EARLY 2026-27 lineup projections/discussions

[Nightking]

any thoughts that maybe the reason PJ didn,t wrestle much this offseason was because he was bulking up to go 174 and MM will stay at 165?
Duke could do a Levi and go up 2 weights, he is big enough!

 

[OzarkLion]

any thoughts that maybe the reason PJ didn,t wrestle much this offseason was because he was bulking up to go 174 and MM will stay at 165?
Duke could do a Levi and go up 2 weights, he is big enough!

Are you insinuating that he was hitting the weights hard???

 

[McScoreley]

Never forget Bo wrestled 197 weighing in at low 190s during the season and won the Hodge.

 

[Nitlion1986]

Never forget Bo wrestled 197 weighing in at low 190s during the season and won the Hodge.

Not diminishing any of our young studs, but Bo is by definition an honest to goodness real freak.

 

[Random4598375]

Yeah I heard the same thing about Cael and Mitchel are going on a sabbatical/mission trip this year together, and Josh Barr is sitting out to make room for whichever Marisola doesn't win the heavy weight spot. It was either posted on another forum or a bathroom wall somewhere, I just can't remember which.

125 Lilledahl
133 Ono
141 Blaze
149 SVN
157 Kasak
165 Duke
174 Henckel
184 Rocco
197 Connor
HWT Cole

That's still likely an NCAA championship lineup with at least 3 champs with Casey at the helm. Maybe misses the scoring record by a little.

 

[Nitlion1986]

125 Lilledahl
133 Ono
141 Blaze
149 SVN
157 Kasak
165 Duke
174 Henckel
184 Rocco
197 Connor
HWT Cole

That's still likely an NCAA championship lineup with at least 3 champs with Casey at the helm. Maybe misses the scoring record by a little.

Pick a different 174 pounder.

 

[Random4598375]

Pick a different 174 pounder.

Sorry, forgot Henckel is hurt. Insert Asher if he can make 174 or Sealey, who would be a little undersized for that weight. Either of them would do fine (certainly NQ, probably AA candidates).

 

[Nitlion1986]

Sorry, forgot Henckel is hurt. Insert Asher if he can make 174 or Sealey, who would be a little undersized for that weight. Either of them would do fine (certainly NQ, probably AA candidates).

I have been told it might be a bit of a cut, but one he could make.

 

[CTStall]

Desmond 141.
Let it be written. Let it be done.

 

[LemonPie]

Desmond 141.
Let it be written. Let it be done.

No thank you. He’s tiny.

 

[CTStall]

No thank you. He’s tiny

That wasn't my opinion.

 

[El_Jefe]

That wasn't my opinion.

Desmond got teched by Pierson Manville at the US Open in April. Either he's too small or not good enough. And he did beat Lilledahl, so it's probably not talent.

 

[LemonPie]

That wasn't my opinion.

Well then thanks for sharing. Not ideal. Team race just got closer. This Ono saga is so lame. Interested to see if Herring can push Desmond, but doesn’t seem too likely. Will gladly eat crow if Nate AAs. Damn you, Braeden!

 

[CTStall]

Desmond got teched by Pierson Manville at the US Open in April. Either he's too small or not good enough. And he did beat Lilledahl, so it's probably not talent.

At one point there was 5 wrestlers for 3 spots .
That first number has definitely changed.
I actually think Blaze going 141 would of been probably best scenario for the team but he wants to stay at 133 from what I heard .

 

[Atrain83]

At one point there was 5 wrestlers for 3 spots .
That first number has definitely changed.
I actually think Blaze going 141 would have been probably best scenario for the team but he wants to stay at 133 from what I heard .

Reading the tea leaves from your post on the Ono thread, are you hearing that Desmond beat Ono out for the spot? Not an eligibility issue?

 

[CTStall]

Reading the tea leaves from your post on the Ono thread, are you hearing that Desmond beat Ono out for the spot? Not an eligibility issue?

Not exactly. Did not hear anything about a spefic match .
Ono situation is more about just the difference in the 2 skill sets.
El Jefe did comment on weight concern for Desmond going up . Nate cut really hard last year to go down to 125 for the Army Open. His weight cut probably wasn't attainable for the whole season. He truly was more of a 133 guy who bumped up to 141 a few matches. His height will be the issue at 141.
Also do realize that when Nate beat Luke last year it wasn't the first time. Nate gave Luke all he wanted at Wyoming Seminary.

 

[Joejitsu]

125... Luke
133... Blaze or Ono
141... Blaze or Desmond
149... SVN
157... Kasak or PJ or Sealey
165... Mitch or PJ
174...Levi or Mitch or PJ or Henckel
184...Levi or Rocco
197...Barr
Hvy..Cole or Connor

anyone else feel like we are in November and there are more questions than ever and that is even with clarity around Jayden and (probably Scooter)

 

[Wrestleknownothing]

125... Luke
133... Blaze or Ono
141... Blaze or Desmond
149... SVN
157... Kasak or PJ or Sealey
165... Mitch or PJ
174...Levi or Mitch or PJ or Henckel
184...Levi or Rocco
197...Barr
Hvy..Cole or Connor

anyone else feel like we are in November and there are more questions than ever and that is even with clarity around Jayden and (probably Scooter)

I don't feel like we are in November.

 

[BriantheLion]

I don't feel like we are in November.

…and the statistics back you up!

 

[Goggles Paisano]

I think there is an 83% chance it's November and we just don't know it yet. Super intelligence has already taken over and screwed with the calendars.

 

[tullfan68]

At one point there was 5 wrestlers for 3 spots .
That first number has definitely changed.
I actually think Blaze going 141 would of been probably best scenario for the team but he wants to stay at 133 from what I heard .

the kids young give him a chance!

 

[tullfan68]

LOL Seyko still being insane things change so does he wrong about CONNOR seems to have no idea about wrestling seems to think he knows more than Cael!

 

[Joejitsu]

I don't feel like we are in November.

LOL... tell me that on Sunday.... Who knows maybe the next two days provides some necessary clarity!

 

[RockySmith]

I see Nate Desmond registered at 65kg for Bill Farrell.

interesting if people were thinking he was too small for 141. He can wrestle anywhere he wanted but went 65kg.

Edit: https://www.themat.com/news/2026/oc...-for-2026-bill-farrell-memorial-international

 

[CTStall]

the kids young give him a chance!

I think Desmond will be goood. He's a great mat wrestler. He is really funky on the mat on counters

 

[HOA242n!]

I see Nate Desmond registered at 65kg for Bill Farrell.

interesting if people were thinking he was too small for 141. He can wrestle anywhere he wanted but went 65kg.

Edit: https://www.themat.com/news/2026/oc...-for-2026-bill-farrell-memorial-international

Noticed it as well, and commented in that thread. I was of the opinion that he's too small to be a podium contender at 141, but maybe he's grown an inch or two. Love his attitude and his competitiveness.

 

[RockyChi]

The beautiful thing about wrestling is that Desmond will get his chance to get into the lineup, the same chance everyone else has.

While I understand the admiration for the kid, I don’t quite understand people hoping he starts. Personally I’d rather see combo of Ono/Blaze at 133/141. Ono might not be in the lineup until after the New Year though, but I hope he eventually does wrestle sooner than later. Nowadays PSU is aiming for title contenders at every weight, not just the podium.

 

[JA1339]

The beautiful thing about wrestling is that Desmond will get his chance to get into the lineup, the same chance everyone else has.

While I understand the admiration for the kid, I don’t quite understand people hoping he starts. Personally I’d rather see combo of Ono/Blaze at 133/141. Ono might not be in the lineup until after the New Year though, but I hope he eventually does wrestle sooner than later. Nowadays PSU is aiming for title contenders at every weight, not just the podium.

I’m assuming most everyone would love to see Ono and Blaze in the lineup, and Desmond in the lineup only if Ono isn’t going this year based on eligibility. At least that’s my opinion anyway.

 

[jtothemfp]

The beautiful thing about wrestling is that Desmond will get his chance to get into the lineup, the same chance everyone else has.

While I understand the admiration for the kid, I don’t quite understand people hoping he starts. Personally I’d rather see combo of Ono/Blaze at 133/141. Ono might not be in the lineup until after the New Year though, but I hope he eventually does wrestle sooner than later. Nowadays PSU is aiming for title contenders at every weight, not just the podium.

Not to get all clintonian here w/ 'depends what you mean by is', but sometimes one's "chance" includes things like:
- a teammate delivering one last straw that may remove said teammate's chance (Braeden Davis?)
- international & organizational bureaucracies stymieing or slowing another teammate's chance (Masanosuke Ono?)
- spending your true freshman year going 8-0 with wins over a National Champ (Luke Lilledahl) and another All-American (Dylan Ragusin)

I get the fan hope to someday go 10 for 10 in the National Finals--and in hoping for a lineup that may include more 'sure things' toward such a pie-in-the-sky end, but let's also remember how much fun remains in rooting for Penn Staters who aren't yet already at the top.

I think I count 9 teams on PSU's schedule with dudes on Intermat's 141 rankings, for Desmond to prove himself against. We're all excited to see Ono, naturally. But there remains a ton of fun in watching Desmond compete!

 

[jtothemfp]

Big, big "it's preseason and nobody really knows yet what weights dudes will go" asterisk here, but here are Desmond's opps in the current dual schedule:


Earl's still got Vombaur going 141 and not 149 like Wrestlestat has, so asterisk that #3 ranking. Similar sitch with OU.

I dunno, man. Could be extremely fun!

 

[BriantheLion]

Not to get all clintonian here w/ 'depends what you mean by is', but sometimes one's "chance" includes things like:
- a teammate delivering one last straw that may remove said teammate's chance (Braeden Davis?)
- international & organizational bureaucracies stymieing or slowing another teammate's chance (Masanosuke Ono?)
- spending your true freshman year going 8-0 with wins over a National Champ (Luke Lilledahl) and another All-American (Dylan Ragusin)

I get the fan hope to someday go 10 for 10 in the National Finals--and in hoping for a lineup that may include more 'sure things' toward such a pie-in-the-sky end, but let's also remember how much fun remains in rooting for Penn Staters who aren't yet already at the top.

I think I count 9 teams on PSU's schedule with dudes on Intermat's 141 rankings, for Desmond to prove himself against. We're all excited to see Ono, naturally. But there remains a ton of fun in watching Desmond compete!

In that regard, I’m as eager to see Ono as anyone, but since he’s only been practicing folkstyle a couple of years, and the rest of the team has been doing it since they were youngsters, I would anticipate that he’ll be MUCH better by NEXT season, while Desmond, and everyone else, will be just incrementally better each year. I’ll enjoy watching each lineup!

 

[RockyChi]

Not to get all clintonian here w/ 'depends what you mean by is', but sometimes one's "chance" includes things like:
- a teammate delivering one last straw that may remove said teammate's chance (Braeden Davis?)
- international & organizational bureaucracies stymieing or slowing another teammate's chance (Masanosuke Ono?)
- spending your true freshman year going 8-0 with wins over a National Champ (Luke Lilledahl) and another All-American (Dylan Ragusin)

I get the fan hope to someday go 10 for 10 in the National Finals--and in hoping for a lineup that may include more 'sure things' toward such a pie-in-the-sky end, but let's also remember how much fun remains in rooting for Penn Staters who aren't yet already at the top.

I think I count 9 teams on PSU's schedule with dudes on Intermat's 141 rankings, for Desmond to prove himself against. We're all excited to see Ono, naturally. But there remains a ton of fun in watching Desmond compete!

I’ve seen one poster say “give him a chance he’s young”.

he has a chance, beat everyone at his weight. That’s all that’s being said.

 

[jtothemfp]

I’ve seen one poster say “give him a chance he’s young”.

he has a chance, beat everyone at his weight. That’s all that’s being said.

I can't tell what you're saying, versus what you're saying others are saying, or what you mean by any of it...

1. First sentence I get: you quoting others' takes
2. 2nd sentence I have questions about... is this your voice now: "He already has a chance, beat everyone at his weight?"
- if this is your take, am I reading it right that you're asserting his chance includes having to beat everyone on PSU at this weight?

3. 3rd sentence, with passive voice, "that's all that's being said": is this you trying to simplify what you are saying in #2?

I'm usually pretty decent at reading comprehension, but I admit I'm a little lost now.

 

[HOA242n!]

- spending your true freshman year going 8-0 with wins over a National Champ (Luke Lilledahl) and another All-American (Dylan Ragusin)

Beating a former All-American (once, two years before, at a lower weight class). It was a gutsy win by Desmond, but what it showed me was that he wasn't (last year) a serious threat at 141. I'm sure he's continued to develop, but has he grown?

 

[Atrain83]

We still have no idea what the lineup will be. I’m sure some insiders do and they’re keeping tight lipped which is their right to do. Had a poster saying Desmond is the guy at 141 and insinuating he beat Ono out for the spot. If that’s accurate you’d feel pretty good about his chances to at least make the podium.

 

[jtothemfp]

Beating a former All-American (once, two years before, at a lower weight class). It was a gutsy win by Desmond, but what it showed me was that he wasn't (last year) a serious threat at 141. I'm sure he's continued to develop, but has he grown?

Ooooh, you are setting off alarm bells, hoa! There is a sizable (imo) population of the wrestling community who would cringe at you putting the em PHASIS on this 'former' sylLABle. Such folk would balk at former and suggest using "past" instead. To defend it, they ask things like:
- "at what point does an All-American cease being an All-American?"
- "when the new podium pics are taken, does that at that moment revoke last year's All-American honors?"

Former meaning once, but no longer.
Past meaning earned in the past, but not necessarily abandoned or revoked in the present.

Beyond that faux pas (for I too am one of those who dislike usage of "former" when talking wrestling accomplishment creds), I absolutely get your debate point: that in terms of quality, there's a massive difference between 2/6/2026 141lb Dylan Ragusin, and 2024 133-pound 5th place at Nationals Dylan Ragusin.

But for everyday usage in writing about accomplishment creds on the internet, we return to my original point. Ragusin is a past AA, and Desmond beat him and ispo facto, Desmond now has a second All-American scalp in his collection (Lilledahl being the first).

Also, a question: in what way did Nate Desmond beating Dylan Ragusin 8-5 in SV in Feb 2026 show you that Desmond wasn't a serious 2026 season threat at 141?

 

[HOA242n!]

Ooooh, you are setting off alarm bells, hoa! There is a sizable (imo) population of the wrestling community who would cringe at you putting the em PHASIS on this 'former' sylLABle. Such folk would balk at former and suggest using "past" instead. To defend it, they ask things like:
- "at what point does an All-American cease being an All-American?"
- "when the new podium pics are taken, does that at that moment revoke last year's All-American honors?"

Former meaning once, but no longer.
Past meaning earned in the past, but not necessarily abandoned or revoked in the present.

Beyond that faux pas (for I too am one of those who dislike usage of "former" when talking wrestling accomplishment creds), I absolutely get your debate point: that in terms of quality, there's a massive difference between 2/6/2026 141lb Dylan Ragusin, and 2024 133-pound 5th place at Nationals Dylan Ragusin.

But for everyday usage in writing about accomplishment creds on the internet, we return to my original point. Ragusin is a past AA, and Desmond beat him and ispo facto, Desmond now has a second All-American scalp in his collection (Lilledahl being the first).

Also, a question: in what way did Nate Desmond beating Dylan Ragusin 8-5 in SV in Feb 2026 show you that Desmond wasn't a serious 2026 season threat at 141?

It's not like Ragusin was going to AA last year at 141 (before the injury). It was an incredible match to watch, but man has Desmond gotten a lot of hype from it. What it showed me was Desmond was way undersized and simply didn't (yet) have the horsepower for 141; IMO Braeden Davis would have teched Ragusin if he was available. Desmond's results at this year's U.S. open at 65kg (getting teched by Pierson Manville) did little to change my thoughts.

I'm not the only guy on this board who would not be excited to see Desmond being the starter at 141 this upcoming season. I don't see him being an AA contender in a weak 141 weight class (at 133, he's just a step below the top tier in an insane weight class). But, I'm wrong all the time. If he's the guy, I'll be cheering for him.

 

[Corby2]

It's not like Ragusin was going to AA last year at 141 (before the injury). It was an incredible match to watch, but man has Desmond gotten a lot of hype from it. What it showed me was Desmond was way undersized and simply didn't (yet) have the horsepower for 141; IMO Braeden Davis would have teched Ragusin if he was available. Desmond's results at this year's U.S. open at 65kg (getting teched by Pierson Manville) did little to change my thoughts.

I'm not the only guy on this board who would not be excited to see Desmond being the starter at 141 this upcoming season. I don't see him being an AA contender in a weak 141 weight class (at 133, he's just a step below the top tier in an insane weight class). But, I'm wrong all the time. If he's the guy, I'll be cheering for him.

He can AA at 141. If he's in the line up he will be a threat to AA like every Penn St guy

 

[RockyChi]

I can't tell what you're saying, versus what you're saying others are saying, or what you mean by any of it...

1. First sentence I get: you quoting others' takes
2. 2nd sentence I have questions about... is this your voice now: "He already has a chance, beat everyone at his weight?"
- if this is your take, am I reading it right that you're asserting his chance includes having to beat everyone on PSU at this weight?

3. 3rd sentence, with passive voice, "that's all that's being said": is this you trying to simplify what you are saying in #2?

I'm usually pretty decent at reading comprehension, but I admit I'm a little lost now.

Lol too many drinks in to decipher this word salad but there’s a ton of chatter on Desmond. As if he’s not getting a fair chance, he is.

If he’s good enough he’ll wrestle. End of story.

Now let’s hear some more Conner Pierce talk, another outstanding wrestler who just can’t break the PSU lineup

 

[RockyChi]

I’m assuming most everyone would love to see Ono and Blaze in the lineup, and Desmond in the lineup only if Ono isn’t going this year based on eligibility. At least that’s my opinion anyway.

lol did you see the “Desmond, let it be written, let it be done”?

it get that it’s not most, but just that there’s some and quite vocal allows RockyChi to comment on it.