Former Nebraska 3x NCAA qualifier Lenny Pinto commits to Rutgers

Former Nebraska three-time NCAA qualifier Lenny Pinto committed to Rutgers out of the transfer portal. He reunites with former teammate Mikey Labriola, who will enter his second year on the Scarlet Knights staff.

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. The 2025-26 season will be his final year of eligibility.

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.

Lenny Pinto latest Rutgers Wrestling transfer commit

Lenny Pinto was the latest Rutgers commit via the transfer portal among the upper weights. Michigan State 197 pounder Remy Cotton announced his commitment Tuesday.

Cotton went 13-14 in 2024-25 but qualified for the NCAA Tournament as a redshirt freshman. He’ll have three years of eligibility remaining.

The two transfers will likely slot in at 174 (Pinto) and 197 (Cotton) in next year’s lineup. Rutgers graduated Jackson Turley at 174, a 2021 All-American and four-time NCAA qualifier. In addition, the Scarlet Knights saw the retirement of 2021 All-American and three-time qualifier John Poznanski (197).

With the veteran additions, Rutgers will look to send at least seven NCAA qualifiers back to the tournament in 2026, an active streak, and get All-Americans back on the podium after missing out in 2025.