In college, Metzger was a two-time NCAA Division I National champion and a four-time All-American at the University of Oklahoma.

[1] Having started wrestling as a high school freshman, Metzger was a state champion out of Cedar Springs High School in Cedar Springs, Michigan and was successful in folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco-Roman styles.

[2] From 1979 to 1982, he became a two-time NCAA Division I National champion and a four-time All-American while at the University of Oklahoma, and in 1980, Metzger almost made the US Olympic Team before injuring his ankle and forfeiting the finale against fellow NCAA champion Steve Barrett, where he was leading.

[1] He made a return in 2012 as a Greco-Roman wrestler, falling one match short from placing at the US Olympic Team Trials despite being 52 years of age.

[2] In 2017, Metzger was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.