Penn State wrestler out indefinitely after sustaining offseason injury

Penn State wrestling is quickly approaching its first dual of the season against Drexel on Sunday. Cael Sanderson and the Nittany Lions will be looking to win a fourth consecutive National Championship and a 12th title in the past 14 seasons.

Once again the preseason favorite to win the NCAA Championships this upcoming spring, there are still plenty of questions about who will represent the Nittany Lions at multiple weight classes this season. Cael Sanderson provided some clarity at Penn State wrestling media day on Monday, noting that last year’s 133-pound starter Aaron Nagao will not be available to start the year.

“Well, actually, Aaron was injured in the offseason if you guys weren’t aware of that, so he’s still kind of rehabbing and getting back to full strength,” Sanderson said. “…Every weight is competitive now. We just have a lot of good kids that believe in themselves and are going to compete hard. You know, [133] has a handful of guys, and I think initially [Braeden] Davis has definitely kind of jumped out as that frontrunner.”

Sanderson did not disclose a cause for the injury or a potential timeline for Nagao’s return.

Last season was an up-and-down year for Nagao, who entered the winter with high expectations. After finishing 23-6 and fifth at the NCAA Championships as a redshirt freshman for Minnesota, many expected him to continue the momentum in his first season with the Nittany Lions.

Nagao went 17-7 with a round of 12 finish in 2023-24, in what many thought was an injury-plagued season.

New status of Penn State wrestling’s competition at 133 pounds

© Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

Coming into the fall, Nagao was expected to compete with former 125-pounder Braeden Davis for the starting 133-pound role. There was speculation on how much weight Davis cut last year to make 125. After all, it’s difficult to stay that small, especially with the potential to keep growing in height and muscle mass.

Davis finished with a 22-4 record last year at 125, winning the Big Ten title and earning the No. 1 seed at the NCAA Championships before falling in the quarterfinals to eventual National Champion Richard Figueroa of Arizona State.

Now the frontrunner at 133, Davis will get the opportunity to secure his position in the Penn State wrestling starting lineup if he can start fast while Nagao is still recovering. Many expected Davis to win the spot even before we learned of Nagao’s injury. The sophomore is ranked No. 9 in the InterMat 133-pound preseason rankings.

However, the upside for a healthy Nagao remains All-American quality, which could make for an interesting midseason storyline if and when he returns to the mat.

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