EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – For the third season in a row, SIUE wrestling has recruited some of the nation's top 200 talent.

This year's signees include Donavon Allen (Calumet City, Illinois), Landen Johnson (Masillion, Ohio), Caleb Neal (Great Bridge, Virginia), Gage Murphy (Reading, Ohio) and Myron Mendez (Miami, Florida).

"This is another smaller class but very high quality in our upper weights where we had some needs and one lightweight where we kept an Illinois wrestler home," said SIUE Associate Head Coach Daryl Thomas. "All five fit the type of people we want in our program and look forward to what they can add to our program."

Below are some quick facts on each Cougar newcomer.

Donavon Allen (141)
-- Illinois Class 3A Championships - 3rd Place 
-- Ranked No. 23 at 138 pounds by Mat Scouts 
-- No. 189 Overall in Class of 2025 
-- Chose SIUE Over: Central Michigan, Purdue, Bellarmine

Landen Johnson (165/174)
-- Ohio Division I State Runner-up 2024 
-- No. 232 Overall in class of 2025 
-- Choose SIUE Over: Northern Illinois, Cleveland State, Kent State 

Caleb Neal (174/184)
-- Three-time Virginia state champion
-- Ranked #11 at 165 pounds by Flowrestling 
-- Ranked #145 Overall in class of 2025 
-- Choose SIUE Over: Virginia Tech, VMI, Lock Haven, George Mason

Gage Murphy (174/184)
-- Two-time Ohio Division 2 state placewinner 
-- Currently Ranked No. 1 in Ohio at 165 pounds
-- Brother of Assistant Coach Austin Murphy and Freshman PJ Murphy. 
-- Choose SIUE Over: SIUE was home

Myron Mendez (197)
-- Preseason National Champion 2024 
-- Grappler Fall Classic placewinner 
-- Currently ranked No. 1 in Florida
-- Chose SIUE Over: George Mason