Penn State wrestling picks up first 2027 pledge as top New York, KD Training Center talent Gavin Mangano picks the Lions

Penn State wrestling has picked up its first verbal commitment in the Class of 2027. Two-time New York state champ Gavin Mangano committed to the Nittany Lions on Sunday night. The Shorham native is the No. 13 recruit in his class, according to MatScouts. FLO ranks him at No. 17. Mangano is MatScout’s sixth-best 138-pound high school wrestler. He projects to compete at either 149 or 157 pounds at the college level.

“I am excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Penn State University! I feel there is no better place for me to continue my progress and success than at Penn State with there amazing coaching staff,” Mangano wrote on Instagram. “Thank you to all the coaches that have reached out to me throughout this process. I would also like to thank Coach KD and Uncle Tony for their support throughout my journey. As well as my high school coaches. Special thanks to my family for being by my side throughout this process.”

Mangano won a 2024-2025 New York state title despite breaking his leg in the title bout. He is expected to be back on the mat at Super 32, where he will likely battle Penn State Class of 2026 commit Sam Herring, among others, in the 138-pound division.

Mangano trains at the KD Training Center in New York. It’s become something of a pipeline for the Lions. Incoming freshman PJ Duke trains there. So does transfer addition Rocco Welsh. Former Penn State and current Oklahoma State wrestler Zack Ryder did, as well. And, Class of 2026 commit Jayden James is also a product of the training center founded by Khaled Dassan.

Mangano picked Penn State over Cornell, N.C. State, and North Carolina.

What so we know about the 2025-2026 Penn State wrestling schedule?

Penn State has not yet put out its 2025-2026 schedule. But, we do know some dates already.

The Lions will host Oklahoma in State College on Nov. 14. They will travel to Drexel on Dec. 5 before hosting Lehigh on Dec. 7. And, they will complete a two-year home-and-home series with a trip to Wyoming on Dec. 13 after the Cowboys came to the Bryce Jordan Center a year ago.

Penn State is also likely to return to the Army Black Knight Invitational. That is set for Sun., Nov. 23 in West Point, N.Y.

As for the Big Ten schedule, it has not been released yet. But, we do know who head coach Cael Sanderson’s team will face.

Home Big Ten duals: Ohio State, Nebraska, Indiana, and Rutgers.

Away Big Ten duals: Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, and Northwestern.