Over/Under set at 18 Threads about Bo on Hawks site--- Easy money to take the over-
PSU Recruiting Thread
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Big pick up for Iowa. Wasn’t expecting that. Thought for sure it would be Ok St. Don’t know what the rest of their team will look like, but Ferrari and Bassett are probably going to win multiple NCAA titles. I know PSU has Marcus Blaze coming in next year and I’m thinking he’s 141 pounder. I see Jax Forrest as 149 pounder in college. Does PSU have a shot at him to replace Van Ness or is he pretty much locked into Okie State? Forrest doesn’t go to Iowa, does he?
To refresh memories: Cael cleaned up the 2024 and 2025 classes. Everyone else is playing catchup.
Of the 3 top recruits in 2026 (Bassett, Forrest, Ross): Taylor and Brands have split 2 of them; 1 remains.
The absolute worst-case scenario was Taylor getting all 3, on top of Lockett (2025) and the several other good recruits he has landed so far. That won't happen now.
But even that worst-case scenario doesn't catch OKST up to PSU.
Of the 3 top recruits in 2026 (Bassett, Forrest, Ross): Taylor and Brands have split 2 of them; 1 remains.
The absolute worst-case scenario was Taylor getting all 3, on top of Lockett (2025) and the several other good recruits he has landed so far. That won't happen now.
But even that worst-case scenario doesn't catch OKST up to PSU.
Wasn’t Larry Lee instrumental in Spencer going to Iowa also? Wasn’t he the source of the infamous 3 inch binder?
Well, Cael had a nice little run. That’s it. 
Spencer picked Iowa because he attended Olympic Trials at Carver Hawkeye Arena, sat next to McDonough, and saw both finalists at his weight were from Iowa.
The 3-inch binder was Larry's compilation of Spencer's recruiting, that he handed to Brands once the family moved to Iowa City.
2022 Ohio State got 3 of the top 5 recruits. Are they a top 5 team this season? We Are loaded.
Forrest has been a lot quieter about his recruitment. PSU still has a shot, but nobody really knows who's ahead for him.
Iowa still needs a lot more than this. Of their freshmen:
- 141 Block is pulling too much weight and needs to go up, oops there's Bassett.
- 157 Estrada is having a decent year, but not one that projects to titles. And Brands blew this year of his eligibility by having him fill in for Teemer too many times (with other options available).
- 184 Arnold is likely on the bench if he can't get back down to 174.
- 184 Ferrari is good. Multiple titles? Pump the brakes. He's a Ferrari, and Ryder and McEnelly among others will have a say.
- HWT Kueter is trying football again next year.
Of their 2025 commits:
- 133 DeLuca (NJ) is a top-15 guy, but has gotten passed by Desmond in the past year.
- The Miller twins from Ohio (184/197) are probably high-end depth.
- 197 Ludington (NJ) is a top-10 guy. Very good flip from Arizona State.
They still need a 125, 141, 165, and possibly/probably 157, 174, and HWT. Plus depth at most weights.
Agree he never seemed that warm on PSU. I thought he has OSU bound. Good luck to him at Iowa gonna be a long uphill battle for the Iowa team the next 5 years catching PSU. See El Jefe post
And the binder was supposed to be a wake up call to Brands and help him navigate recruiting better. It was a transient aid until today. We will see if their recruiting luck continues. As we saw with Lee, getting one guy doesn’t help the team as a whole. They had all those Young Guns kids come with Lee and they still only got one team title while he was there.
3 firsts and a AA. I think Spencer did just fine.
In 2023 we "settled" for the #25 ranked wrestler after "missing" on highly ranked tallent. That guy turned into Tyler Kasak. I think we will be fine.
Where he is slotted to wrestle, psu has Van Ness and Kasak, both soph eligibility. Sealey in redshirt and Duke coming in. I think everything will be ok.
There are likely any number of truths behind the decision and likely only the Bassetts and those close to them know the real reasons why they chose Iowa. Penn State isn't for everyone as much as we would like for it to be. On the surface the decision doesn't make any sense given what Bassett openly set forth as the things he was looking for in a school and program. Penn State fit all of that to a "T." The "no room at the inn" could have some teeth given I don't see him beating out Van Ness or Kasak in the next two years if he feels he will continue to grow. If he intends to go 141, that weight is clearing out for Penn State, but my guess is Nagao, Davis or even Blaze will grow into that weight. So, much more crowded at Penn State and maybe he didn't want to chance sitting for the next couple of years. I do agree, though, that a competitor like Bo would not shy away from competition...he never has.
The very quick announcing of his decision screams of an NIL offer that likely he nor the family could refuse. It's easy to be on the outside looking in having a holier than thou attitude around making a decision primarily based on $. But, if you had the chance to set up your child for life and that $ is on the table in front of you, would you really pass that up? I know it shouldn't be about that and I am 100% on board with how Cael runs his program and he has earned the right to not get into pissing matches with other schools on NIL deals with recruits. The fact of the matter is, he doesn't have to. At this point in his program, you are either on the train or getting run over by it, no matter how good you are.
I think it is likely some combination of the above factors sprinkled in with some "Spencer effect" that led to Bo choosing Iowa. I'm totally ok with it and love that there has really never been a "can't miss" recruit for Cael in this program.
Btw, this is just a verbal commitment and sometimes things change, especially if decisions were made on the emotions of a bag of $ put in front of you. I guess we'll see how it all plays out.
The very quick announcing of his decision screams of an NIL offer that likely he nor the family could refuse. It's easy to be on the outside looking in having a holier than thou attitude around making a decision primarily based on $. But, if you had the chance to set up your child for life and that $ is on the table in front of you, would you really pass that up? I know it shouldn't be about that and I am 100% on board with how Cael runs his program and he has earned the right to not get into pissing matches with other schools on NIL deals with recruits. The fact of the matter is, he doesn't have to. At this point in his program, you are either on the train or getting run over by it, no matter how good you are.
I think it is likely some combination of the above factors sprinkled in with some "Spencer effect" that led to Bo choosing Iowa. I'm totally ok with it and love that there has really never been a "can't miss" recruit for Cael in this program.
Btw, this is just a verbal commitment and sometimes things change, especially if decisions were made on the emotions of a bag of $ put in front of you. I guess we'll see how it all plays out.
3 Natty's for Lee doesn't measure up? I'm totally a PSU guy, but 3 Natty's is pretty impressive.
If he wasn't going to PSU, I think this is the better outcome. Iowa is on the decline and this won't move that needle. I was more concerned about DT picking him up and honestly thought that is where he would choose. I'm waaaayyyy more concerned with OSU in the future than I am Iowa. And better yet, I'm actually hoping things work out for DT there, it would be nice to have a rooting interest outside of PSU and I will always support DT wherever he is at.
And the winner for dumbest post of 2025 has been crowned on February 4th.
Also two time Hodge winner. One could make a reasonable case that an injury is what kept him from a fourth national championship.
I think Kasak was the 10th ranked wrestler in the Flo 2023 rankings and won a U17 World Silver Medal. He was a two time PIAA State Finalist at BECA winning one before moving to the NLWC for his senior year. His resume was pretty solid.
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Come on man. He was a 3x NCAA champ. He absolutely lived up to expectations.
I really think the depth at PSU is a major reason why we didn't land Bo. Could he have won the spot? Sure. But it certainly is no guarantee. Of course NIL likely played a huge role as well. He has the talent to win a title anywhere but he's going to have to work for it. It is not a sure thing.
Possibly life changing money, ask David Taylor. There is a number hard to say no to.
Guessing not great for us if DT just was visiting him yesterday?
Jax Forrest recruiting update: Penn State makes final four; when will the top 2026 wrestler decide?
Penn State wrestling is one of four finalists for top Class of 2026 recruit Jax Forrest. Here’s when he’ll decide.
Jax Forrest recruiting update: Penn State makes final four; when will the top 2026 wrestler decide?
Penn State wrestling is one of four finalists for top Class of 2026 recruit Jax Forrest. Here’s when he’ll decide.www.on3.com
Oh boy, here we go.
I think if SL would have went 6-1-1-1 with 2 Hodges no one would think of make a statement like this.
Although SL's own expectations were probably undefeated 4x champ. He therefore probably didn't meet Sr level expectations either. I doubt Olympic silver was on the list.
Bassett could be a 4 time champ and 2 time hodge winner, if Penn State wins 3 titles in 4 years, like with SL, I'll take it.
Bo going to Iowa probably saved Brands job for at least 5 more years. I’m ok with that.
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We'll find out anout Forrest tomorrow.
I don't think we did more with the Raneys than kick the tires -- they're likely 133/141 and we're in good shape there. Have heard Missouri, Illinois, OKST anOSU, and Iowa. FWIW, they train at the Illinois RTC.
Mocco is probably wide open. There's some relationship with him training at M2 and Bo's gym. But he got squashed by Cole, so he can be a 4-yr starter elsewhere. I'd assume that's what he does.
IDK if Cael is poking around HWT Coby Merrill, who's likely not joining his brother after Taylor landed Ross. But he's probably in the Mocco range -- too good to sit but not beating Cole.
After those guys, I think 2026 will be depth only.
Haven't looked hard at 2027 yet, but I'd expect lighter recruiting then too. Melvin Miller is probably headed to Iowa with his cousin. After him, IIRC the meat of the class is in the 125-141 range where we're young and loaded -- Sidun, Bachmann, and Kenny.
Damn it; give me a little time dude!
As you pointed out in a previous post, Cael and Co cleaned house in the last 2-3 recruiting classes. They have a lot of talent with a lot of eligibility left. They should be in good shape.
Spitballing on Mocco a little -- no inside info, so take this FWIW:
He has taken visits to PSU, Ohio State, NC State, Iowa, and OKST (that we know of).
Based on the situations at each school, I'd guess 1 Ohio State, 2 NC State, 3 Iowa, 4 PSU, OKST DQ after landing Ross in the same class. NC State and Iowa could switch spots depending on what he values.
Rosters: 4-yr starter at NC State and probably at Ohio State (I think he beats out Neves, but not a guarantee). Overlap at Iowa (1 yr with Kueter) and PSU (2 yrs with Mirasola). Kueter is going back to football this year. Cole dominated Mocco this past summer, clearly well ahead.
RTCs/training partners: PSU has the best situation in the world. Ohio State has Dhesi, Hemida, and Feldman, and Moore as an RTC coach. NC State has Hidlay and Trumble. Iowa's RTC is a wasteland.
Coaching/development: 3 of the 4 have good track records of developing 197/HWTs. 3 of the 4 are also calm, stabilizing influences over their rosters. Iowa lags far behind in both categories.
Relationships: His dad was coached by Brands (assistant coach) both years at Iowa. He's been to State College to work with M2 and Bo Nickal's gym. His dad had no overlap with Ryan at Iowa or Pop at OKST. I don't know if he attended camps at any of these schools. He's ineligible to train at any of their RTCs without a USA Wrestling waiver.