern Iowa for the 2015-16 season. Everard compiled a 20-14 record for the Jackrabbits this past season and was the automatic qualifier out of the WWC. He went 3-0 against Jordan Karst (Utah Valley), Tanner Harms (Wyoming), and Evan Knutson (North Dakota State) to capture the WWC title.

“The situation was perfect for me.” Everard said in an interview with us, “I wanted to redshirt before my senior year, so with Blaize (Cabell) already in the room I do get to redshirt. I get to train with (Blaize) and he’s one of the best heavyweights in the nation. I stopped in and talked to the guys and it was perfect. All the guys were really welcoming.”

Everard also noted that academics played a role in his decision as well: “It’s perfect academically too. UNI is a great teaching school and that’s what I want to do. Like I said it was perfect.”

With Cabell a senior and one of the top returning wrestlers at his weight for the coming season, Everard’s available redshirt will mesh perfectly with UN’s lineup construction, as Schwab doesn’t have a true heavyweight to back up Cabell on the roster after he graduates. The addition on Everard solves that issue.