Elite wrestling, football recruit picks Oklahoma State over Penn State

Penn State wrestling great David Taylor secured a major recruiting win over the weekend, landing one of the 2026 cycle’s top prospects over other national powers, including his alma mater.

On Sunday, Fort Dodge (IA) standout Dreshaun Ross announced his commitment to Taylor and Oklahoma State. The 215-pounder is the No. 3 recruit on FloWrestling’s big board for the class of 2026.

In November, Ross dropped a blue blood-filled top four, which included Penn State, Iowa, and Iowa State in addition to the Cowboys.

🚨Breaking News🚨

Dreshaun Ross has commited to Oklahoma State, choosing the Cowboys over Iowa and Penn State!

Ross is ranked No. 3 nationally on the @FloWrestling Class of 2026 Big Board. pic.twitter.com/ANWokwgaZd

— Saturday Night Lights Wrestling (@WrestlingSNL) February 2, 2025

An influential part of Ross’s recruitment was his skills on the gridiron. A three-star linebacker, Ross is ranked as the No. 25 athlete and the No. 4 prospect from Iowa (No. 391 overall) in the 247Sports Composite for 2026.

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While holding football offers from the Hawkeyes and Cyclones, Ross did not have offers from James Franklin and Penn State football or Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State. According to FloWrestling, Ross underwent shoulder surgery over the summer, forcing him to miss his junior football season and the first half of the wrestling season.

Dreshaun Ross commits to Oklahoma State! 🤠

Ross is the #3 overall prospect on Flowrestling’s 2026 Big Board. pic.twitter.com/CuRtlNfQHr

— WrestlersGrind (@_wrestlersgrind) February 4, 2025

Although he did not officially declare which sport he plans to pursue at the next level, the two-time Iowa state champion appears to be leaning in on Taylor’s resurgence of the Cowboys program. Following the commitment, Oklahoma State holds the No. 1 recruiting class nationally in FloWrestling’s 2026 rankings. Cael Sanderson and Penn State wrestling currently sit at No. 16.

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