Mizzou wrestling added a big-name piece to its future on Thursday, signing Everett Joyce of Wichita, Kansas, after he reclassified because of the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility rule.
Joyce was originally committed in the 2027 recruiting class, but the rule change moved his timeline up. Now he arrives in Columbia as one of the more decorated young wrestlers in the mix, and Missouri is getting him with plenty of momentum behind his name.
At Maize High School, Joyce has put together a 100-4 career record and won two Kansas state titles under head coach Tyler Gonzales. MatScout has him ranked 88th overall on the 2027 Big Board and eighth at 190 pounds, and his résumé includes wins over some serious competition.
Among those victories are 2025 Fargo Champion Lucas Ricketts, Keaton Moeller, a two-time Iowa State Champion, Marion Hutcherson, the No. 10 overall recruit in the 2028 class, and Eli Leonard, a Fargo and Super 32 All-American.
Joyce also just came off a 2026 Fargo All-American finish, taking sixth at 190 pounds. On the freestyle side, he’s a two-time state champion for Wichita Training Center under head coach Noel Torres.
On why he picked Missouri, Joyce said, “I chose Tiger Style because their values create champions on the mat, and champions in life.”
Coach Smith was equally direct about what the Tigers are getting. “Everett stands out with his eagerness to learn.
When you combine that mindset with his work ethic and natural ability, the ceiling becomes incredibly high. We are thrilled to welcome him to our program and excited to get to work.”
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