Penn State wrestling rumored as favorite to land Ohio State NCAA Finalist in portal

Penn State wrestling is reportedly on the verge of another seismic roster move for the 2026 season. The Nittany Lions are rumored to be the frontrunners to earn a transfer portal commitment from Ohio State 174/184-pounder Rocco Welsh.

Welsh entered his name into the transfer portal earlier on Thursday. Penn State quickly emerged as the favorite to land the former Buckeye, with MatScouts reporting that the move was all but official.

i’m told it’s penn state and it’s done. https://t.co/VQ643WMpxn

— MatScouts (@MatScouts1) March 27, 2025

Welsh went 26-6 and was the National Runner-Up at 174 pounds in 2024 as a true freshman, losing to five-time champion Carter Starocci in the NCAA Finals.

Taking a redshirt year this season, Welsh went 15-0 wrestling unattached at 184 pounds. He won the Bronze Medal for Team USA at the Zagreb Open last month.

Welsh would have three years of eligibility remaining.

Of course, landing Welsh would only further add to the embarrassment of riches amassed by Cael Sanderson in Happy Valley.

Levi Haines will return for his senior season after finishing third at 174 during last weekend’s NCAA Championships in Philadelphia. Although Starocci is walking off into the sunset as the most accomplished wrestler in Nittany Lions history, Penn State wrestling has four-time New York state champion and 2024 U20 World Silver Medalist Zack Ryder waiting in the wings at 184.

Penn State wrestling has already landed a massive addition for next year’s lineup this week. On Monday, Japanese World Champion Masanosuke Ono announced his plans to join the Nittany Lions in 2026.

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