SANDPOINT — After former Sandpoint High School star wrestler Jorden Tyler wrapped up his first year at North Idaho College, he began reaching out to other schools in hopes of a future four-year home. 

Tyler said he didn't expect it to happen so quickly or for the decision to take him to Nebraska. However, once Josh Watts, the new men's wrestling head coach at Bellevue University, made him an offer that features a scholarship, it was an easy choice. 

"I was planning on going to NIC for this year and then moving to a different college, but they gave me an offer that I couldn't pass up," Tyler said. " I decided that I'm moving to Nebraska." 

During his first year with the Cardinals, the record-setting Sandpoint wrestler battled a knee injury that kept him sidelined. With the NCAA implementing a new rule that student-athletes only get five years of eligibility, Tyler said he thought the clock was ticking on his collegiate career. 

Watts didn't shy away from the fact that he wanted Tyler to play for the Bruins, a brand-new wrestling program competing at the NAIA level. 

"[Watts] said, 'Why wait a year when I can have you for all four years instead of just having you for three,'" Tyler said. "I was like, 'Yeah, that's smarter. Why wait a year and potentially lose this opportunity or go now where I have four years to learn with this coach?" 

The connection between Tyler and Watts was another significant driving factor in his decision. Tyler said he researched Watts, a former junior college wrestling Coach of the Year who has spent nearly 20 years building successful programs. 

Tyler described his wrestling as unorthodox and said that Watts told him he wouldn't try to change anything about his style, which reassured him about committing to the program in its first year. 

"He wants me to wrestle my style, and he's there to help me grow my style," Tyler said. " [Knowing] he's there to support, help you and make you better in the way that you wrestle is very awesome. It helps calm some nerves." 

Once the offer was made and Tyler thought it through, then came the hard part: telling his parents. Tyler said he's never been further east than North Dakota and knew it would be a massive step leaving North Idaho for a place he's never seen before. 

"It was definitely nerve-wracking at first, I was like 'Hey, we just got this opportunity to go achieve a dream that I've been dreaming ever since I was a little kid, and it's pretty, like it's pretty far away, but I mean, and I think it's worth it,'" Tyler said. "Then my mom and dad were like, 'If you believe that this is worth it, then we're going to go on this ride with you.'" 

Bellevue does not have a 2026 wrestling schedule posted as of publication, but Tyler said he is set to leave for Nebraska in late August to settle into his new home before the next season begins.