Penn State wrestling: Zack Ryder will reportedly enter the NCAA transfer portal; here's what we know
Penn State wrestling redshirt freshman Zack Ryder is expected to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Justin Basch of the BaschAMania podcast first reported the news. As of 5:13 p.m. ET., Ryder was not officially listed in the mechanism colleges athletes use to change schools. But, every indication is that he will be eventually.
The news about Ryder comes after Penn State picked up former Ohio State All-American Rocco Welsh out of the portal back on Sunday.
“If I want to be the best wrestler in the world and accomplish my goals, then, if I can’t make a starting lineup, then I’m not on the right track,” Welsh told Basch’s podcast Sunday. “So I think just just being around all those good guys, like you said, a crowded room, but I think that’s really going to help me grow. It’s just going to be awesome. I’m not going to be worried about anything, just getting better every single day and helping them get better. And, hopefully they help me get better.”
Before that, the 184-pound starting spot vacated by now five-time NCAA champ Carter Starocci appeared to be Ryder’s in 2025-2026. But, the Pa. native’s pending arrival set up a future competition between the two for the job. Ryder, who is a four-time New York state champ and 2024 U20 silver medalist, has taken himself out of the running for it.
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It would not be surprising to see him end up at Oklahoma State with former Lions legend David Taylor. Either way, the pursuit to land him should be hot and heavy; Ryder was MatScout’s No. 6 pound-for-pound prospect in the Class of 2024. He has four seasons of eligibility remaining.
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More on the Penn State wrestling offseason
Ryder is not the first Nittany Lion to hit the transfer portal since the team won its fourth straight NCAA title two weekends ago. Alex Facuno, who was a national qualifier for Penn State two years ago, did the same and is now with the Cowboys. So, too, is former Lions lightweight Gary Steen. Other one-time members of the team are also looking for a new home. At the moment, that list includes David Evans, Aurelius Dunbar, AJ Frichhinoe, and Marco Vespa.
Welsh is the only addition from the portal for head coach Cael Sanderson’s side so far this offseason. He lost the 174-pound NCAA final to Starocci in 2024. Then, he redshirted last year while bulking up to 184.
