How Penn State Wrestling transfer at 125 impacts Nittany Lions’ biggest need

Penn State Wrestling is getting another top-level wrestler in its room as former Ohio State grappler Will Betancourt transfers to the Nittany Lions

Former Buckeye wrestler Will Betancourt announced he is leaving Columbus and heading to Happy Valley to wrestle for Cael Sanderson and the Penn State Nittany Lions and compete for a spot at 125.

Betancourt, a former top 15 recruit nationally, originally signed with Lock Haven following high school. However after one season, he then transferred to Ohio State to wrestle for Tom Ryan and the Buckeyes.

But now Will is bringing his talents to State College!

How Betancourt fits with Penn State Wrestling’s biggest need

This past season, Betancourt wrestled at 133 and he competed in several tournaments including the Michigan State Open, Ohio Intercollegiate Open, Storm Open, and Purple Raider Open.

Will put together a 15-6 record on the year and wasn’t able to crack the Buckeye lineup with the exception of two matches in the Michigan and Ohio State duals.

Betancourt was a three-time PIAA State Qualifier and won the PA state title at 120 in 2020.

And as I mentioned earlier in the article, Will announced he is going to hit the Nittany Lion wrestling room and compete at 125, as this is the weight he feels most comfortable at. So what does this mean?

Well, it might mean several things.

Maybe the coaching staff is concerned about Robbie Howard’s progress in regards to his past injuries. This means if they are concerned then that makes me concerned because Howard looks like he could be a highly competitive wrestler for the Nittany Lions going forward. Assuming his shoulder can hold up.

This could also mean the staff may not be sold on Gary Steen at 125, who was a 2021 recruit. Steen put together a 5-5 record this past season while competing in the Clarion Open, David Lehman Open, and Mat Town Open II tournaments.

But it could also mean the coaching staff is hedging their bets on what Roman Bravo-Young is going to do next season. If he decides to hang up his Penn State singlet, then Howard or Steen could maybe house several plates of fries to get up to 133.

Or it could just mean Betancourt wants to compete with the best in the best wrestling room in the country.

I’ll just go with this one for now.