Penn State wrestling offseason outlook: Will Aaron Nagao man 133 again?
Penn State wrestling finally saw Roman Bravo-Young’s time in a blue-and-white singlet end following the conclusion of the 2022-2023 season. It sent head coach Cael Sanderson and his staff to the transfer portal in search of help. It found what it was looking for in former NCAA All-American Aaron Nagao. He joined the team ahead of the 2023-2024 season and won a starting job. Will he hold it again this season?
Our offseason outlook series moves on with a look at the 133-pound weight class. Read our 125-pound offseason outlook story HERE.
Recapping 133 pounds for Penn State in 2023-2024
Nagao came to Penn State and made quick work of winning the 133-pound job. After going 22-6 a year go at Minnesota, he was hoping for a quick and smooth start in State College. His season did not go as planned, however. After a 4-0 start at the Black Knight Invitational, the California native would have an up-and-down dual meet season plagued by an undisclosed illness that caused him to not be on the mat for some matches and not 100 percent for others even when he was.
Nagao would ultimately finish third at Big Tens and finish off the All-American podium at nationals, where he went just 2-3. When he did not compete, Baylor Shunk typically took his spot in the lineup.
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Who is back, coming in, for the Lions?
Nagao leads the way. Shunk’s time in State College has ended. On the official roster, 133-pound wrestlers with eligibility left to use include sophomore Kysion Garcia and juniors Sean Wang and Karl Shindledecker. Newcomer Hayden Cunningham could project for this weight class. The Class of 2024 and son of Penn State assistant Casey arrives this summer.
The wild card here is Braeden Davis, of course. The second-year Nittany Lion and last year’s starter at 125 pounds is big for that weight class and is doing some freestyle work this offseason at 61 kilograms/134.5 pounds. Could a bump-up in weight be in store for the four-time Michigan state champ?
Penn State 2024-2025 outlook at 133 pounds
At this stage, we’d be stunned if Nagao is not the starter at 133 pounds for the second consecutive season,as long as he’s healthy after suffering what looked like a shoulder injury at U23 Nationals. Last year was clearly impacted by whatever health complications he had, and a better year should be in store. To answer the question we left lingering above, however, a move up for Davis feels likely. But, he may redshirt this year to start that process while Nagao keeps the job before the two wrestle for it next offseason. But, if Nagao’s injury ends up being a long-term one, that process could start much sooner. It’s one of many decisions head coach Cael Sanderson must make this offseason.
