After winning another NCAA title, what's next for Penn State wrestling?

Penn State wrestling is fresh off its latest NCAA Championship.

The Nittany Lions went five-for-five in the finals to blow out Michigan and everyone else in the team race during this year’s national tournament in Detroit, Mich.

“I think these guys care about each other and they compete as individuals,” head coach Cael Sanderson said last Saturday, per PennLive.

“But winning as a team is a lot more fun. You go in as an individual but if your team doesn’t do well … well, it’s just a different experience. We just have a great group of kids and they’re competitors. They step up in these big moments and they did this weekend.”

The celebration continues in State College. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t turn an eye to what lies ahead as the team looks to continue its streak of greatness in 2022-2023.

Here’s what we’re watching in late March, months before the dual season begins again.

What will Roman Bravo-Young do?

There may be no bigger question facing Penn State wrestling from a lineup perspective than this one.

Two-time NCAA 133-pound champ Roman Bravo-Young said back in November that this would be his last ride as a Nittany Lion. However, he does have eligibility remaining and could come back to try and secure a three-peat. It’s believed that securing a name, image, and likeness deal could be a key factor in making that a reality. A new NIL collective, Success with Honor, launched Wednesday. It is expected to play a role in making those kinds of opportunities happen for athletes in all Penn State sports.

However, RBY could decide it’s time to move onto either Olympic freestyle competition with the NLWC, perhaps mixed martial arts, or something else. Time will tell, but this will be a major topic of conversation until a decision is made. As we’ll break down below, this weight class could be a problem spot for the Nittany Lions if the Tuscon, Ariz., native doesn’t come back.

Will Penn State and Cael Sanderson agree on a new contract?

Penn State does not disclose Sanderson’s contract. It only does so for its head football and men’s basketball coaches. So, it’s unclear what stage it is in ahead of the 2022-2023 season.

However, in light of both the major extension for James Franklin and a big contract elsewhere in the wrestling world, a new set of terms certainly seems to be in order.

Iowa just signed its longtime wrestling coach, Tom Brands, to a contract extension that will keep him with the Hawkeyes through the 2029 season. It will pay him the following amounts per school year, according to a copy of the contract obtained by KCRG-TV:

2023 – 2024: $625,000

2024 – 2025: $700,000

2025 – 2026: $725,000

2026 – 2027: $750,000

2027 – 2028: $775,000

2028 – 2029: $800,000

We don’t know what Sanderson currently makes. But, it goes without saying that no one should outearn the Penn State leader, as he has lapped the competition nationally.

Terms of a new deal, if it happens, might never be disclosed. In fact, news of it might not even be made public at all. However, it has every reason to get done before next year.

Who will stay and who will go?

Bravo-Young isn’t the only wrestler with a decision to make.

Max Dean, the new 197-pound NCAA Champion, could return if he wanted to. The former Cornell star who joined Penn State before the 2021-2022 season has not yet made public what he plans to do. But, he does have eligibility remaining and could return to try and win a second straight title.

Then, there is the possibility of inbound or outbound transfer portal news. Penn State has the most competitive room in college wrestling. It means that some very talented competitors are left off the mat each year. Thus, it would be no great shock to see someone(s) decide to find a starting spot elsewhere this offseason.

Conversely, as we saw with Penn State adding Drew Hildebrandt for the second half of the 2021-2022 season, Penn State will not be shy about adding wrestlers who could help push it over the top.

How will the next Penn State lineup take shape?

We can be sure of a couple of spots. There are big questions at others, however.

Let’s start with the certainties. Penn State’s upper weights are mostly intact, as Carter Starocci (174 pounds), Aaron Brooks (184), and Greg Kerkvliet (heavyweight) will all be back. Michael Beard, then, would take over 197 for Dean if he doesn’t return.

Most feel confident that 141 pounds will be manned by Beau Bartlett. He’s expected to drop down from 149 now that Nick Lee has graduated.

That all leaves holes for Penn State at 125, maybe 133, 149, 157, 165.

The Lions added Ohio State transfer Will Betancourt this week to compete with Robbie Howard, who’s coming off an injury, Gary Steen, and Baylor Shunk at 125.

At 133, if Bravo-Young isn’t back, it’s not crazy to think Howard could bump up. Brandon Meredith and David Evans also return, but it’s a weight that has no clear answer if it needs a new starter at the moment.

With Bartlett likely moving to 141, the path is open for Shayne Van Ness to step in at 149 during his second season as a Nittany Lion. He was 2-0 on the mat this year but medically forfeited out of the Clarion Open in November and did not wrestle again. His health status remains a question mark.

At 157, Penn State returns Tony Negron and Joe Lee. Newcomer Levi Haines will push both, however. The former PIAA champ didn’t compete at the high school level as a senior and instead performed well wrestling in open college tournaments.

Finally, at 165, Creighton Edsell returns but many believe second-year wrestler Alex Facundo will win that job. The four-time Michigan state champion was 12-3 as a freshman in open competition with three pins.