Caleb Henson Returns to Virginia Tech Wrestling
The two-time ACC wrestler of the year rejoins the Hokies after redshirting the 2025-26 season.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Wrestling
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Fifth-year senior Caleb Henson is officially back on the mat for Virginia Tech for the 2026-27 season. Currently ranked number one in the 149-pound weight class, Henson seeks to capture his second career NCAA title.
Why it matters
Henson's return significantly bolsters the Hokies as they pursue a national team trophy. He aims to finish his collegiate career with a second national title after taking a year off to refine his freestyle skills for international competition.
Henson enters the season as the top-ranked wrestler at 149 pounds, building on a career that includes a 2024 NCAA championship victory. Virginia Tech currently holds a fourth-place position in the InterMat national preseason rankings.
The players
Caleb Henson
He is a two-time ACC wrestler of the year and a fifth-year senior at Virginia Tech who won the 2024 NCAA title.
Virginia Tech
This is a public research university located in Blacksburg, Virginia, with a wrestling program currently ranked fourth in the nation.
The details
After redshirting the 2025-26 season to focus on freestyle training, Henson returns to the Virginia Tech lineup in Blacksburg. The two-time ACC wrestler of the year previously won the 2024 NCAA title at 149 pounds and finished as the runner-up in 2025.
Timeline
2024: Henson won the NCAA title at 149 pounds.
2025: Henson placed second at the NCAA wrestling final.
2025-26: Henson sat out of competition for a redshirt year.
2026-27: Henson competes for Virginia Tech.
May 2027: Henson is scheduled to graduate.
Season Trajectory
Henson's return bolsters the Hokies' standing in the InterMat national preseason rankings as they chase a team trophy. His presence serves as the primary catalyst for the program's championship ambitions during the 2026-27 season.
Henson occupies the top spot in the 149-pound weight class, providing the Hokies with a critical scoring anchor for dual meets. His participation significantly alters the team's point-scoring potential as they navigate the 2026-27 schedule.
The takeaway
Henson plans to remain in Blacksburg following his May 2027 graduation to continue training for the 2028 U.S. Olympic trials. Athletes often leverage redshirt seasons to transition from collegiate folkstyle to the freestyle discipline required for international play.
Further reading
Follow the latest updates on the team at Wrestling.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily News-Record.
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