Penn State wrestling named finalist by No. 2 recruit in 2025 cycle

It’s been a spring filled with success for Cael Sanderson and Penn State wrestling. Fresh of the program’s 11th NCAA Championship in 13 seasons in March, the Nittany Lions qualified multiple wrestlers for the 2024 Summer Games at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials just last weekend. The good times kept on rolling for Sanderson and the Nittany Lions this week, as Penn State was named as a finalist for Marcus Blaze, the No. 2 prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.

Marcus Blaze includes Penn State wrestling in top 6

The No. 2 wrestler in the 2025 recruiting cycle says that he will soon be ready to announce a commitment decision. Perrysburg, Ohio’s Marcus Blaze is still one of the top uncommitted prospects available in the upcoming class. But speaking to FloWrestling this week, Blaze expressed that his top six schools are set.

“You can probably expect a commitment here soon,” Blaze said. “I’ve got a top-six schools [list]. I visited six schools. Those are Cornell, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State…I’m probably missing some — Iowa and Purdue.”

Marcus Blaze recently finished his junior year of high school with a 50-1 record and a third straight Ohio state title. He won state championships at 113 pounds with a 55-0 record as a freshman and at 120 pounds with a 52-1 record as a sophomore. His career record is 157-2 heading into his senior year.

Blaze participated in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in State College a week ago, finishing third at 57 kg and earning himself a spot on the U.S. National Freestyle Team. It was a stunning performance, as the high school junior was pre-seeded 11^th out of 11 in the weight class. His weekend included a 5-1 win over 2024 No. 1 overall recruit and Penn State wrestling commit Luke Lilledahl and a 4-1 win over 2026 No. 1 recruit Jax Forrest.

Cael Sanderson eyeing another No. 1 class

Cael Sanderson has the Penn State wrestling machine absolutely rolling. The recruiting classes are becoming deeper and deeper with the more success that the Nittany Lions have on the mat. The 2024 class currently has the No. 1 prospect Luke Lilledahl entering the program this upcoming season, along with No. 5 Zach Ryder, No. 6 Joe Sealey, and No. 11 Connor Mirasola.

The 2025 recruiting class that Marcus Blaze is a part of is already stacking up as one of the best in the country. Cael Sanderson has already picked up commitments from No. 1 PJ Duke, No. 8 William Henckel, No. 18 Nate Desmond, No. 25 Dalton Perry, and No. 92 Asher Cunningham.

The 2025 class currently ranks No. 2 behind Cornell, which has four top-25 prospects and six wrestlers inside the top 40. If Penn State wrestling can add Marcus Blaze, it would give the program the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked recruits for the class, solidifying the top spot in the team rankings for back-to-back years.

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