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Cael Sanderson, Penn State Wrestling poised to add another national contender transfer?

By Chris Snyder

Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson reacts during the second session of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich.220317 Ncaa Session 2 Wr 010 Jpg
Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson reacts during the second session of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich.220317 Ncaa Session 2 Wr 010 Jpg /
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Could Penn State Wrestling be on the prowl for another huge pickup to further strengthen their  national championship lineup?

An intriguing option just emerged yesterday as Stanford’s Real Woods has graduated early with two years of eligibility remaining. And he indicated he’s on the move.

The Palo Alto standout has amassed an impressive 64-9 record in his brief Stanford career which includes a sixth place finish in the 2022 NCAA Wrestling Championships. The top eight finish marks the first time Woods has earned All-American honors.

Is Real going to leave the beautiful California weather to join the best wrestling program in the nation with the best coach and the best wrestling room?

If Real Woods decides to do so then it will obviously be a good choice.

Not for the weather though. Because for the majority of the year, central PA weather forces you to retreat to the friendly confines of the indoors where athletes can train their bodies to the limits on the mat.

*looks out his window* Yep, it’s snowing for the third straight day in late March.

For most of Cael Sanderson’s coaching career in Happy Valley, seeking out and landing transfers from other programs wasn’t a high priority. It was practically nonexistent.

But with the current landscape of collegiate athletics and the impact of a global pandemic, things have changed.

Just this past season, the Nittany Lions saw two coveted transfers hit the mat as Drew Hildebrandt and Max Dean committed to Cael Sanderson.

One of the transfers solidified the top of the lineup and was a big part of why Penn State had an undefeated dual season.

And the other transfer won an NCAA title.

So if Real Woods wants to be a real* contender, then hopping into his 1992 Chevy Cavalier and driving 30+ hours is his only option.

And if this does come to fruition, how will this impact Beau Bartlett and Shayne Van Ness? I think we’ll cross that bridge if and when we get there.

* – Sorry…I can’t help myself

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