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Penn State wrestling lands top Class of 2025 recruit Marcus Blaze

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel11/13/24GregPickel
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Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson speaks at a news conference on Jan. 3, 2023. (Thomas Frank Carr/BWI)

Penn State wrestling has added the nation’s top uncommitted recruit to its Class of 2025. Perrysburg, Ohio senior Marcus Blaze picked the Nittany Lions over Purdue and Ohio State on Wednesday morning. Tyler Seggerman of WTOL Toledo first reported the news. Blaze announced his pick during the early signing day for non-football prospects, making choice inside of his high school’s gymnasium. A three-time Ohio state champion, most recently at 132 pounds, Blaze, 17, projects in the realm of 141 to 149 pounds at the college level. But, as always, that can change.

His commitment ends one of the quietest recruitments on record for one of, if not the most, decorated prep wrestler ever. Jon Kozak of Flo Wrestling recently summed up his large list of accomplishments:

“Blaze won a U17 world title in 2023 and followed that up by winning a U20 world silver medal this year. He also had incredible success on the senior level this year placing third at the Olympic Trials at 57 kg and second at the World Team Trials at 61 kg,” Kozak writes. “With a full year left of high school, Blaze already has wins over accomplished college wrestlers like Daton Fix, Nahshon Garrett, and Seth Gross. 

“On the folkstyle side, Blaze is almost just as accomplished. He’s a three-time Ohio state champion and will be going for his fourth title this year. He’s also won the prestigious Ironman tournament and has placed at Super 32 twice. Last season, Blaze tested himself at the Clarion Open in November and placed second while notably defeating NCAA runner-up Matt Ramos. Blaze is truly one of the most accomplished high school wrestlers of all time. [He] will carry huge expectations with him to the next level.”

5 Penn State wrestling takeaways from media day

Penn State hosted Blaze for an official visit in late September. Back in May, he cut his list to Penn State, Michigan, Cornell, Michigan, Ohio State, Purdue and Iowa. The Nittany Lions beat out the Boilermakers and Buckeyes in the end.

“He’s special. He’s generational,” Perrysburg coach Scott Burnett told The Sentinnel-Tribune in March. “We have to enjoy him. Great human being. He’s a leader.

“He’s got some really big goals. He wants to be an Olympic champion, he wants to build off his 17U World Championship. He loves our team. And, he loves our program.”

Entering Wednesday, Penn State has Class of 2025 commitments from New York’s PJ Duke, who, like Blaze, is one of the top two or three recruits in the country. The list also includes New Jersey’s William Henckel, State College Area’s Asher Cunningham, Wyoming Seminary’s Nate Desmond, and Central Mountain’s Dalton Perry. All are set to sign on Wednesday.

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