college

Meet the 2025 College Classic Bracket contenders

Meet the eight college anglers slated to compete for a spot in the 2026 Bassmaster Classic. It will all go down Sept. 26–29 on Watauga Lake, Tennessee. Catch all the action on Bassmaster.com and Roku.

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The Bassmaster College Series has all come down to this: the Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s. The most prestigious college event, the College Classic Bracket consists of eight of the top college anglers going head-to-head for one spot in the 2026 Bassmaster Classic. This year, the College Classic Bracket will be held on Watauga Lake in Tennessee. Click HERE to learn more about the event details!
As of 2025, five current Bassmaster Elite Series anglers are previous Classic Bracket winners, two of whom are Bassmaster Classic champions — Jordan Lee and Easton Fothergill. Pictured above are Easton Fothergill (2024, University of Montevallo), John Garrett (2026, Bethel University), Cody Huff (2019, Bethel University), Jacob Foutz (2015, Bryan College) and Jordan Lee (2013, Auburn University).
Last year’s Bracket Champion was Dylan Akins from Emmanuel University, who took the win on Tim’s Ford Lake in Winchester, Tenn.
Akins had a trying Classic go at Lake Ray Roberts but is currently fishing the EQ series after qualifying through the Opens. He is battling it out for an Elite Series invitation.
The winner of the Bracket wins the use of a fully rigged Nitro Z20 bass boat and a Toyota Tundra wrapped in their school colors, paid entry into one division of St. Croix Bassmaster Opens, and of course, a ticket to the Bassmaster Classic.
This year’s overall Team of the Year race and National Championship came down to the wire. The National Championship ended in a tie, requiring both teams to head back out for a tie-breaking fish-off. Garrett Smith and Andrew Blanton were the first to land a legal keeper and claim their second National Championship title in a row.
Tripp Berlinsky – University of North Alabama
Qualified via winning overall Team of the Year
Bryce Dimauro – University of North Alabama
Qualified via winning overall Team of the Year
Garrett Smith – Lander University
Qualified via winning 2025 College National Championship
Andrew Blanton – Lander University
Qualified via winning 2025 College National Championship
Blake Wheat – Carson Newman University
Qualified via winning Lunkers Trail Team of the Year
Zachary Helton – Carson Newman University
Qualified via winning Lunkers Trail Team of the Year
Grant Pursifull – Stephen F. Austin State University
Qualified via winning Legends Trail Team of the Year
Ben Burns – Stephen F. Austin State University
Qualified via winning Legends Trail Team of the Year
These anglers will battle it out Sept. 26–29 on Watauga Lake, Tennessee. Catch all the action on Bassmaster.com and Roku.

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