Penn State wrestling makes short list for Minnesota transfer Aaron Nagao
Penn State wrestling needs a new starter at 133 pounds. The Lions have a transfer target in mind. And, they are on his short list.
Staying or moving on, across college wrestling, 2023
- Thread starter Tom McAndrew
- Start date
I have no way of confirming this, but Mineo is reporting that Aaron Nagao and Bernie Truax are "both visiting PSU this weekend."
@GregPickel
@GregPickel
I didn’t know Mesenbrink was even being connected to PSU. However, if he is a 157pounder and can step in right away, then that seems to indictate to me that there will be some movement in the lineup regarding weights. Maybe everyone moves up a weight starting with Levi?
Would make sense to get them on campus (and together) on Blue-White weekend. As far as Mesenbrink...why not? Plug in at 157, Levi can move up given it's been stated that holding 157 may be a challenge for him. Facundo may be the odd man out or if Carter goes the Olympic redshirt route, he can bump to 174.
Of course nothing is guaranteed, but I'm currently basking in the bitterness that is palpable from the Iowa fans and the myriad of excuses they are vomiting up at this point...it's glorious.
One other quick point on Nagao...the Iowa folks continue to pound the drum of he should go there to have the "best room" for his goals of competing for individual national championships, olympic titles, and world titles. It's a wash at best comparing the rooms (Spencer/Woods/Ayala vs. Howard/RBY/Gilman/Bartlett) and in my opinion advantage Penn State.
What are the Iowa fans going to say when Spencer leaves for a better training environment for his international career? That is going to happen at some point, if not soon. Not saying it will be to the NLWC, but I think there is a better chance than not that Spencer comes back home to PA to be in the best wrestling training environment in the country, bar none.
What are the Iowa fans going to say when Spencer leaves for a better training environment for his international career? That is going to happen at some point, if not soon. Not saying it will be to the NLWC, but I think there is a better chance than not that Spencer comes back home to PA to be in the best wrestling training environment in the country, bar none.
They do provide facts about their LW but so much is tied to Spencer Lee. With a healthy Lee, it's hard to argue they aren't correct that they have the better room for a LW. Hopefully PSU can solve that.
FWIW, I'm not sure how long RBY keeps wrestling.
You're right on RBY...he's headed to MMA, but wrestling will continue to be a part of his training regimen for MMA. I don't know all the minutia of the rules, but I'm sure he would continue to be welcome in the Penn State room if its not any sort of NCAA violation. Point being, with M2, Bo's facility and the NLWC, Penn State has the whole package.
I'd love to know how much time Bo spends in SC. While the coaches at ATT PG are great, he can't get in the sparring he needs there unless they bring guys in. He would have to spend time at another ATT...maybe Coconut Grove? Same will hold true for RBY if he joins ATT as well.
Facundo doesn't have near the size to bump up. Why does everyone think it is an easy thing to bump everyone up a weight class? When was the last time a time moved everyone up and actually had more success?
Spencer has said time and time again the he has no plans to leave iowa any time soon.
careful with how you're presenting this:
- RBY is going for the Olympics
- his plan is to migrate to MMA at some point after that, depending on his success level in FS/Olympics
- MMA-type training is something that a lot of the FS guys do at times. DT posted a tweet in the past week or so of him doing some MMA, and I don't believe he's interested in MMA when he's done with FS
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Does RBY have a decent chance of making the Olympics? I'm guessing he is going to be in a similar situation to Bo.
Isn’t Nick Lee also at NLWC? He’s a 141 so that’s considered a lightweight, no? He did have his way with Iowa’s Eierman?
Our room is better.
Our room is better.
No one said it is easy. It is all based on Cael saying he didn’t know how long Haines could hold 157. If Facundo can’t move up and Haines can’t hold 157 then Facundo is going to have his hands full keeping Haines from claiming his spot. There was also some rumors at the end of the season of Brooks moving up.
Awesome. Let’s go Coach Cael and staff. Definitely need Nagao at 133 and Truax at 197. Come wrestle for the best Coaching staff in the world $$$$
Yes. I think Nagao and Howard alone would make PSU the favorites.
I didn't give a timeframe, simply that is his destination...he has repeatedly said as much. My original point was actually that a reason for Nagao to come to Penn State was RBY in the room. Another poster said they weren't certain how long RBY would keep wrestling.
I would guess Cannon’s decision will give a good indication of what Nagao is doing. Cannon to PSU likely means no Nagao…Cannon to Rutgers probably means Nagao to Penn State. Doubtful that Cael strikes out on both and don’t know who is deciding first.
- 125 lbs.
- is a graduate transfer
- is coming from App. State
He went 0-2 in this year's NCAAs. He was seeded #5. However, he was upset in R1 by #28 seed Killian Cardinale (WVU), 3-2 (Cardinale had a great Nationals for a 28 seed, 8th), and then list in R1 of Consolations to Michael DeAugustino (NW) (who is also in the portal), 7-2.
Nebraska is trying to replace Liam Cronin @ 125, who was seeded #3 and finished 5th.
Perhaps this is the "big time transfer announcing today" that Nomad tweeted about this morning.
Greg - I understand that Bernie Truex is announcing tomorrow. Any scuttlebut on where he’s leaning?
Yeah, was just coming to post that:
I don't have any insight, no. If Brooks is bumping to 197 and Truax is filling 184, that would make some sense. Consensus is that Truax weighed in around 190 all year so 184 would he doable. Of course, Brooks could Olympic redshirt, too.
I’m thinking Brooks ORS & Truex fills in one of the 184 / 197 openings.
Come on over Bernie!
Dean was an undersized 197 so why wouldn’t Truax be successful? He already has been. But, it wouldn’t surprise me if both Cstar and AB take a year off to focus on freestyle. PSU will be dominant in 2023/24 no matter what happens. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
Mineo is hinting pretty strongly, without outright declaring, that Truax is headed our way.
No. And, trust me, I spent probably too much peering through the binoculars at the various recruiting sections in the stands during timeouts hoping to catch a glimpse, but I never did.