Bo Bassett is a monster pickup for the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Bishop McCort standout from Pennsylvania is Flowrestling’s top-rated recruit in the 2026 class—and for good reason. He’s a U17 World champ, a U20 World bronze medalist, and a three-time winner of the Ironman, Powerade, and Super 32. Simply put, he’s a machine on the mat. And his recruitment? Wild. Nearly 80 programs were in the mix before he finally chose Iowa. However, many heads were turned when Iowa received disappointing news.

On Sunday evening, the top-tier talent dropped a bombshell—he’s decommitting from Iowa. The #2 overall prospect in the 2026 class had committed in February, choosing the Hawkeyes over heavyweights like PSU, Oklahoma State, and Virginia Tech. His decision lit up the fanbase. Just weeks later, Iowa supporters packed the Flowrestling Night in America event to meet their future star. And now? All that hype hits pause. The mat monster is back on the market—and the race is wide open again.

On June 22, the superstar recruit officially announced his decommitment from Iowa — and it wasn’t just a casual move. In his statement, Bassett wrote, “After a lot of prayer and talking with my family, I’ve decided to decommit from the University of Iowa. This wasn’t easy, but I believe it’s not the right fit for me as a wrestler, a person, or for my faith journey. I’m grateful for the opportunity, and I’ll never speak a bad word about their program. This is about finding the place God wants me to be. This is a huge decision in my life and it has to be the right one.” Respectful. Honest. And grounded. So, Bassett’s decision wasn’t about drama — it was about direction. And now, his next chapter has officially begun.

But after making his decision public, Bo Bassett followed up with a message full of class. “I would like to thank all of the Iowa fans who have supported me. You have been amazing and I am grateful for the support you showed me. I have opened up my recruitment.” With that, the floodgates reopened. Bassett was a top-tier recruit before — and nothing’s changed. He’s still one of the hottest names on the board. Expect Oklahoma State to make a strong push. Penn State, the hometown favorite, will be right back in the hunt. And you can bet more powerhouses are dialing in.

However, when Bo Bassett first committed to Iowa, he did it with heart and high hopes. On a live stream, he proudly said, “Maybe it wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right decision. You get what you earn, so I’m excited to be a Hawk.” He embraced the tradition, the fans, and the challenge ahead, stating, “I know I’m from Pennsylvania, but I’m excited to feel that Iowa love. I know if you’re from Iowa, you know Iowa wrestling. Pretty excited to come out in Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the first time and hopefully create a legacy that lasts forever.” At that moment, Bassett wasn’t just joining a program—he was dreaming big. Legacy, loyalty, and the roar of Carver were all part of the vision.

But now, the script has flipped. Bo Bassett’s perspective has shifted—and that dream legacy at Iowa looks like it’ll be written somewhere else. His younger brother, 2027 star Melvin Miller, just listed PSU in his top 9. On top of it, his high school teammate, Jax Forrest, is already locked in with David Taylor at Oklahoma State. Now, where Bo lands next isn’t the real shock—it’s the exit from Iowa that has fans divided. Some understand the journey. Others feel the sting. Because for a program that poured in early love and support, the decommitment didn’t sit well with everyone. So…….

Fans had mixed emotions about Bo Bassett’s decision

Bo Bassett’s decommitment didn’t just shake up Iowa’s recruiting class—it stung. The 2026 haul was shaping up to be something special, with Bassett not only as a top-tier talent but as the face of momentum. Now, that wave has hit a wall. And some fans didn’t hold back. One frustrated supporter wrote, “One more reason that HS kids shouldn’t be committing prior to the first day of their senior year. It’s a really big decision that simply does not need to be made that early. We can’t keep going on and on about their frontal lobe not being developed enough to make competent decisions as teenagers, and then be like, ‘Sure, commit to a school when you’re a sophomore.’ When this happens, companies like Rudis and whomever they have signed NIL deals with should be allowed to sue for breach of contract.”

So, the message? Fans aren’t just disappointed—they’re questioning the entire process. Because Bo Bassett’s exit from Iowa didn’t just rattle the program—it left some fans genuinely disappointed. For many, it wasn’t just about the decision. It was about the journey that led there. And one fan voiced that frustration, saying, “Love watching you wrestle and how you have helped grow the sport of wrestling. However this is a bad look. You spent months working the media ‘narrowing down choices.’ You spent a lot of prayer and discussions with everyone in your life while doing so. Yet here you are in this situation. We all already know how people are losing interest in the sport because of commitments changing after a public announcement and transfers. No one can ever make a choice and live with it. It’s hurting the sport and can potentially hurt your ‘brand’. So be careful. I wish you luck in what you do. But next time let’s make a decision that sticks lol.”

It’s clear—the emotional investment was real. And when it fell apart, not everyone was ready to just move on. The backlash kept rolling in as more fans voiced their frustration over Bassett’s sudden flip. And one fan didn’t hold back, stating, “Then don’t make a huge deal about your commitment if you’re just going to change it. Wait till you’re ready not this crap kids shouldn’t be allowed to commit till their senior year.” It’s the kind of reaction that shows just how deep the disappointment runs.

But not every fan is throwing shade—some are standing firmly in Bo Bassett’s corner. While the backlash was loud, the support was just as real. One fan offered a fresh perspective, saying, “He needs to make the right decision for his life. I’m impressed with his maturity and bravery to change his mind for the betterment of himself.” It’s a reminder that for some, this wasn’t about loyalty to a logo—it was about a young athlete finding the right path. And that kind of growth? It’s worth applauding.

Last but not least, another fan chimed in with a thoughtful take, recognizing both the disappointment and the bigger picture. The emotions are real, but so is the understanding. The fan shared, “So much pressure on these kids nowadays to commit right away. It’s hard to hear this as a Hawk fan, but in all reality, I’m not surprised. I love Bo’s mentality and mindset.. and I wish him the best. Seems like anymore a commitment isn’t a commitment—it’s a stepping stone for people to move on to another opportunity. Transfer portal—is the same issue. Stay true to your decisions.”

It’s a grounded message. One that highlights the chaos of modern recruiting, but also respects Bo’s mindset. For fans like this, it’s not about blame—it’s about the pressure these young athletes carry and the grace to grow through it.