What Will Penn State Wrestling Look Like in 2025-26? A Deep Dive into the Projected Lineup 3.0
Once again, it’s time to project the potential Penn State wrestling lineup for the 2025-26 season. This marks the third iteration of the lineup forecast, reflecting the ever-evolving roster and the buzz surrounding Penn State’s world-class recruits and transfers.
The first projection came after Masanosuke Ono, a world champion, announced his commitment to PSU. The second version followed the transfer of Rocco Welsh from Ohio State. While there haven’t been additional roster shakeups since Welsh’s move, a new star’s emergence has prompted a fresh look.
Let’s dive weight-by-weight into what the Nittany Lions could bring to the mat next season.
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125 Pounds – Luke Lilledahl
From version 1.0 through 3.0, Luke Lilledahl remains the guy at 125. A true freshman phenom, Lilledahl impressed by winning the Big Ten title and placing third nationally. Since then, he’s also won the U.S. Open at 57 KG, earning a spot at Final X. Although he fell short against the legendary Spencer Lee, his position in the lineup is secure. With his youth and rapid growth, his ceiling is sky-high.
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133 Pounds – Masanosuke Ono
Ono remains the projected starter at 133. A world champion, Ono brings international credentials that make him a lock for the starting lineup. There’s a possibility he could shift to 141, but as of now, he slots in best at 133. World champs don’t sit—plain and simple.
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141 Pounds – Marcus Blaze
In the earlier projections, there was indecision about whether Braeden Davis, who placed fifth at 133 last season, or Marcus Blaze, the No. 1 pound-for-pound recruit in the 2025 class, would hold this spot. This time around, the prediction is clearer: Blaze wins the job.
Davis is excellent, no doubt. But Blaze’s upside is potentially generational. True freshmen like Blaze don’t usually sit on the sidelines, especially not in a program like Penn State’s.
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149 Pounds – Shayne Van Ness
No surprises here. Shayne Van Ness remains the clear frontrunner at 149 across all three projections. He finished third in the nation last season and remains one of PSU’s most consistent performers. The real question is whether this is the year he finally takes the top spot on the podium.
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157 Pounds – Tyler Kasak vs. P.J. Duke
This is where things get spicy. Initially, it seemed unlikely that P.J. Duke, the No. 2 pound-for-pound recruit in the 2025 class, would start right away. But Duke has made major waves—he’s wrapping up high school and is already on the Senior World Team. That’s practically unheard of.
Yet, Tyler Kasak isn’t an easy guy to bench. He entered last year’s NCAA Tournament as a title favorite and finished third. If Kasak starts again, he’ll be a serious contender for the national title.
But after watching Duke rise rapidly, it’s hard to count him out. The battle between Kasak and Duke could be one of the most compelling lineup decisions of the season.
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165 Pounds – Mitchell Mesenbrink
Mesenbrink is a lock. The undefeated national champion and Hodge Trophy finalist will remain the man to beat at 165. The only storyline here is whether he can claim wrestling’s version of the Heisman Trophy this season.
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174 Pounds – Levi Haines
Haines, another national champ, had to settle for third place at the most recent NCAA Championships. With one year of eligibility left, he’s looking to go out on top. Expect a fired-up and focused Haines in 2025-26, determined to reclaim his spot as the best at 174.
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184 Pounds – Zack Ryder over Rocco Welsh
This may raise eyebrows, as Rocco Welsh is a 2024 NCAA finalist. However, Zack Ryder transferred to Penn State with the intention of being a starter—and the coaching staff likely has confidence in his ability to deliver. Even if Welsh doesn’t win the starting spot outright, expect him to be a major presence in the room and potentially step in if needed.
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197 Pounds – Josh Barr
Josh Barr, a national finalist at 197, stays put in the lineup. With Iowa’s Stephen Buchanan—who beat Barr for the title—graduating, Barr’s path to the top looks clearer. Still, he’ll have to get past names like A.J. Ferrari, now at Nebraska and competing in the Big Ten. The Barr-Ferrari showdown is one that fans are already eagerly anticipating.
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285 Pounds (Heavyweight) – Cole Mirasola
Replacing Greg Kerkvliet, a five-time All-American and 2024 national champion, won’t be easy. But right now, the job belongs to redshirt freshman Cole Mirasola. He’s only wrestled twice in college and lost both matches, so there’s limited data to go on. Nevertheless, with no transfer portal additions and Ferrari staying at 197, the path is wide open for Mirasola.
He’s got raw talent—the question is whether he can translate it into college-level dominance. He’ll get his shot.
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Final Thoughts
This 3.0 projection highlights the extraordinary talent depth in the Penn State wrestling room. From proven NCAA champions like Mesenbrink and Haines to blue-chip newcomers like Blaze and Duke, the Nittany Lions are stacked with both experience and explosive potential.
With battles brewing at weights like 141 and 157, and legacy spots needing to be filled at heavyweight, there’s plenty of intrigue heading into the 2025-26 season. Expect some fireworks from this squad—and possibly a few more lineup surprises as the season nears.
