It’s time once again to talk about what the 2025-26 Penn State wrestling lineup might look like.
When World Champ Masanosuke Ono committed to Penn State, I did my first lineup projection.
Penn State Wrestling: Projecting The 2025-26 Starting Lineup
When Rocco Welsh transferred from Ohio State to PSU, I did another projection.
Although Penn State hasn’t bolstered its roster further since Welsh committed— like it’s needed to, right?— I’m compelled to do a 3.0.
Why am I doing a 3.0? Well, you’ll find out pretty soon.
Let’s get into it.
125
1.0: Luke Lilledahl
2.0: Luke Lilledahl
3.0: Luke Lilledahl
Photo by Penn State Athletics: Luke Lilledahl
No change here. Since my last projection, Lilledahl has done quite well for himself on the freestyle circuit. In late Lilledahl won the U.S. Open at 57 KG, which sent him to Final X. Although Lee fell in two straight matches in a best of three to the great Spencer Lee, that probably won’t cost him his starting spot. Lilledahl has already proven himself in folkstyle, winning the Big Ten and finishing third nationally at 125 last season as a true freshman.
He’s only getting better from here.
133
1.0: Braeden Davis
2.0: Masanosuke Ono
3.0: Masanosuke Ono
Ono could go at either 133 or 141 but the guarantee is that he will start. World champs don’t sit on the bench.
141
1.0: Masanosuke Ono
2.0: Braeden Davis or Marcus Blaze
3.0: Marcus Blaze
If Ono does indeed compete at 133, Davis, who finished fifth nationally at that weight last season, will still have a chance make the lineup at 141. But since my last projections, I’ve decided that writing “or” is a copout, so I’m just gonna go with who I think will win the job.
To me, Blaze is that guy.
What it comes down to is this: Davis is an excellent wrestler. But he isn’t generational.
Blaze, the No. 1 pound for pound recruit from the 2025 Class, very well could be, and those aren’t the type of guys that sit, even as true freshmen.
149
1.0: Shayne Van Ness
2.0: Shayne Van Ness
3.0: Shayne Van Ness
Photo by Penn State Athletics: Shayne Van Ness
No debate here. Van Ness, who took third at nationals last season, will be the guy at 149 as long as he’s healthy. The question is: Will this be the year he wins it all?
157
1.0: Tyler Kasak
2.0: Tyler Kasak
3.0: P.J. Duke
Photo by SJanicki Photo: PJ Duke
And this, my friends, is the inspiration for this article. Back in March, I didn’t think there was a chance for Duke to start as a true freshman. It’s not that the No. 2 pound-for-pound ‘25 recruit doesn’t have the potential to be an all-time great. It’s that, well, look at Kasak.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Kasak was the favorite to win the national title going into the championships this March and ended up taking third. If Kasak starts, he’ll be the favorite coming into this season.
It’s crazy to think of a guy like that sitting on the bench but the same could be said for Duke.
I mean, the guy just had his last high school class and is on the Senior World Team for crying out loud.
The Kid is Alright: Penn State Wrestling Commit PJ Duke Shocks The World
Like Blaze, Duke has the potential to be one of the greatest. Although Duke will have a harder time making the lineup because of who he’s competing against, I’m done even remotely doubting him.
165
1.0: Mitchell Mesenbrink
2.0: Mitchell Mesenbrink
3.0: Take a wild guess
Photo by Penn State athletics: Mitchell Mesenbrink
Yeah, the defending undefeated national champ and Hodge Trophy finalist isn’t sitting. The question is wether Mesenbrink will win wrestling’s Heisman this time around.
174
1.0: Levi Haines
2.0: Levi Haines
3.0: Hevi Laines
Photo by Penn State Wrestling: Levi Haines
Like Mesenbrink, Haines is a national champion. Unlike Mesenbrink, Haines won his title in 2024, not ‘25. Haines had to settle for third in Philly this past March, and in his last year of eligibility, he’s going to be hell bent to go out with a bang.
184
1.0: Zack Ryder
2.0: Rocco Welsh
3.0: Rocco Welsh
Ryder transferred for a reason. Welsh, the 2024 national runner-up at 174, will be a force at 184.
197
1.0: Josh Barr
2.0: Josh Barr
3.0: Josh Barr
Photo by Penn State Wrestling: Josh Barr
The man who beat Barr to win the national title at 197, Iowa’s Stephen Buchanan, is out of eligibility. Although this improves Barr’s chances, Barr still will have to deal with A.J. Ferrari. Love him or hate him, Ferrari is one of the best in the land, and now, he’s in the Big Ten, competing at Nebraska.
Barr and Ferrari aren’t the only stars at 197 but it would be a lot of fun if they met in March.
HEAVYWEIGHT
1.0: Cole Mirasola
2.0: Cole Mirasola
3.0 Cole Mirasola
No change at heavyweight.
This might be the biggest question mark Penn State has. Replacing a five-time All-American and 2024 national champ in Greg Kerkvliet won’t be easy. Mirasola only has two matches under his belt— losing both— so there isn’t much of a sample to go on.
Since Penn State didn’t add a heavyweight in the transfer portal— there was talk that Ferrari might come to PSU and move up, which didn’t happen— Mirasola should be the guy.
Mirasola has a lot of talent, and it’s time to see if he can add polish.
