Ex-Penn State wrestler lands at ACC program out of the transfer portal

Penn State wrestling saw a contingent of its reserve talent hit the transfer portal following the program’s fourth consecutive national title victory in March. Now, we’re learning where a former Nittany Lion will compete this winter.

On Wednesday evening, 165-pounder Aurelius Dunbar announced his transfer to Duke. Having earned his degree from Penn State in May, Dunbar will spend one final graduate season with the Blue Devils.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity that I had to compete as a Nittany Lion and represent Penn State athletics—more specifically, a program that is forever solidified in the history books,” Dunbar wrote in his announcement. “While the Big Ten and NCAA titles meant a lot, they pale in comparison to the people that stood beside me—teammates, friends, and coaches. The experiences that I had here I’ll cherish forever. To Coach Cael [Sanderson], Coach Casey [Cunningham], Coach Cody [Sanderson], and Coach Nick Lee—thank you for believing in me, supporting me, and always having my back. If I had to do it all over again I wouldn’t have chosen any other place. I will forever rep Penn State.”

Dunbar went 10-10 during his Penn State wrestling career, including a 3-2 showing during his five bouts at the Southern Scuffle in January. A standout at Mercersburg Academy, Dunbar went 116-22 in high school and was a four-time National Prep All-American.

Nearly 10 Nittany Lions have entered the transfer portal in total this offseason. Of course, Penn State made headlines in the portal this spring, adding former NCAA Finalist Rocco Welsh from Ohio State.

This week, we gained insight on the Nittany Lions’ early-season schedule, as Cael Sanderson will take his group to Philadelphia to face Drexel on December 5.

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