RISING STAR: Penn State Wrestling Commit Captures Pan-Am Gold, Eyes Freestyle Title Saturday—16-Year-Old Phenom Shines on International Stage After Flipping from ACC Power to Join Nittany Lions’ Loaded 2026 Class

Penn State Wrestling Commit Jayden James Shines on International Stage, Eyes Second Pan-Am Title This Weekend

Penn State wrestling fans have plenty to be excited about when it comes to the future of their storied program. One of the Nittany Lions’ top Class of 2026 commitments, Jayden James, is already making a name for himself on the international scene.

The 16-year-old standout from New Jersey is currently in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he’s representing Team USA at the U17 Pan-American Championships. A rising star in both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, James already captured gold earlier this week and is aiming for a second title before the weekend is over.

James, the reigning 150-pound New Jersey state champion, competed in the 71-kilogram (approximately 156.5 pounds) division in the Greco-Roman bracket and left little doubt about his dominance. His path to gold included two pins and a hard-fought 11-8 decision, further solidifying his place as one of the country’s elite young wrestlers. Now, he’ll shift his focus to the freestyle bracket, which begins Saturday morning at 9 a.m. ET. The finals and medal matches are slated for 4 p.m. ET.

This weekend’s performance isn’t just another tournament for James—it’s the continuation of a breakout season that started with him capturing his first New Jersey state championship and then excelling at the U.S. Open in April. At that event, he clinched a spot on the U17 U.S. freestyle team, which earned him the right to compete in this prestigious international tournament.

USA Wrestling’s Gary Abbott praised James’ showing at the U.S. Open, where he dominated Justus Heeg of Illinois in the best-of-three finals series. In their first bout, James scored a lightning-fast 10-0 technical fall in just 1:18. He followed that up with a controlled 3-1 decision, winning the critical positions and proving his consistency across styles and opponents.

James didn’t stop there. Riding the momentum from his freestyle triumph, he entered the U20 Team Trials to test himself against older, more experienced wrestlers. Despite being significantly younger than many of his competitors, James came within one win of making the team. He ultimately fell in the 74-kilogram finals to Oklahoma State’s Ladarion Lockett, a match that offered valuable lessons and set the stage for future high-level competition.

His development as a wrestler has drawn attention nationwide—not only for his results but for his maturity and poise. And it’s that promise that caught the eye of Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson and his staff.

James originally committed to Virginia Tech early in the recruiting process. But after some reflection, he made the decision to flip his commitment to Penn State this past March. According to his high school coach Bryan Stoll at Delbarton, James initially committed after just two visits and was still only 16 years old at the time. As time passed, James reassessed what he truly wanted out of his college experience.

“Jayden, he obviously set the recruiting process early,” Stoll told Blue White Illustrated (BWI). “And I think he only took two visits when he originally committed to Virginia Tech. He’s really young… And I think as time passed by, not that he was second guessing himself, but he just wanted to make sure that he looked at every place that he would be interested in. And, ultimately, made a decision to switch.”

The flip to Penn State speaks volumes about the pull of the Nittany Lions’ wrestling culture. With its unparalleled tradition of national titles and Olympic-level development, Penn State continues to attract the country’s best—and James is no exception.

While it’s too early to know exactly where James will compete once he arrives in Happy Valley, there’s already discussion about his future weight class. After dominating at 150 pounds this past season, he’s expected to move up.

“We project him probably either 165 or 175 next year,” Stoll said. “He’s going to wrestle what he weighs. New Jersey weights are different than the PA weights. So, we project him between 165 and 175, but who knows. If he hits a growth spurt and gets to 190, he may wrestle 190. He’s capable of competing with anybody in any of those weight classes, I think, just looking at a skill set.”

That versatility is what makes James such a valuable asset to the Nittany Lions. He blends technique, power, and intelligence, all wrapped in a work ethic that matches the best of Penn State’s current and past greats. His commitment to improvement and his willingness to test himself against older competition bode well for his collegiate future.

Beyond wrestling circles, James’ rise also reflects the shifting landscape of high school recruiting, where early commitments, transfers, and NIL opportunities are now part of the conversation. Penn State’s ability to secure a talent like James despite stiff competition speaks not only to the strength of its wrestling program, but also to its evolving recruiting strategy amid the growing presence of On3, Rivals, and the NIL ecosystem.

As On3 continues expanding its influence—recently acquiring Rivals and pushing major innovations in NIL valuation and recruiting coverage—athletes like Jayden James are increasingly in the spotlight before ever setting foot on a college mat. In this new era, top prospects are scrutinized, celebrated, and sometimes overwhelmed by early attention. James, however, seems more than ready for the challenge.

This weekend, all eyes will be on Rio as James seeks his second Pan-Am gold medal in freestyle. Win or lose, the experience will only sharpen his edge—and it’s just the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable career in blue and white.