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EARLY 2026-27 lineup projections/discussions

PSU Mike

PSU Mike

All-American
Jul 28, 2001
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Misalorales said:
I, like most here, am very much biased. That said, Cael and PSU have proven that when a guy is a finalist, he doesn't regress to not being a finalist the next year. I'm trying to think of the PSU guys who were finalists and then the next didn't make it back the next year. I'm sure there are a few but I'm also positive the % of PSU finalists that return to the finals is absurdly high. Taylor and Ok State may very well have that same level of consistency going for them but it's too early to give them the benefit of the doubt. That and Robideau even making the finals required some...luck. Merrill with his "style" will always be highly susceptible to being upset. I could see him back in the finals though. Unless a guy like Sinclair goes up to 197 or Rademacher makes a folkstyle jump like he did in freestyle last year.

Welsh would be the least likely repeat finalist but bet against him winning a vast majority of tight matches at your own peril.


* Anyone feel free to name the finalists that didn't return because now I want to know and don't have time to dig into it currently.

Levi Haines
Max Dean
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Beau

With qualification: Nico (returned with lapse), Matt Brown (returned with lapse), Kerk (had a knee)
 
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jamesmattmikesam

Redshirt
Dec 4, 2025
8
10
3
RockyChi said:
Yes I think Duke will red shirt. I believe the Hepner match was just oddity. You are right it’s an assumption though. I believe he wins and might have a few less bonus matches. But that’s around 2-3 points.

But if Duke didn’t RS I think he’s getting 20-25 points at 165. Henckel can get a very high podium and could actually make the Final if he gets the right type of path. But ultimately on average I think he scores around 10 points less than Duke.
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Hepner gave him a good match but I think MM could have still majored him.MM shut down after Hepner good hurt .
 
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Misalorales

All-Conference
Jun 3, 2025
1,163
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Well, I found the time so :

Since 2009-2010 PSU has had 66 finalists.
Of those 66 finalists, 6 times have one not returned to the finals the next year.


Wrestler.........Year they failed to return.
-Megaludis in 2014
-Brown in 2014
-Dean in 2023
-Bartlett,Haines, Kerk in 2025

*Kerk was severely hurt
**Haines, Bartlett, Megaludis all took 3rd the year they failed to repeat a finals trip.
***Brown took 5th
**** Brown, Megaludis and Haines all won a title after failing to return previously.

If you take out the 13 finalists who were seniors it's 53 finalists and 6 failed to return the following year.

Taylor at Ok State may be able to replicate that. He may not. Until he has 7-10 years of data with multiple generations of recruits I'm giving Cael and PSU the benefit of the doubt when it comes to who's more likely to repeat performances.


As always, feel free to correct me. I'm as amateur as you can be with stats and definitely can be wrong.
 
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Joejitsu

Joejitsu

Junior
Jun 10, 2025
283
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125... Luke --- beat McGowan... Luke should win it all again next year
133... Jax- beat Davino- Both of those guys will be in the running... but the addition of ONO could be a trump card... if not... Blaze is not far off
141.. Vega beat Mendez...I think Vega wins it again next year--- but blaze bumping up here could make it interesting
149 Valencia beat SVN... I think both guys are in it again but I think SVN wins it next year
157 Robideau beat Antrell. I think Pj beats them both next year but all three will be there... Unless Kasak goes 157 then I think hes the favorite
165 Mitch beat Caliendo... and Mitch runs the table again...unless he bumps up then PJ here and I think PJ runs that table
174. Levi beat Minto and levi is gone so Minto would be the guy to beat unless Mitch moves up... then Mitch runs the table here also!
184...Max beat Rocco...those two are back in the mix along with Angelo (i think) & Sinclair... Rocco has a little work to do bc that weight is stacked
197.. Josh beat Cody Merril... I think both are back in the finals and Josh runs the table again!
Hvy... Trumble beat Yonger. I think Cole gets better and has a legit chance of being top 3 or 4 if he can add some size and strength.

Legit could have 7 finalists next year
Ono is the wild card and
all 10 wrestlers could / should finish top 5
 
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zzs006

All-Conference
Mar 27, 2017
791
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El_Jefe said:
Forrest yes, Vega less clear.

The problem there is 149 has 4 guys (with Van Ness, Valencia, and Henson) for 2 spots.
Click to expand...
I think Henson matches up really well with Vega. He’s big, strong, and can just power through his attacks instead of getting stuck on the mat below the knee where Vega is deadly. SVN fits the bill also. He rarely attacks below the knee and usually finishes with high doubles or knee picks. SVN isnt a great scrambler though. He would need to finish quick and clean which is a tough ask against Vega
 
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Joejitsu

Joejitsu

Junior
Jun 10, 2025
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zzs006 said:
I think Henson matches up really well with Vega. He’s big, strong, and can just power through his attacks instead of getting stuck on the mat below the knee where Vega is deadly. SVN fits the bill also. He rarely attacks below the knee and usually finishes with high doubles or knee picks. SVN isnt a great scrambler though. He would need to finish quick and clean which is a tough ask against Vega
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Cael will have him ready!
 
T

The Pitchfork Rebel

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2021
575
1,345
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The difficulty with projecting lineups..

A couple of years ago, a kid named Mitchell transferred from Cal Baptist, where he had two matches, won both by pin, but didn't crack the starting lineup.

Who saw him as a spectacular one loss, National Runner up, National Champ, National Champ, Hodge Winner and a year to go in their crosshairs?

Who say Levi jumping up two weight classes and barely missing a beat,

Who didn't think this year's starting lineup would be 197 Mirasola, 285 Mirasola, instead of Barr jumping up to 197 when Starocci took over 184?

Who saw Cassar going from 197 to 285 and beating out Nevills when he couldn't beat out an undersized Rasheed the year before?

Then there's injuries to guys like Suriano, Nagao, Howard, even Cassar that end their Penn State time, or guys like Nolf or Starocci who win the big prize on a bum wheel?

Maybe somebody fills out this off season and jumps up or maybe some switch is flipped and they suddenly become bonus point machines.
 
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Nitlion1986

All-Conference
Apr 13, 2024
1,588
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5q said:
If jax moves to 141, hes top 2 , if vega moves to 149, wouldnt he also most likely be a finalist ?

Wouldnt their 157 lb’r also be considered a finalist ?

if we are assuming our 5 make it back to finals, u have to say their 4 freshmen do as well
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If Vega moves to 149 then you have Shayne, Vega, Henson and Valencia. Not sure we can just assume any are finalists, but we can assume the semi-finals should be thrilling.
 
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PaWrestlingFan7

Junior
Feb 10, 2020
89
273
53
zzs006 said:
I think Henson matches up really well with Vega. He’s big, strong, and can just power through his attacks instead of getting stuck on the mat below the knee where Vega is deadly. SVN fits the bill also. He rarely attacks below the knee and usually finishes with high doubles or knee picks. SVN isnt a great scrambler though. He would need to finish quick and clean which is a tough ask against Vega
Click to expand...
Pretty sure I heard Henson will be 157 next year (or maybe I imagined that)?
 
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Random4598375

All-Conference
Jan 10, 2020
599
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PaWrestlingFan7 said:
Pretty sure I heard Henson will be 157 next year (or maybe I imagined that)?
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I think that was more or less speculation rather than actual knowledge of anything. They have Ventresca, Campbell, Seidel, Bassett, Gaj, and Henson to fit into their lower weights next season. It's easier to do with 5 spots than 4.
 
T

TangSoo

Junior
Oct 29, 2021
85
314
53
Roswelllion said:
I am a fan but fairly new to the message board. It is fascinating and confusing as hell to try and follow all the old stuff [3+ years ago] or the guys on the bench [Sealy Henckel, etc.] I have three questions.
I was under the impression that Ono was all world [yea I know he really was] but in watching his you tube videos he seems to be lightning quick with what I'll call an ankle pick and then rolling guys over which I guess is a point in freestyle. [freestyle has no up or down positions?] Question 1: for those who are familiar with what is going on in the room, how is his wrestling transferring to folkstyle? I presume he works out with Blaze, Desmond etc. How does he compare? Question 2: I thought Mendez was unstoppable until Vega beat him. That did not look like a fluke aka. PJ's loss. So if Vega goes to 149 is he an immediate favorite over SVN? Finally, why is there so little love for Bo Basset? Jax looked really good to me and then someone posted a video of Basett bixxtch slapping Jax in HS. Also what is the backstory for why he isn't at PSU. It looks like he committed to Iowa and then transferred to Va Tech.
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I don't claim to have any clue what's going on in the room. But, I didn't see anybody answer you so, I'll offer my opinions. 1) Ono is apparently very good from bottom. Makes sense. Lightning quick and powerful. Does he really need to top wrestle? I'd guess he fares well against Blaze and Desmond. I think if he's healthy, he'll be a monster at 133. I personally don't think Davino has enough for him, but Jax may. Just my opinion
2) I love SVN and his style, but Vega is airtight defensively and SVN has lapses. I'd favor Vega (I'm not a Bassett lover, but I think he could be a problem for Shayne as well, assuming he goes 149). I love PJ but I wouldn't call his loss a fluke. The OSU kid slowed him down and took him to OT (like Taylor slowed him down the first time they met). Yeah, he got robbed, but that's different from a fluke. PJ was gassed in OT. Maybe the cut got to him 3) I think the Bassett's were working schools for the highest offer. When he left Iowa, Cael wasn't playing that game again (my opinion, and probably the opinion of others). Jax and Bassett have probably wrestled together hundreds of hours. Room familiarity. It might be folly to predict who wins that at 141. But, I'll take a shot. Jax has jumped levels, obviously. I think Jax would win at 141. Maybe we see more over the summer and that opinion changes.
 
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Roswelllion

All-Conference
Aug 18, 2003
967
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TangSoo said:
I don't claim to have any clue what's going on in the room. But, I didn't see anybody answer you so, I'll offer my opinions. 1) Ono is apparently very good from bottom. Makes sense. Lightning quick and powerful. Does he really need to top wrestle? I'd guess he fares well against Blaze and Desmond. I think if he's healthy, he'll be a monster at 133. I personally don't think Davino has enough for him, but Jax may. Just my opinion
2) I love SVN and his style, but Vega is airtight defensively and SVN has lapses. I'd favor Vega (I'm not a Bassett lover, but I think he could be a problem for Shayne as well, assuming he goes 149). I love PJ but I wouldn't call his loss a fluke. The OSU kid slowed him down and took him to OT (like Taylor slowed him down the first time they met). Yeah, he got robbed, but that's different from a fluke. PJ was gassed in OT. Maybe the cut got to him 3) I think the Bassett's were working schools for the highest offer. When he left Iowa, Cael wasn't playing that game again (my opinion, and probably the opinion of others). Jax and Bassett have probably wrestled together hundreds of hours. Room familiarity. It might be folly to predict who wins that at 141. But, I'll take a shot. Jax has jumped levels, obviously. I think Jax would win at 141. Maybe we see more over the summer and that opinion changes.
Click to expand...
Thanks for good answers.
 
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M

McScoreley

All-Conference
Oct 31, 2021
345
1,765
93
The Pitchfork Rebel said:
The difficulty with projecting lineups..

A couple of years ago, a kid named Mitchell transferred from Cal Baptist, where he had two matches, won both by pin, but didn't crack the starting lineup.

Who saw him as a spectacular one loss, National Runner up, National Champ, National Champ, Hodge Winner and a year to go in their crosshairs?

Who say Levi jumping up two weight classes and barely missing a beat,

Who didn't think this year's starting lineup would be 197 Mirasola, 285 Mirasola, instead of Barr jumping up to 197 when Starocci took over 184?

Who saw Cassar going from 197 to 285 and beating out Nevills when he couldn't beat out an undersized Rasheed the year before?

Then there's injuries to guys like Suriano, Nagao, Howard, even Cassar that end their Penn State time, or guys like Nolf or Starocci who win the big prize on a bum wheel?

Maybe somebody fills out this off season and jumps up or maybe some switch is flipped and they suddenly become bonus point machines.
Click to expand...
My favorite example: In 2020, I thought Nic Bouzakis was a can't miss 4 timer level prospect and Levi Haines would be a solid room addition you should try to add because he's a PA kid.
 
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Nitlion1986

All-Conference
Apr 13, 2024
1,588
4,726
113
McScoreley said:
My favorite example: In 2020, I thought Nic Bouzakis was a can't miss 4 timer level prospect and Levi Haines would be a solid room addition you should try to add because he's a PA kid.
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Levi turns 22 in August. At 21 Levi has been the man child.
Taylor and McKnight told me early that Levi was different and people would love him because he is so damn happy all of the time.
If this has program has ever had a kid who exemplified "keep it simple genius" it has been Levi.
 
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El_Jefe

El_Jefe

Heisman
Oct 11, 2021
3,311
13,110
113
McScoreley said:
My favorite example: In 2020, I thought Nic Bouzakis was a can't miss 4 timer level prospect and Levi Haines would be a solid room addition you should try to add because he's a PA kid.
Click to expand...

The 2022 HS class has 4 national champs so far:
- Levi: 2-1-3-1, 87.0 pts
- Mendez: 6-1-1-2, 79.5
- Henson: 5-1-2-shirt, 49.5
- Taylor: shirt-8-1-2, 47.5

If we re-ranked the class, Levi would be #1 overall, did it without shirting, and did it all before turning 22.
 
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tullfan68

All-Conference
Jun 20, 2021
782
1,022
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RockyChi said:
I think he was banged up

Anyhow Max Dean over Jacob Warner was a huge match to preserve our current dual win streak. Next biggest was probably an injured Scooter over Bouzakis after Luke got pinned.

Dean and Davis sometimes get some grief here, but that will never come from RockyChi
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I wouldnt call Davis giving grief its more like he should wrestled smarter and stay more balanced with conttrolled moves!many of his losses are his own fault!
 
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RockyChi

RockyChi

Junior
Feb 4, 2026
108
200
43
tullfan68 said:
I wouldnt call Davis giving grief its more like he should wrestled smarter and stay more balanced with conttrolled moves!many of his losses are his own fault!
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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.
 
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Goggles Paisano

Goggles Paisano

All-Conference
Feb 6, 2018
774
2,011
93
Efejle said:
170 points and the team championship. Va tech 2nd, Oklahoma State 3rd
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170? Look weight by weight and guess if we will score more, less or the same. Next year, if healthy, there is a very good chance we AA all 10 and 5+ champs is within consideration. I am ok with Henkle generating less, and the rest are the same or more. 141 and Hwt increase in points more than offset a reduction at 174. 170 points would be a bit of a disappointment IMO.
 
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