Spartans Add Pair of Transfers to 2019 Recruiting Class

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State wrestling head coach Roger Chandler announced Friday (June 28) that two student-athletes have committed to transfer in and wrestle for the Spartans as members of the 2019 recruiting class that already includes incoming freshman Jordan Crace (Bellefontaine HS) and Jordan Hamdan (Hudson HS).

Garrett Pepple (East Noble HS/Indiana) and Jake Spiess (Delta HS/Eastern Michigan) will join MSU in the Fall of 2019.

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Garrett Pepple
Kendalville, Ind. || Indiana University
133#
Quick Hit: Picked up 52 wins at Indiana over the course of three varsity seasons and one redshirt year before transferring to Michigan State.

A three-time finalist and 2015 IHSAA State Champion for head coach Keith Hoffar at East Noble High School, all at 113 lbs. … Won three NHC conference titles, three sectional championships, three regional championships, and two semi-state titles … Posted a 136-7 career record in high school … Set East Noble single-season records for falls (36), wins (46), and tournament points … His 96 career falls is an East Noble record … Helped the Knights to three sectional team titles and a regional championship … Three-time All-American at the Disney Duals … Earned two Cadet USAW Folkstyle All-American honors … USAW Junior All-American finishes in both folkstyle and freestyle … Fourth-place at Super 32 in 2014.

Pepple will work towards a Master's Degree in Sport Coaching and Leadership with an expected graduation date of Spring 2020.

Chandler on Pepple…
"Garret brings a vast amount of experience to our program and knows what it takes to be successful in the Big Ten. He's student of the sport and an exceptional achiever in the classroom. He'll give us stability at 133 this upcoming year and I know he will fit in with our team and what they want to accomplish. I am very much looking forward to being part of his final year of college wrestling."

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Jake Spiess
Delta, Ohio || Eastern Michigan University
133/141#
Quick Hit: Spiess arrives in East Lansing following the closure of the Eastern Michigan wrestling program following the 2017-18 season.

Did not compete in his lone year of eligibility at Eastern Michigan due to injury ... Redshirted in 2016-17 ... Amassed a 187-13 record at Delta High School as a four-time letterwinner...Was a three-time Division 3 State Champion, while taking third place his sophomore season ... Ranked as the ninth overall senior at 132 lbs. by Wrestling USA Magazine ... Was the NHSCA Senior National Champion at 132 lbs ... unior National Greco-Roman All-American and a FILA Cadet Greco-Roman National Champion & World Team Member.

Chandler on Spiess…
"Jacob is going to be a great addition to the program. Not only is he a great student, but he's great competitor. He had the unfortunate circumstance of Eastern Michigan dropping their program last year. There is no doubt he would have been one of the top guys in the country for them. With that said, we are excited to have him as a Spartan now and look forward to his future success."

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