Penn State holds commanding edge in early 2025-26 rankings

Penn State wrestling will have to replace several key veteran pieces from its NCAA championship-winning lineup this winter. But Cael Sanderson and the Nittany Lions are already a runaway favorite to bring home a fifth straight title in 2026. 

The Nittany Lions are the overwhelming top team in FloWrestling’s recently released early tournament rankings for the 2025-26 season. Currently projected with 128.5 team points, the Blue and White sit 33 points ahead of second-place Nebraska. The predictions do not consider bonus points earned throughout the NCAA Tournament. In March, Penn State eclipsed the Cornhuskers by 60 points, finishing with an NCAA record 177 points. 

Even with questions surrounding its lineup, Penn State still touts a talent-laden roster. Six Nittany Lions are found in Flo’s top 20 pound-for-pound rankings, with Mitchell Mesenbrink and Levi Haines coming in at No. 1 and No. 3, respectively. Juniors Tyler Kasak (No. 12) and Shayne Van Ness (No. 14) and redshirt sophomore Josh Barr (No. 18) also find themselves within the top 20. 

In total, the Nittany Lions have seven of 10 projected starters ranked in the top five of their respective weight classes. Mesenbrink, Haines, and Barr all claim top spots, while Van Ness and Kasak rank second. Sophomore Luke Lilledahl and Ohio State transfer Rocco Welsh each sit at No. 3. 

Flo is also high on a pair of newcomers to the Penn State lineup, with redshirt freshman Cole Mirasola ranking No. 11 at heavyweight and incoming freshman Marcus Blaze earning the No. 12 ranking at 133 before his first college match. 

Penn State wrestlers in early 2025-26 weight class rankings

125: Luke Lilledahl- No. 3

133: Marcus Blaze – No. 12

141: Braeden Davis – No. 8

149: Shayne Van Ness – No. 2 (No. 14 PFP)

157: Tyler Kasak – No. 2 (No. 12)

165: Mitchell Mesenbrink – No. 1 (No. 1)

174: Levi Haines – No. 1 (No. 3)

184: Rocco Welsh – No. 3

197: Josh Barr – No. 1 (No. 18)

285: Cole Mirasola – No. 11

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