Where are Penn State wrestlers in the latest preseason rankings?
Penn State wrestling starts its 2025-2026 season against Oklahoma on Nov. 14. The Nittany Lions return multiple national champions and numerous All-Americans from their 2024-2025 team that won the program’s fourth consecutive NCAA title. Not every starter battle is settled yet. It appears more likely than not that freshman Marcus Blaze will start at 133 pounds while third-year Nittany Lion Braeden Davis will vacate that spot to move up to 141 pounds to replace Beau Bartlett. However, program newcomer Maso Ono is in the mix in the mix, as well. Another newcomer, PJ Duke, who just finished third at U23 Worlds, will battle for Tyler Kasak for the 157-pound starting spot. And, program veteran Lucas Cochran is back to take on Cole Mirasola for the open heavyweight job.
We say all of that as a disclaimer for the preseason rankings below. Things will change over the next few weeks, and there is plenty of time before Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson and his staff will lock in a full lineup. However, here’s where each Lion stands nationally as of Oct. 29 (note that FLO has not completed an update since Virginia Tech’s Caleb Henson opted for a redshirt year. Shayne Van Ness will move to No. 1 there once they do:
Top 10
- 1Hot
Trimmings
5 players PSU must keep
- 2
Coaching search
Lions confident in their plan
- 3
PSU-Oregon fumble
Among '25's worst calls
- 4New
PSU-OSU
Can PSU stay within 21?
- 5
Wrestling
Rankings & TV info
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| Weight | Name | FLO | InterMat | The Open Mat |
| 125 pounds | Luke Lilledahl | No. 3 | No. 3 | No. 3 |
| 133 pounds | Marcus Blaze | No. 10 | NR | No. 8 |
| 141 pounds | Braeden Davis | No. 8 | No. 9 | No. 7 |
| 149 pounds | Shayne Van Ness | No. 2 | No. 1 | No. 1 |
| 157 pounds | Tyler Kasak | No. 2 | No. 2 | No. 2 |
| 165 pounds | Mitchell Mesenbrink | No. 1 | No. 1 | No. 1 |
| 174 pounds | Levi Haines | No. 1 | No. 1 | No. 1 |
| 184 pounds | Rocco Welsh | No. 3 | No. 2 | No. 2 |
| 197 pounds | Josh Barr | No. 1 | No. 1 | No. 1 |
| 285 pounds | Cole Mirasola | No. 12 | No. 12 | No. 13 |
Penn State also tops the team rankings
It’s no surprise, of course. Penn State is No. 1 in all three outlets’ rankings for both dual meets and the NCAA Tournament. Sanderson’s side is coming off an impressive offseason that saw numerous Nittany Lions win International medals at U17, U20, and U23 Worlds.
“We’re training together, training all summer for something big, and it’s a little bit difficult because we have to turn around and have these guys ready for a different style,” associate head coach Cody Sanderson told USA Wrestling over the weekend after U23 Worlds. “As far as that, our work is just beginning.”