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David Taylor lands former Penn State freshman Zack Ryder

David Taylor has landed Zack Ryder from the transfer portal, making it three former Penn State wrestlers to join the Magic Man in Stillwater this week.

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3 months ago

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Penn State wrestling
Mar 22, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys coach David Taylor watches as Wyatt Hendrickson defeats Gable Steveson of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

David Taylor has made quick work picking up another former member of the Penn State wrestling program. On Friday evening, Oklahoma State earned a transfer portal commitment from Nittany Lions true freshman Zack Ryder.

Ryder entered the transfer portal on Wednesday after one season in Happy Valley. Going 8-0 during his freshman campaign, the No. 6 recruit in the 2024 cycle was penciled in as next year’s starter at 184 pounds, replacing Carter Starocci. That is, until earlier this week, when Penn State landed 2024 NCAA Finalist Rocco Welsh from Ohio State.

Ryder’s decision doesn’t come as much of a shock. The four-time New York state champion exited high school a year early to train with Taylor and the rest of the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club.

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Ryder now becomes the third member of the Penn State wrestling program to join Taylor in Stillwater this week. Alex Facundo and Gary Steen announced their commitments to the Cowboys on Monday.

Earlier on Friday, Erik Gibson also entered the transfer portal, bringing the total number of Nittany Lions departing from the Penn State wrestling room this offseason to eight.

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Matt is a co-owner and Editor of Basic Blues Nation. Launched in 2022, Basic Blues Nation is one of the fastest-growing websites covering all Penn State athletics. Matt is also a credentialed member of the Penn State football beat, and is a member of the Football Writers Association of America.

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