Where are Bo & Melvin going?

Where are Bo Bassett & Melvin Miller going?

  • Nebraska

  • an Ohio State

  • Oklahoma State

  • Virginia Tech

  • Penn State

  • @johnstownsteel's basement

  • Over the river and through the woods

  • Don't care

  • Other


Results are only viewable after voting.

dicemen99

All-Conference
Nov 15, 2005
3,008
2,318
113
If more people understood the “secret sauce” there without be a lot less angst on these boards.
Recruits come here because of Cael, the staff, the RTC, the location, the value system. Not the other way around. Recruits don’t have anything to do with those being in place. Despite any misguided sentiments otherwise.
Unless those things change, the recruits that we get will be the right ones. The ones we don’t, won’t.
 

El_Jefe

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2021
1,469
4,088
113
If more people understood the “secret sauce” there without be a lot less angst on these boards.
Recruits come here because of Cael, the staff, the RTC, the location, the value system. Not the other way around. Recruits don’t have anything to do with those being in place. Despite any misguided sentiments otherwise.
Unless those things change, the recruits that we get will be the right ones. The ones we don’t, won’t.
It's classic Penn State Pessimism. If we don't get every single top recruit, plus every mid-level recruit as depth, then we've already lost.

If we do get all of them, then we merely haven't lost yet.
 

Sullivan

All-Conference
Oct 12, 2021
856
1,196
93
It's classic Penn State Pessimism. If we don't get every single top recruit, plus every mid-level recruit as depth, then we've already lost.

If we do get all of them, then we merely haven't lost yet.

If all of the top recruits came to Penn State, we'd have 100 guys in the room :ROFLMAO:
 
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El_Jefe

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2021
1,469
4,088
113
I think cael knows but he’s not gonna chase. Which is fine, doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a great recruit or that cael wouldn’t want him.
Nick Feldman might disagree. Feldman did not have PSU in his top 6 schools, and Cael persisted until Feldman committed to Tan Tom (or possibly until he signed his NLI).

The joke was that Feldman committed to get Cael off his back -- but he committed to Ohio State, where nobody gets PSU Wrestling off their backs.

If Cael is hands off with the Bassett family, it's safe to say that he doesn't want them.
 
Last edited:
Feb 6, 2018
187
360
63
The longer this drags on (and it's hard to believe I am saying this, but it's true) the worse I feel for Iowa. Really!

No program needed him/them more, and of you strip away whatever happened between Tom and Bo's parents, and the RTC situation, I think Bo's style and temperament is the right fit for that program and the coaches personalities.

On balance, I do want a competitive Iowa just to keep things interesting, and remaining a foil for OSU. Iowa's losing Bo is starting to look like one of the last straws in a slow decline to a competitive tier below both Nebraska and Oky State. The Hawks have some good recruits for sure and the money to buy transfers, but the luster is wearing off that program post Spencer in a big way.

Maybe Bo will shock the world and recommit, but I don't think so. I also will not be suprised at all to see him commit, finish as a high AA for his first two years, and then portal/Nil somewhere else (excluding PSU on both ends of course). I think I have seen enough to speculate that very little moss grows on that stone.

Wherever the destination, he will remain entertaining to watch, and here's to Melvin Miller growing into a man and controlling his own destiny.
 

Random4598375

Redshirt
Jan 10, 2020
18
43
13
According to about a dozen other recruits, if Cael wants you, he will chase you and chase you hard. I do not think he cares if he gets Bo or not. JMHO.
I'm guessing he probably did pursue pretty hard in the first round and made his pitch and Bo decided to go in a different direction. Now, the pitch isn't needed anymore. The original offer that wasn't good enough the first time is still on the table, take it or leave it. No need to pursue anymore, but I'm sure Cael would welcome Bo with open arms if he decides to take it, which I think (opinion only, no insider information) is unlikely.
 

Matter7172

Sophomore
Oct 30, 2021
56
193
33
On balance, I do want a competitive Iowa just to keep things interesting, and remaining a foil for OSU. Iowa's losing Bo is starting to look like one of the last straws in a slow decline to a competitive tier below both Nebraska and Oky State. The Hawks have some good recruits for sure and the money to buy transfers, but the luster is wearing off that program post Spencer in a big way.
God bless you. There's about 20 programs (including 4 in Pennsylvania alone) that I'd like to see drub or be able to drub Iowa every season. I wouldn't mind if there were two "perennial top ten" teams coming in around 39th every season.
 

Buckeyebacker

Redshirt
Jul 3, 2025
2
2
3
Kind of surprised by some of these comments. Bo was ready to commit to PSU the day before Bob loaded up the brinks truck. Then about a month ago, Bo was ready to commit again to PSU and things blew up. Cael made a very hard press 2 times.
 

Nitlion1986

Senior
Apr 13, 2024
160
435
63
Kind of surprised by some of these comments. Bo was ready to commit to PSU the day before Bob loaded up the brinks truck. Then about a month ago, Bo was ready to commit again to PSU and things blew up. Cael made a very hard press 2 times.
Many are willing to speak on Cael's behalf.
I know the Thursday prior to the Iowa a s s kicking the assumption inside Lorenzo was Bo was almost certainly coming to PSU.
 

CarolinaFan1

Sophomore
Jun 7, 2025
56
198
33
Kind of surprised by some of these comments. Bo was ready to commit to PSU the day before Bob loaded up the brinks truck. Then about a month ago, Bo was ready to commit again to PSU and things blew up. Cael made a very hard press 2 times.

Ironic that Bob, in an effort to gain ground on PSU by “loading up the brinks truck” and impacting Bo to PSU, ultimately just put more distance between Iowa and the field. Assuming Bo and Melvin go to Nebraska as expected, Iowa will now be consistently behind at least Okie State and Nebraska in the race for 2nd for the foreseeable future. They then continue the death spiral of top recruits going to an even greater number of better programs.
 
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Nitlion1986

Senior
Apr 13, 2024
160
435
63
Ironic that Bob, in an effort to gain ground on PSU by “loading up the brinks truck” and impacting Bo to PSU, ultimately just put more distance between Iowa and the field. Assuming Bo and Melvin go to Nebraska as expected, Iowa will now be consistently behind at least Okie State and Nebraska in the race for 2nd for the foreseeable future. They then continue the death spiral of top recruits going to an even greater number of better programs.
Bob has it covered. Half a million per starting transfer times (eventually) 10 starters. 6 mill a year for 4th or 5th place trophies.
 

McScoreley

Senior
Oct 31, 2021
114
536
93
From someone who was on the team during the time, Cael's "I want kids who want to be here" all stems from a lesson learned from Nick Suriano. Long story short, he was a kid that needed extra convincing, despite the fact it all made so much sense for him. We had an opening at 125 for him for 4 years immediately, was close to home and obviously in Nick's own words "Penn State is the best, I train to be a part of the best" So the fact the kid needed extra convincing was always a little off. Almost identical parallels to Bassett plus a documented pretty involved father.

I think the Suriano cost Penn State Spencer narrative is very false, Spencer was always an Iowa kid and he wasn't going to be scared by competition, let alone one that most weren't sure would be a career 125.

However, the quest to get Nick Suriano 100% cost Cael someone like Pat Glory or Nick Piccininni, kids who were both in his backyard and wanted in. Instead, he was left with a huge hole at 125 for many years. Both were top prospects, could have been even better at PSU and would have solved 125 issues for years.

So long story short, I think people have the wrong idea of PSU recruiting. The idea Cael sits by his desk and just waits for phone calls is wrong, Cael is pursuing top kids hard. However, once he let's a kid know his interest and offer, what is there to say? If you have more questions, reach out. Otherwise, let Clay/Adam (I'm assuming that's who runs them) know you want to schedule your official visit and commit. Otherwise, he'll assume you're a "no"

It takes a very rare exception for extra convincing, the prospect has to truly be difference making, Marcus Blaze was one of them. That one was a "by any means" type of recruitment. PJ Duke didn't need very much for his first commitment (though he had to be more or less rerecruited when he was training at Lehigh and almost flipped) Jax Forrest is a kid Cael knows can't be sold no matter what, he's been seemingly married to Oklahoma State before DT got there even. Bo Bassett? Yeah no, after a point you're just like it's not worth it and both Brands and DT felt the same way.
 

El_Jefe

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2021
1,469
4,088
113
However, the quest to get Nick Suriano 100% cost Cael someone like Pat Glory or Nick Piccininni, kids who were both in his backyard and wanted in. Instead, he was left with a huge hole at 125 for many years. Both were top prospects, could have been even better at PSU and would have solved 125 issues for years.
Neither is true.

Pich was a year before Suriano and had PSU as one of his 3 finalists. He committed to OKST 11 months before Suriano committed to PSU.

Glory was 2 years after Suriano in HS, and committed to Princeton several montys after Cruiseliner Nick left. In any case, he eliminated PSU fairly early and talked down about the school. It wasn't nearly as bad as Robbie Howard on Rutger, but he wasn't coming here.
 

El_Jefe

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2021
1,469
4,088
113
Adding to this: Cael continued to recruit lightweights after Suriano committed.

In the next HS class, Cael recruited Lee, Fix, Jason Renteria, and Brandon Courtney (at least).

Point being that Suriano's commitment didn't stop Cael.
 

McScoreley

Senior
Oct 31, 2021
114
536
93
Neither is true.

Pich was a year before Suriano and had PSU as one of his 3 finalists. He committed to OKST 11 months before Suriano committed to PSU.

Glory was 2 years after Suriano in HS, and committed to Princeton several montys after Cruiseliner Nick left. In any case, he eliminated PSU fairly early and talked down about the school. It wasn't nearly as bad as Robbie Howard on Rutger, but he wasn't coming here.
Both are true actually. Cael didn't pursue Piccininni because he was confident in Suriano, who was a bigger prize.

Glory of course talked down on PSU when it wasn't an option and hew as comparing it academically (saying something about you go to Delbarton to get an Ivy degree) But it wasn't a well kept secret how much he wanted in. In fact that super poster back in the day bopper1998 who knew everything about NJ confirmed it multiple times he wanted in.
 
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Headlock

Sophomore
Dec 28, 2023
92
142
33
Coach Sanderson recruits well as has been amplified here in many posts. And he leaves no stone unturned for the very special talents. My speculation is that he is very aware of how the incoming wrestlers will fit and in no circumstances will allow his recruiting (NIL or otherwise) to create divides on the team that impact the culture he built at PSU. Wanting Bo is a given. Wanting him at any cost is, in his mind, a bridge too far.
 

Headlock

Sophomore
Dec 28, 2023
92
142
33
Both are true actually. Cael didn't pursue Piccininni because he was confident in Suriano, who was a bigger prize.

Glory of course talked down on PSU when it wasn't an option and hew as comparing it academically (saying something about you go to Delbarton to get an Ivy degree) But it wasn't a well kept secret how much he wanted in. In fact that super poster back in the day bopper1998 who knew everything about NJ confirmed it multiple times he wanted in.
El Jefe probably always got an A in homework!!
 

Biffkin

Junior
Jun 29, 2004
192
320
63
Let's give credit where credit is due to Cael. There is a new recruiting landscape in today's college wrestling world with addition of NIL money. Cael has navigated the issue pretty well. Program performance and excellence still sell. Add the value of a strong Olympic training center as an option for recruits. You have Cael and the best staff; you have performance and excellence; the money is there when needed and the Olympic training center. The package for top recruits is undeniable.
 
Jun 23, 2025
46
98
18
From someone who was on the team during the time, Cael's "I want kids who want to be here" all stems from a lesson learned from Nick Suriano. Long story short, he was a kid that needed extra convincing, despite the fact it all made so much sense for him. We had an opening at 125 for him for 4 years immediately, was close to home and obviously in Nick's own words "Penn State is the best, I train to be a part of the best" So the fact the kid needed extra convincing was always a little off. Almost identical parallels to Bassett plus a documented pretty involved father.

I think the Suriano cost Penn State Spencer narrative is very false, Spencer was always an Iowa kid and he wasn't going to be scared by competition, let alone one that most weren't sure would be a career 125.

However, the quest to get Nick Suriano 100% cost Cael someone like Pat Glory or Nick Piccininni, kids who were both in his backyard and wanted in. Instead, he was left with a huge hole at 125 for many years. Both were top prospects, could have been even better at PSU and would have solved 125 issues for years.

So long story short, I think people have the wrong idea of PSU recruiting. The idea Cael sits by his desk and just waits for phone calls is wrong, Cael is pursuing top kids hard. However, once he let's a kid know his interest and offer, what is there to say? If you have more questions, reach out. Otherwise, let Clay/Adam (I'm assuming that's who runs them) know you want to schedule your official visit and commit. Otherwise, he'll assume you're a "no"

It takes a very rare exception for extra convincing, the prospect has to truly be difference making, Marcus Blaze was one of them. That one was a "by any means" type of recruitment. PJ Duke didn't need very much for his first commitment (though he had to be more or less rerecruited when he was training at Lehigh and almost flipped) Jax Forrest is a kid Cael knows can't be sold no matter what, he's been seemingly married to Oklahoma State before DT got there even. Bo Bassett? Yeah no, after a point you're just like it's not worth it and both Brands and DT felt the same way.
Can you give some more info on the blaze commitment? Not sure who else he would have had a difficult decision between. Big time homebody for tOSU?
 
Jul 1, 2025
262
427
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These boards should always tolerate a healthy and respectful exchange of thoughts and ideas. Glad you posted your thinking!
I think we’ve all made a breakthrough today. See you at the next session