Penn State wrestling offseason outlook: Will the Lions have a new starter at 125?
Penn State wrestling has a different offseason than most of its peers across campus. Current and future members of the roster are preparing to compete at various freestyle events this summer before they return to focusing on folkstyle at the college level next fall. The Nittany Lions are the defending NCAA champions, of course. Only two starters from last year’s team are out of eligibility. However, that doesn’t mean every starter will be back in his same spot of the lineup.
Our offseason outlook series kicks off at 125 pounds.
Recapping 125 pounds for Penn State in 2023-2024
The season started with hopes that 2021 NCAA qualifier Robert Howard would be back in the lineup following back-to-back redshirt seasons tied to ongoing health issues. He ultimately went 3-4 early in the year and was dealing with problems again by the time the dual meet season rolled around. It led to freshman Braeden Davis manning the lightest starting spot on the roster for Penn State. The former Michigan prep star had some very good moments and other matches he’d like to have back. Ultimately, he finished 22-4 during his first season at the collegiate level. He spent some time as the nation’s top-ranked 125-pounder wrestler and won. Big Ten title. But, nationals did not go as planned. He lost in the quarterfinals and then in the Round of 12 to finish off the podium stand in Kansas City.
Who is back, coming in, for the Lions?
Davis leads the way among the returners if he chooses to stay at 125 pounds, which we’ll get into below. Howard is back for another season. Gary Steen, Marco Vespa, and Branden Wentzel also have eligibility left. Prep star Luke Lilledahl and 2023 PIAA 121-pound state champ Cael Nasdeo, from Williamsport, join the lineup as Class of 2024 signees.
Penn State 2024-2025 outlook at 125 pounds
There is a lot of smoke surrounding the possibility of Davis taking a redshirt year to prepare for a move up to 133 pounds. He is a big 125-pounder, something longtime Lions coach Cael Sanderson made note of earlier this year. While much of the chatter was just that, Davis’ decision to compete at the U20 U.S. Open at 61 kilograms, or 134.4 pounds, was the latest indication that a move could be on the horizon. He could work his way to that weight while Aaron Nagao stays at 133 pounds for another season. Or, he could battle the second-year Penn State wrestler for the job this season.
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Assuming that happens, it leaves an open competition at 125 pounds. Lilledahl would have to be considered the favorite to win it. He won a match at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in April and was then the Most Outstanding Wrestler and 57-kilogram champion at the U20 Nationals in Las Vegas. He will compete later this month for a spot on the U.S. U20 team.
If Davis does not go at 125, it would be a surprise if anyone other than Lilledahl does, with a healthy Howard seemingly being the only thing standing in his way. So, Penn State could start first-year wrestlers at the spot in back-to-back seasons.
