BREAKING: Former NCAA Finalist commits to Penn State, explains decision to leave Ohio State

After almost a week of rumors and speculation, former NCAA Finalist Rocco Welsh has officially committed to Penn State wrestling. The ex-Ohio State Buckeye made his announcement Sunday evening on the Baschamania podcast with Justin Basch.

Welsh entered the transfer portal on Thursday. Almost immediately favored to land in Happy Valley, the 174/184-pounder said he didn’t reach a final decision until this weekend. Former Nittany Lion David Taylor and Oklahoma State were also reportedly in the mix.

“Last night, I fully decided. Yesterday morning, I was still leaning towards Penn State,” Welsh said. “And then, you know, last night, I decided that I wanted to go to Penn State.”

A Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, native, Welsh went 26-6 as a true freshman in 2024, making the NCAA Finals at 174 pounds, where he eventually lost to Carter Starocci. Redshirting this season, Welsh went 15-0 wrestling unattached at 184, racking up three pins and seven tech falls in the process.

Welsh explains decision to leave Ohio State, join Penn State wrestling

The difficult choice to redshirt while fully transitioning to 184 pounds greatly impacted Welsh emotionally. Ultimately, he decided a change of scenery was needed.

“Throughout the season, it was just really hard watching everyone else compete,” said Welsh. “Towards the end – I don’t know, my heart wasn’t in Columbus anymore. I love those guys. I have a lot of respect for all the Ohio State guys, and it’s still one of my favorite places on earth. Me and my family talked, and they were like, ‘If your heart’s not there, maybe you just want to go somewhere else.’ So that’s what we decided to do.”

Welsh was a four-time Pennsylvania state finalist and two-time state champion for Waynesburg Central High School. He won Gold at the Pan-Am Games in 2021 and Bronze at the Zagreb Open in February.

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Now, the former Buckeye joins the most talented wrestling room in the country. Entering a backlog of depth that features former NCAA champions and highly touted recruits, Welsh says he plans on leaning into the competition.

“If I want to be the best wrestler in the world and accomplish my goals – if I can’t make a starting lineup, then I’m not on the right track,” he said of joining the Penn State wrestling room. “I think just being around all those good guys – like you said, a crowded room – I think that’s really going to help me grow.

“It’s just going to be awesome. I’m not going to be worried about anything. Just getting better every single day and helping them get better. And hopefully, they help me get better.”

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