EARLY 2026-27 lineup projections/discussions
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I thought about some future lineups with the recent talk of Ono possibly never making the lineup. 2028 class will definitely shake things up in the later years.
That makes the most sense. But most athletes don't want to RS 2 years in a row. If PJ is dead set on a 2028 Olympics RS no way he's gonna want to RS next year. And I have said this here a few times but 2027 worlds will probably determine if he takes an Olympic in 2028. If you win a medal that allows you to wrestle the college season because you sit from having a medal . If you don't you probably have to take the year training freestyle so you can be ready for the qualification process
No he hasn't . And if he did people would say he just couldn't wait to come to Penn st no one ever contacted him
.My point isn't about where or why they left, it's about where they chose to go.
Max could have gone to a lot of places that needed a 184-pounder, but he took the more difficult path.
If past criteria holds, isn’t PJ already qualified for trials by competing in worlds last year? Or are you talking about a seat in the semis (medals at worlds in 27 at non-Olympic weight) or in the finals (medal at worlds in 27 at Olympic weight), assuming the process is the same as 24?
Yes I'm talking about sitting in semis or finals . If you do that you can wrestle NCAAs and have plenty of time plus use that folkstyle shape and build on it. If you don't the turn arounds are quick and taking the year honing in on freestyle is probably the right move
In the post you replied to Tiger lists 157, 165 and 174. Cunningham and Rocco will be must see TV at 184.
Has anyone ever thought Sanderson had this discussion with M and D before PJ was on the team. It's been planned for over a year where each wt. Was projected.
This is not anything I have seen, but have been told from several that know much more than I know that Cunningham is right there.
Of course we are talking a 2 time finalist v a RSF. We will see, but it is one of the dynamics I am highly interested in seeing how things play out.
Plans change when people grow . Also Cael isn't telling guys what weight to go a year out. They wait until the summer is over then they decide those things and develop a plan.
I’m super interested as well. I’m not saying Cunningham is Mesenbrink in any way but their development curve is similar. Cunningham has jumped multiple levels in the last 2 years and still seems like he’s just scratching the surface. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has closed the gap considerably with Rocco. It will be a fun situation to watch play out
Random thought: Everyone would probably be pretty excited about the prospect of adding Luke Stanich right?
But Desmond and Stanich have very similar paths. Both considered good but not elite prospects out of HS, both thought to be 125 early then move to 133 but made a sudden jump to 141. Difference is Stanich obviously got an AA on his resume actually as a freshman in that super chaotic 125 class (where our very own Scooter entered as the 1 seed) but does anyone doubt Desmond had AA level potential this year? Even throwing away the fact he beat Luke (fair and square, room familiarity aside) He dominated Flynn and Farmer in his first ever tournament.
I think Desmond gets underrated because he suffered a pretty bad knee injury his December of his senior year and his only match after was when he decided to wrestle PWC on a whim against Ramirez and got beat pretty handily (final score was 6-5 but he gave up 2 TDs and scored none of his own)
But Desmond and Stanich have very similar paths. Both considered good but not elite prospects out of HS, both thought to be 125 early then move to 133 but made a sudden jump to 141. Difference is Stanich obviously got an AA on his resume actually as a freshman in that super chaotic 125 class (where our very own Scooter entered as the 1 seed) but does anyone doubt Desmond had AA level potential this year? Even throwing away the fact he beat Luke (fair and square, room familiarity aside) He dominated Flynn and Farmer in his first ever tournament.
I think Desmond gets underrated because he suffered a pretty bad knee injury his December of his senior year and his only match after was when he decided to wrestle PWC on a whim against Ramirez and got beat pretty handily (final score was 6-5 but he gave up 2 TDs and scored none of his own)
Another difference is Stanich winning U20 Worlds in 2025, and beating Bassett 2x at Trials.
That's absolutely fair but
1. That was 2 years out of HS
2. Freestyle =/= Folkstyle, Desmond has always been known as a better folk wrestler since he has a strong top game
No one is making it harder than it needs to be. Mesenbrink at 174 likely produces the highest amount of projected NCAA team points. He’s such a hammer he’s probably getting you 25 team points either way, if anyone disagrees on this point, chime in. And then Duke would be expected to score more at 165 than Henckel at 174.
Total NCAA team points is how you decide the championship. That said, people are just putting it out there as a possibility. And we should discuss possibilities especially those that maximize the lineup.
So many things up in air and to be resolved. One thing is for certain, DT isn’t playing games and trying to maximize each current year’s lineup. If he brings in a few upper weight hammers in his week spots, maximizing our lineup will grow in importance
Yeah, DT might not be messing around with Facundo and Ryder next year.
This is true right up until it becomes less theoretical and we put actual names on it.
Who can Taylor feasibly bring in, that will truly make a difference?
They're behind us next year by 2 national champs (or 3 national finalists), and I just don't see enough importable points to make up that difference.
Wasn’t really trying to make a point that would be considered “true or false”, and it’s likely that PSU can put out a lineup that isn’t maximizing and win the NCAA by 70 points.
But OK State could close the gap by bringing in guys like Cam Steed at 174 and Christian Carroll at HWT. I didn’t look at 184 but if Ryder was hurt the entire year but is healthy that’s like a transfer. At beginning of the year he was always discussed in top 5.
There are also the Mantanona brothers from Michigan.
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I think Mitchell 'tells' him that.
I think all of this push Mitchell up just to fit PJ is a bunch of shenanigans, tomfoolery, and a lot of ballyhoo.
Let's not push Henkle out the door with all this over analyzing as well.
A RS for Blaze makes total sense and PJ will take one for the team and the result with be 3 years of total domination that would make Zain blush.
And we break the record again.
As good as he is, Henckel is probably an underdog to ever crack the PSU lineup
Actually not concerned about 157 through 174. My thoughts are on 133 and 141. Is Desmond now too big for 133? Will Masa wrestle for PSU? Will Marcus stay at 133 if Masa doesn't go? Will Cael bring someone in?
This years team, as great as they were, was actually very young. I wonder if we decide to bring in someone who is older for competition and insurance?
The more I think about it I think it's a little bit concerning that Masa never got on the mat this season. I'm also not ready to write off Marcus as needing a redshirt year when he was better than everyone else in the nation excluding 3 generational talents in Davino Jax and Seidel. It's kinda like tennis, when you had Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic all in the same bracket every year: As soon as injuries or situations took the other three out, Murray won Wimbledon not once but twice.
Jax and Seidel looked huge for 133 and I think they're going up next year, and Ohio State might move Davino up also. Marcus would be the favorite in that case, but I also want to point out that if Marcus makes adjustments he absolutely can do it
This years team, as great as they were, was actually very young. I wonder if we decide to bring in someone who is older for competition and insurance?
The more I think about it I think it's a little bit concerning that Masa never got on the mat this season. I'm also not ready to write off Marcus as needing a redshirt year when he was better than everyone else in the nation excluding 3 generational talents in Davino Jax and Seidel. It's kinda like tennis, when you had Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic all in the same bracket every year: As soon as injuries or situations took the other three out, Murray won Wimbledon not once but twice.
Jax and Seidel looked huge for 133 and I think they're going up next year, and Ohio State might move Davino up also. Marcus would be the favorite in that case, but I also want to point out that if Marcus makes adjustments he absolutely can do it
Ryder’s shoulder issues masked how offensively limited he is anyway. I’m hoping DT stands pat at 184
Jefe and Corby are probably the only ones who can answer this, but, can we actually name the possible portals who would actually give DT more guaranteed points per weight class as far as 149, 174, and 184?
Actually they probably go Jax 141 and Vega 149, and little Rainey goes 133. So basically just 174 and 184. I am searching high and low and I don't see portal options that give him GUARANTEED point upgrades.
Actually they probably go Jax 141 and Vega 149, and little Rainey goes 133. So basically just 174 and 184. I am searching high and low and I don't see portal options that give him GUARANTEED point upgrades.
I agree with you conceptually. I just don't think any of this moves the needle very much.
Let's pick on Ryder. Despite his athleticism, he's capped at 5th -- so that's +4 advancement points over his 8th place finish. Likewise, any import is also capped at 5th (with the possible exception of Minto, but he'd have to leave and move up). Helps but not all that much.
I also agree that they'll try to rent a HWT so Ross can shirt, but it won't be Carroll. He was one of the very first guys to leave town when Taylor arrived, and cited being unable to connect with the new coaching staff.
Man, a lot of us are here are afraid of the strangest things. Weight shifts that may or may not happen, guys that Penn State has been ragdolling at other schools going to Okay State and suddenly being a threat, etc. And a lot of this board are more in-the-know than I, which makes me really grateful, because I shrug and say, sure glad Cael is our guy.
Facundo only scored 1.5 pts. Taylor could throw a dart at the 174 bracket and find someone who can score more. Finding someone willing to transfer there might be a different story.
Ah I see it now on wrestlestat. Much has changed in past few years. And a pile of money and opportunity are a good start towards a connection. But otherwise I agree, no other needle movers at HWT.
The Mantanonas would be a nice package to work with.
If you possibly referring to my posts about what lineup maximizes our NCAA points I think you miss the main ideas.
That said if we are sitting Blaze, Duke, and James we better be 100% sure we are winning it.
Nope. I haven’t seen anything from you that had any bearing on my observation, and I am 100% with you on that point.
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FYI, "lack of connection" was code for Carroll being angry that OKST didn't keep Coleman Scott as head coach, and he left with Chris Perry for Iowa State.
I just can't imagine Taylor wanting to bring back someone who resented him being hired in the first place. But who knows.
If Duke is RS he is being replaced by Kasak. If Blaze is RS he is replaced by Ono. If James isn't wrestling it is because Henckel is beating him. Not sure I see the difference in team scoring.
Thanks for background, none of that seems like a dealbreaker on either side. Especially on DT’s side, he wants one thing.