EARLY 2026-27 lineup projections/discussions

Random4598375

All-Conference
Jan 10, 2020
609
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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!

All-Conference
Sep 26, 2025
1,877
2,693
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Don’t think anyone is downplaying Bassett. He will be a National Champion next season. Kid is phenomenal.
 

Efejle

All-Conference
Apr 30, 2023
898
2,120
93
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

All-Conference
Apr 13, 2024
1,624
4,842
113
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.
 
May 5, 2023
196
210
43
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.
 
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FanFromVA

Redshirt
Apr 3, 2026
1
3
3
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.
 

Corby2

All-American
Jul 14, 2025
3,477
7,587
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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
 
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RockyChi

Junior
Feb 4, 2026
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210
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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.
 
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RockyChi

Junior
Feb 4, 2026
114
210
43
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.
 

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Random4598375

All-Conference
Jan 10, 2020
609
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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.
 

El_Jefe

Heisman
Oct 11, 2021
3,365
13,352
113
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

All-Conference
Apr 30, 2023
898
2,120
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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.
 

KH1984

Redshirt
Mar 18, 2026
21
27
13
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
 
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vhsalum

All-Conference
Nov 14, 2002
1,112
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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