LARAMIE, Wyoming (2/26/26) – The NCAA released its third and final Coaches' Ranking, its second RPI and conference allocations on Thursday. Five Cowboys found themselves ranked, three in the top eight.

The Big 12 received 63 allocations. Eight NCAA automatic bids will be up for grabs at 133, 184 and 197 pounds. Seven will be available at 141 and 174 pounds. Six spots are out there for HWT, while five are allocated to 125, 149 and 157 and four going to 165.

When looking at the NCAA Coaches' Ranking and RPI, Joey Novak (197) led the way. He's No. 3 in the Coaches' Ranking and No. 2 in the RPI. Again, there's eight bids at stake in Tulsa, Oklahoma, next week at Novak's weight.

Christian Carroll (HWT) checked in at No. 7 in the Coaches' Ranking and No. 9 in the RPI. There are six auto bids for the taking at heavyweight at the Big 12 Tournament.

Eddie Neitenbach (184) rounds out the top-eight Pokes. He's No. 8 in the ranking and No. 7 in the RPI. The Big 12 was allocated eight spots at 184.

Luke Willochell (133) is No. 22 in the Coaches' Ranking and No. 18 in the RPI. Eight automatic bids are on the line at 133 at the Big 12s.

Finally, Gabe Willochell (149) holds down the No. 29 Coaches' Ranking and is No. 26 in the RPI. The league was given five allocations at 149 pounds.

The Big 10 led the way with 87 allocations. The Big 12 was second at 63 – up from 59 last year – and the ACC rounded out the top three with 39 allocations.

In addition to the automatic bids, additional at-large spots are available. Each of the 10 weights has either four or five at-large spots available for wrestlers who fail to earn an automatic bid.

The Big 12 releases its brackets on Monday. The tournament runs from March 6-7 inside the BOK Center.