Penn State wrestling officially inks No. 1 Class of 2025 recruit PJ Duke
The nation’s No. 1 Class of 2025 wrestling recruit is officially part of the Penn State program. Minisink, N.Y., senior PJ Duke signed with the Lions on Wednesday during the early signing period. The three-time New York state champ, two-time U.S. World team member, and the recent 70-kilogram Bill Farrell Tournament winner, a senior level event at which he was named the outstanding wrestler, has been committed to head coach Cael Sanderson’s program since last year.
“There are a lot of things I’m looking forward to, but I think the next level partners and being able to wrestle with them, I think that’s where I’m going to be able to jump levels,” Duke told Blue-White Illustrated last September. “The coaching staff is amazing. And, the coaching staff and the partners are going to change my abilities.
“I’m going to set my standards high and shoot for the stars. If there are some bumps in the road and it doesn’t happen, so be it. But there are a lot of good people in the room that can teach me about life and wrestling.”
More on PJ Duke
Duke, a former high school teammate of Penn State Class of 2024 signee Zack Ryder, is MatScout’s No. 1 Class of 2025 recruit. He is also its top pound-for-pound wrestler in the country and No. 1 at 160 pounds. He projects to wrestle at 165 pounds in college.
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“It has been an absolute pleasure having PJ in our program,” Minisink Valley coach Kevin Gallagher told BWI. “PJ is a generational talent. And, when he wrestles I am as much a fan as I am a coach. PJ is relentless on the mat, always attacking and wanting to score more points. PJ is also relentless in his pursuit of excellence.
“I have heard a lot of great things said about PJ and how good he is but people have to know that he is that good because his work ethic is incredible and because he absolutely loves wrestling. Off the mat PJ is one of the most liked and respected students in the school by his peers as well as faculty, staff and administration. I am so happy for PJ and his family. Penn State is getting a great kid on and off the mat. Minisink Valley Wrestling fans will be making quite a few trips to Penn State over the next 4-5 years with the hope of both PJ and Zack Ryder in the lineup.”
Sizing up the Penn State Class of 2025
Besides Duke, Penn State also picked up a commitment from Perrysburg, Ohio star Marcus Blaze on Wednesday. He is No. 3 on MatScouts big board. Other Class of 2025 recruits expected to sign with the Lions Wednesday include (all rankings courtesy of MatScout’s big board): New Jersey’s No. 16 William Henckel, State College Area’s No. 18 Asher Cunningham, Wyoming Seminary’s No. 42 Nate Desmond, and Central Mountain’s No. 47 Dalton Perry.
