EARLY 2026-27 lineup projections/discussions

[Random4598375]

He doesn’t because Kasak wasn’t at NCAA’s. He’s good to go at 157 without issue. MM is happy where he is. It’s Henckel or James at 174.

Or Duke if he can't steal Mitch's spot (LOL) and doesn't want to RS.

 

[Sunshine88!]

Don’t think anyone is downplaying Bassett. He will be a National Champion next season. Kid is phenomenal.

 

[Efejle]

Don’t think anyone is downplaying Bassett. He will be a National Champion next season. Kid is phenomenal.

I like Bassett over Forrest in the final. Everyone has someone who knows them well enough to beat them...

By the way this is exactly the thing that makes Mesenbrink so special: He beat the same guy 9 straight times, and that guy would have been a 2 time or maybe even a 3 time national champ if not for Mitchell

 

[Nitlion1986]

I like Bassett over Forrest in the final. Everyone has someone who knows them well enough to beat them...

By the way this is exactly the thing that makes Mesenbrink so special: He beat the same guy 9 straight times, and that guy would have been a 2 time or maybe even a 3 time national champ if not for Mitchell

Caliendo wasn't beating Carr a couple of years ago.

 

[Anon1683312534]

The criticism of Davis this year was warranted. But that win over Bouzakis was so big I’m giving him a pass for rest of his career. He could get pinned every match and then attack the guy but I’d still like him in the end.

I personally don't think anyone on this board has the right to criticize any of the wrestlers.

 

[FanFromVA]

Official:

125 Luke
133 Ono
141 Desmond
149 Van Ness
157 Kasak
165 Mesenbrink
174 Henckel
184 Welsho
197 Barr
285 Mirasola

170 points and the team championship. Va tech 2nd, Oklahoma State 3rd

Official:

125 Luke
133 Ono
141 Desmond
149 Van Ness
157 Kasak
165 Mesenbrink
174 Henckel
184 Welsho
197 Barr
285 Mirasola

170 points and the team championship. Va tech 2nd, Oklahoma State 3rd

Yes...I agree. This is not necessarily the best line up for next year, but it is best for the coming years. And this line up will win another championship with no problem. IMO...sitting PJ and Blaze is the thing to do. Worked out ok for Zain.

 

[KH1984]

IDJ enough to make an opinion, but I recall hearing Henson 57, Bassett 49…

… but more recently hearing Bassett 41 soView attachment 1239190

Virginia Tech middle weights should look like this next year:

141 Bassett
149 Gaj
157 Henson
165 Burton (Likely)

 

[KH1984]

What if...Ono at 125 and Luke up to 133? I know, crazy

I think it is going to be the other way around...I don't think Ono can make 125 any more. He's a perfect 133

 

[Corby2]

Virginia Tech middle weights should look like this next year:

141 Bassett
149 Gaj
157 Henson
165 Burton (Likely)

Burton will probably be 174. Church will be back . And I expect Miller at semester. Gaj can RS if Henson wants to go 149. Gaj days at 149 are probably over

 

[railbirrd]

Virginia Tech middle weights should look like this next year:

141 Bassett
149 Gaj
157 Henson
165 Burton (Likely)

prediction: Kasak over Henson

 

[RockyChi]

I personally don't think anyone on this board has the right to criticize any of the wrestlers.

Substitute “had hoped he would do better and verbalized it” instead of criticize if you wish. But beyond performance he has acted in a manner not consistent with other PSU wrestlers.

This is probably more relevant to football and the bigger money but things have changed in college sports. Someone might be making a few million dollars, it’s not just some poor college kid hoping to pass Biology.

 

[RockyChi]

Yikes. I guess that means we’re all low IQ. I knew I was, but it somehow makes me feel better to know we all are.

Not familiar with your work but that could be the case. Next post agreed with me actually and then the nonsense stopped. So we can drop it here.

 

[Goggles Paisano]

Only at PSU can you think of sitting PJ, Blaze and James, win another natty, likely reset the record again, and then be better primed for the following year.

 

[Random4598375]

Only at PSU can you think of sitting PJ, Blaze and James, win another natty, likely reset the record again, and then be better primed for the following year.

Between Ono, Sealey, Kasak, Henckel, and Connor, PSU had 5 senior or age group world medalists either in redshirt or straight up backups, including a senior world champion. It’s amazing times we’re living in.

 

[Efejle]

Will Henckel vs Jayden James, this November: Who ya got?

 

[Efejle]

Only at PSU can you think of sitting PJ, Blaze and James, win another natty, likely reset the record again, and then be better primed for the following year.

Everything will be alright as soon as every single guy on the roster graduates in 5 years. Relax Hawk nation.

 

[Goggles Paisano]

Will Henckel vs Jayden James, this November: Who ya got?

Henkle. The following year? Now you are talking!

James is very special, especially after a redshirt. Look out

 

[jstross]

Will Henckel vs Jayden James, this November: Who ya got?

James is so darn young so I'll say Henckel, but it's a toss up.

 

[El_Jefe]

Will Henckel vs Jayden James, this November: Who ya got?

This November is an easy call. James still has his redshirt, Henckel doesn't, and there's no need to pull James' shirt at the beginning of the season. Consistency matters, and the James who faced Milheim at Dapper Dan isn't ready for Minto and Mantanona. Henckel is.

Might be a different story in Jan/Feb.

 

[Efejle]

This November is an easy call. James still has his redshirt, Henckel doesn't, and there's no need to pull James' shirt at the beginning of the season. Consistency matters, and the James who faced Milheim at Dapper Dan isn't ready for Minto and Mantanona. Henckel is.

Might be a different story in Jan/Feb.

I don't know if anyone is ready for Minto: Levi is going to be a world champion one day soon and he had three one takedown/one point matches with him.

 

[Kingslayer]

James is so darn young so I'll say Henckel, but it's a toss up.

I don’t think age is an issue but making sure he fills out . I think he is currently undersized 165, if he gets to full sized 174 i think he is the guy by tournament time.

 

[KH1984]

I don’t think age is an issue but making sure he fills out . I think he is currently undersized 165, if he gets to full sized 174 i think he is the guy by tournament time.

I see a world where BOTH fit in the lineup...WAY TOO MUCH TALENT not to have both in the lineup starting as soon as 2027-2028

James may be a career 174 while Henckel will likely move to 184 after next year...

A lot of very talented overlap from 157-197 and only 1 is graduating after next year...be nice to keep them all, but we may one day lose a couple of them.

157 Duke So
Kasak Jr
Sealey So

165 Messenbrink Sr
James Fr

174 Henckel Fr

184 Welsh Jr
Cunningham Fr

197 Barr Jr
Conner Mirasola So

PSU Problems are not real world problems

 

[vhsalum]

IDJ enough to make an opinion, but I recall hearing Henson 57, Bassett 49…

… but more recently hearing Bassett 41 soView attachment 1239190

Burton will probably be 174. Church will be back . And I expect Miller at semester. Gaj can RS if Henson wants to go 149. Gaj days at 149 are probably over

125 - Ventresca
133 - Seidel
141 - Bassett
149 - Henson staying
157 - Gaj

 

[Anon1771451651]

I know you weren't doing this to be a smart ***, but 5 wrestlers (as of now including Levi) in the 16 years Cael has coached here. Just want to point out Hall started out in redshirt, and Lee spent his senior season in the room. Not officially a redshirt but the closest thing to it. Kasak also did that.

I would also like to point out:
Mark Hall replaced Garret Hammond.
RBY's true freshman year, the others listed at 33 were Austin Clabaugh, Jack Davis 25/33, Jon Consotri 33/41, Patrick Higgins 33/41, Mason Lindenmuth, Brandon Mereditch 25/33, Scott Stossel 33/41.
Nick Lee was pretty much the same as RBY.
BB wrestled at 49 above his true weight class due to Nick Lee for 2 years.

The reason I bring all that up? As dominant as PSU has been, the guys you mentioned wrestled as true freshman due to "lack" ( I use that term loosely ) of depth. They were far and away the best option. Next year, and lately, most of the back ups would be expected to AA. LL already said he's going 25 next year. There are 3 guys for 2 spots at 33/41. Someone will be watching. Desmond used his redshirt, kind of unclear how many years Ono has, Blaze has a RS to use. SVN at 49. 5 guys for 3 spots - Kasak, Duke, MM, Henckel, and I'll even throw Sealey in there for 57-74. Only 1 has a RS to use. 2 guys for 84 with Rocco and Asher and neither has a RS. Connor and Barr at 97. Cole and Elijah at HWT. I'm assuming even though Elijah is a hammer on top, he probably won't have the weight or strength to compete with Cole so he'll use his redshirt.

I point out all of that to say this. We are extremely fortunate with the roster the staff has assembled. Will anyone jump ship in a few days? Possibly. But the staff has to get creative in RS usage and getting guys into lineup. None of us know what these guys will weigh next year or what the plan is. Whatever the lineup is next year, they'll be the favorites again, and if an in season adjustment needs to be made, it will be. Cael is probably already working on the lineup for 2030 trying to figure out who they want to target, and when RS will be used to make it all work.

Best analysts so far, very spot on! The depth now is unlike anyone has ever felt with in this sport. I believe Cael is playing 2028 chess matches already and has already figured this year out and explained it straight forward. Now the rest is up to each kid, will he RS -change weight-or go for what Cael speaks into truth.

 

[Anon1771451651]

You're approaching MSU level of tenaciously sticking to a ridiculously stupid argument. Adding 5-10 points to what is likely a 25-30 point margin at the expense of moving people away from their optimal weights is just not going to happen. If Mitch wants to move up to 174 for some unknown reason, that is the only way he'll be at 174. If he wants to stay at 165, which I and most others expect, he will, period. There's no math about forcing guys out of the weights they want to wrestle going on at all. Cael has never operated like that.

Cael doesn’t demand -he looks them in the eye and tells them what HE sees though.

 

[we-are...]

My 2 cents.......

		26-27		27-28		28-29		29-30
125		Lilledal		Lilledal/Sidun		Sidun		Sidun
133		Ono/Blaze		Blaze/Soto		Blaze/Soto		Blaze/Soto
141		Desmond/Davis		Desmond/Davis/Burnett		Desmond/Burnett		Desmond/Burnett
149		Van Ness/Pierce/Herring		Herring/Mangano		Herring/Mangano		Herring/Mangano
157		Kasak/Sealey		Kasak/Sealey		Sealey/Shepherd		Herring/Mangano
165		Messenbrink/Duke		Duke/Shepherd		Duke/Shepherd		Duke/Shepherd
174		Henkel/James		Henkel/James		James		James
184		Welsh/Cunningham		Welsh/Cunningham		Henkel/Cunningham		Henkel/Cunningham
197		Barr/Mirasola		Barr/Mirasola		Mirasola		Henkel/Cunningham
Hwt		Mirasola/Brown		Mirasola/Brown		Mirasola/Brown		Brown

 

[Kiddagger311]

125 - Ventresca
133 - Seidel
141 - Bassett
149 - Henson staying
157 - Gaj

That starting 5 would be very interesting matched up vs PSU

 

[Mstan85]

My 2 cents.......

		26-27		27-28		28-29		29-30
125		Lilledal		Lilledal/Sidun		Sidun		Sidun
133		Ono/Blaze		Blaze/Soto		Blaze/Soto		Blaze/Soto
141		Desmond/Davis		Desmond/Davis/Burnett		Desmond/Burnett		Desmond/Burnett
149		Van Ness/Herring		Herring/Mangano		Herring/Mangano		Herring/Mangano
157		Kasak/Sealey		Kasak/Sealey		Sealey		Herring/Mangano
165		Messenbrink/Duke		Duke/Shepherd		Duke/Shepherd		Duke/Shepherd
174		Henkel/James		Henkel/James		James		James
184		Welsh/Cunningham		Welsh/Cunningham		Henkel/Cunningham		Henkel/Cunningham
197		Barr/Mirasola		Barr/Mirasola		Mirasola		Henkel/Cunningham
Hwt		Mirasola/Brown		Mirasola/Brown		Mirasola/Brown		Brown

where will Ono be in year 2?

 

[zzs006]

My 2 cents.......

		26-27		27-28		28-29		29-30
125		Lilledal		Lilledal/Sidun		Sidun		Sidun
133		Ono/Blaze		Blaze/Soto		Blaze/Soto		Blaze/Soto
141		Desmond/Davis		Desmond/Davis/Burnett		Desmond/Burnett		Desmond/Burnett
149		Van Ness/Herring		Herring/Mangano		Herring/Mangano		Herring/Mangano
157		Kasak/Sealey		Kasak/Sealey		Sealey		Herring/Mangano
165		Messenbrink/Duke		Duke/Shepherd		Duke/Shepherd		Duke/Shepherd
174		Henkel/James		Henkel/James		James		James
184		Welsh/Cunningham		Welsh/Cunningham		Henkel/Cunningham		Henkel/Cunningham
197		Barr/Mirasola		Barr/Mirasola		Mirasola		Henkel/Cunningham
Hwt		Mirasola/Brown		Mirasola/Brown		Mirasola/Brown		Brown

I’m hoping Shepherd isn’t a 165. Things fit much better if he can go 149 and replace SVN. He’s competing at 65kg at U20’s so unless he really grows 149 is doable. A growth spurt is definitely possible but our lineup fits much better if he can maintain 149

 

[District 4]

I see a world where BOTH fit in the lineup...WAY TOO MUCH TALENT not to have both in the lineup starting as soon as 2027-2028

James may be a career 174 while Henckel will likely move to 184 after next year...

A lot of very talented overlap from 157-197 and only 1 is graduating after next year...be nice to keep them all, but we may one day lose a couple of them.

157 Duke So
Kasak Jr
Sealey So

165 Messenbrink Sr
James Fr

174 Henckel Fr

184 Welsh Jr
Cunningham Fr

197 Barr Jr
Conner Mirasola So

PSU Problems are not real world problems

Some really good backups. Someone always gets dinged up its wrestling. Nice to know there isn't much if any drop off

 

[District 4]

Some really good backups. Someone always gets dinged up its wrestling. Nice to know there isn't much if any drop off

Moat are overlooking Perry. He doesn't have the accolades as some of these guys but he was a M2 kid for years and is no joke. These coaches will definitely have an impact on him

 

[tullfan68]

I didn't catch the guys name on the video but he was ripping on PSU coaches blaming then for Davis career saying they didn't train him ,feed him correctly or help with his weight loss!what a bunch of trash

 

[NoVaLion]

where will Ono be in year 2?

where will Ono be in year 2?

Japan probably.

 

[Headlock]

IDK not IDJ!

I heard that IDJ means I don't Joe which is equivalent to offering opinions without the benefit of coffee!

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Early Lineup Look: 2026-27 Penn State Wrestling - FloWrestling

A breakdown of the Penn State wrestling team for the 2026-27 NCAA season.

www.flowrestling.org

 

[Atrain83]

Early Lineup Look: 2026-27 Penn State Wrestling - FloWrestling

A breakdown of the Penn State wrestling team for the 2026-27 NCAA season.

www.flowrestling.org

Solid write up thanks for sharing. Still quite a bit up in the air in regards to the lineup.

 

[Anon1771451651]

Official:

125 Luke
133 Ono
141 Desmond
149 Van Ness
157 Kasak
165 Mesenbrink
174 Henckel
184 Welsho
197 Barr
285 Mirasola

170 points and the team championship. Va tech 2nd, Oklahoma State 3rd

Desmond just isn’t big enough to be @41 full time yet.once Ono & SVN are gone things will open up for him. Our 33lb guy will be going to 41 after his year with some weightlifting