NCAA Wrestling preseason power rankings: Iowa or Penn State at the top?

2021 Stats

Rank: 2
Dual Meet Record: 6-0

NCAA Champions: 4
133 – Roman Bravo-Young
141 – Nick Lee
174 – Carter Starocci
184 – Aaron Brooks

All-Americans: 6
133 – Roman Bravo-Young (1st)
141 – Nick Lee (1st)
174 – Carter Starocci (1st)
184 – Aaron Brooks (1st)
197 – Michael Beard (7th)
285 – Greg Kerkvliet (7th)

2021 Recruiting
Rank: 1
Recruits: 4
Top 100 Recruits: 3
No. 2 Alex Facundo (proj – 165/174)
No. 4 Shayne Van Ness (proj – 149/157)
No. 29 Gary Steen (proj – 125)

For most of the 2021 season, the Nittany Lions trotted out a total of six freshman in their starting rotation. Which makes the accomplishments Cael Sanderson and crew achieved even more impressive aside from the 6 All-Americans, perfect dual meet record, 2nd place finish in the NCAA’s, and 4 individual NCAA Champions.

And due to the extra year of eligibility, Penn State Wrestling will remain the youngest team in the B1G as they will most likely have 6 freshman going for the upcoming season as well.

With Brady Berge (157) retiring, NCAA runner-up Max Dean (197) transferring in, Robbie Howard (125) potentially sitting out a year due to injury, 3 highly ranked recruits coming in, and Joe Lee (165) not exactly setting the world on fire last season, the Nittany Lions could have a drastically different look to their lineup this season.

No. 2 overall recruit Alex Facundo could possibly get the nod at 165 if Sanderson thinks he’s ready. As I mentioned, Robbie Howard could miss the entire season so Gary Steen would be the logical replacement for him at 125. And depending on what the staff does with Beau Bartlett (149), he could either move up to 157 and Shayne Van Ness would go at 149. Or Bartlett would stay at 149 and Van Ness would give it a go at 157.

Then Penn State Wrestling will have to figure out what to do with All-American Michael Beard (197) and incoming transfer Max Dean (Cornell). I believe the most likely outcome will be to redshirt Beard and let Max Dean contend for a title at 197.

Combine this group with NCAA Champs Roman Bravo-Young, Nick Lee, Carter Starocci, Aaron Brooks, and a healthy Greg Kerkvliet? *Cue Clay Davis from The Wire*

It’s no wonder I went with my

100% homer pick

brain and am going with the Nittany Lions to lead the pack next season.