Report: Nebraska wrestling 3x NCAA qualifier Lenny Pinto enters NCAA transfer portal

Nebraska wrestling three-time NCAA qualifier Lenny Pinto entered the NCAA transfer portal, per Pat Mineo. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

Pinto qualified for the NCAA Tournament in all three of his varsity seasons with the Huskers. He was a Blood Round finisher in the last two seasons, falling one win shy of the All-American podium.

Following a redshirt year, Pinto went 22-11 at 184 pounds, qualifying for the tournament in Tulsa. The following season, he went 24-6 and made it to the Blood Round.

The 2024-25 campaign was different as Nebraska shook up the lineup, dropping Pinto down to 174 pounds and 197 pounder and All-American SIlas Allred to 184. Pinto went 24-7 this past season but fell to Cornell’s Simon Ruiz in the Blood Round. Overall, Pinto is 70-24 in his career.

Now, he’ll hit the portal and explore his options for his final season. Meanwhile, Nebraska heads into next season fresh off a 2nd place finish at NCAAs behind the dynasty that is Penn State.

The Huskers had eight All-Americans, three NCAA finalists and two national champions under Mark Manning this season. Manning also joined On3 Wrestling to recap the season and dive more into the program.

Nebraska loses Lenny Pinto to NCAA transfer portal

Pinto is a big loss for the lineup, but Nebraska brings a lot back in 2025-26. Ridge Lovett won’t be back as he ended his career as a national champ, but he’ll be around in the room helping develop the next guys up while pursuing his senior level goals.

“Ridge is a leader, and I knew when we recruited him that he was a leader of men,” Manning told On3. “He’s a leader because of his work ethic, his determination, how he carries himself, his confidence, you know, he’s not cocky, he’s confident. And there’s a big difference. And I think Ridge is, you know, his swag just really rubs off on the other guys on our team and you know, Brock Hardy brings a different aspect than Ridge, but they’re both amazing leaders, and they’re about the team.” 

Lovett finished his career 99-21, per WrestleStat. He was a five-time NCAA qualifier and three-time All-American, finishing as the 2025 NCAA champion.

Manning and crew are going to run back six of their eight All-Americans for the 2025-26 season. Nebraska finished 2nd at NCAAs, a historic finish with 117 team points. The Huskers established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, once again, moving forward.