BREAKING: Penn State wrestling loses veteran to the transfer portal

After a quiet start to the offseason, Cael Sanderson and Penn State wrestling suffered its first attrition to the NCAA transfer portal Monday, losing veteran 165-pounder Terrell Barraclough. Expected to enter as a graduate transfer, Barraclough was running out of time and space in a loaded back half of a Nittany Lions lineup that appears primed for a fourth-consecutive National Championship run in 2025.

Terrell Barraclough to enter NCAA transfer portal

After five seasons with the Penn State wrestling program, Terrell Barraclough is expected to enter the transfer portal. The news was first reported by Pat Mineo on X on Monday. Despite his five years with the Nittany Lions, Barraclough still has one more year of eligibility because he was on the team during the 2020 COVID season.

Terrell Barraclough wrestled at 149 pounds his first two seasons, 157 pounds in 2022-23, and at 165 pounds in 2024. He holds a 42-19 career record with a 32.56% bonus percentage. Last season, he finished 12-2 in a primarily backup role. One of the matches that put Barraclough into the national spotlight was a close 2-1 loss to former National Champion Shane Griffith while filling in for a sick Carter Starocci.

Barraclough won four straight Utah state championships, including a 39-2 record as a senior. A possible transfer portal destination close to his home could be a factor in his decision. Immediately after the announcement was made on X, many fans of big-name schools such as Oklahoma State, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, and Lehigh expressed a desire to go after the now-former Nittany Lion.

How will Barraclough’s departure impact on the Penn State wrestling lineup

While Terrell Barraclough is a solid wrestler and will certainly make an impact in a starting lineup in 2025, he never could quite crack the loaded Penn State wrestling lineup.

With Levi Haines, Mitchell Mesenbrink, Alex Facundo, Josh Barr, and potentially Carter Starocci all looking for spots in the 157-197 pound weight classes next season, it was always going to be an uphill battle for Barraclough to secure a starting spot.

Cael Sanderson already has the No. 1 class in 2024 ready to arrive in Happy Valley for next fall, as well, meaning the loaded Penn State wrestling room is only going to get deeper as time passes.

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