Penn State wrestling has added a member to its 2026 recruiting class, and it’s a heavyweight who used to be committed to Pitt.
Elijah Brown announced via Twitter that he’s committed to Penn State
Brown has wrestled for three seasons at Belle Vernon Area High School in the Pittsburgh Area, where he’s 127-19 overall with a state championship.
Brown would have had a shot at a state title as a sophomore, too, winning a WPIAL title. But he came down with an illness in Hershey that he called “the most sick I’ve been in my entire life.”
He finished the season 1-2 and didn’t place at states.
Additionally, Brown won a national championship at Fargo in 2024.
MatScouts ranked Brown No. 28 on its senior big board and the No. 6 heavyweight.
Initially, the play was for Brown to compete at Pitt, but he de-committed Oct. 1.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“First, I would like to thank the University of Pittsburgh and its staff for their belief in me and the opportunity they provided,” Brown tweeted. “After careful thought, I have decided to decommit and reopen my recruitment. I look forward to finding the best fit for my future.”
Penn State wrestling now has three commits to its 2026 recruiting class, with Brown joining Jayden James, who’s ranked No. 3 by FloWrestling, and Sam Herring, ranked No. 27.
As far as the current heavyweight situation goes, Penn State is still figuring out who it wants to succeed Greg Kerkvliet, a five-time All-American and 2024 national champion who is out of eligibility.
The choices are Cole Mirasola, Lucas Cochran, and Dawson Bundy.
Mirasola and Cochran are leading the race.
“Two really good guys that we feel very comfortable with,” coach Cael Sanderson said Tuesday. “Lucas was a guy who had a lot of opportunities. He graduated, and we’re very grateful to see him come back. And it just makes sense for him to move up the heavyweight just because of the depth that we have at ’97.”
