Top 2026 recruit meets with Penn State wrestling rivals over the weekend

Fresh off another National Championship and top-ranked recruiting class, Cael Sanderson and Penn State wrestling are ready to carry the momentum into 2025 and beyond. On track for another No. 1 class in the 2025 cycle, the Nittany Lions could jumpstart the effort for 2026 by locking down top commit and high school sensation Bo Bassett.

But despite hailing from Pennsylvania wrestling powerhouse Bishop McCort, the “most popular high school wrestler ever” isn’t obliged to end up a Nittany Lion. That was readily apparent this weekend. While attending a camp, Bassett met with some of Penn State’s most notable rivals in the Big Ten and on the national stage.

On Saturday, Bassett posted a picture on X with Coleman Scott. An Olympic Bronze Medalist, NCAA Champion, and former associate head coach at Oklahoma State, Scott was recently hired to the staff of The Ohio RTC, the training club for Ohio State wrestlers.

Got a chance to talk and hang out with Coach Coleman Scott, from Ohio State. #DreamBig @wrestlingbucks @OhioStAthletics @CScott60kg pic.twitter.com/nyLCnFAkcH

— Bo Bassett WC (@BoBassett06) August 10, 2024

Bo Bassett also met with the program that has the potential to become not only the biggest rivalry for just Penn State, but the biggest in all of college wrestling: Oklahoma State.

On Sunday morning, Bassett posted a picture alongside former Nittany Lion great and new Cowboys head coach David Taylor, as well as ex-Penn State wrestling assistant Jimmy Kennedy. This summer is Taylor’s first on the trail since taking the Oklahoma State job in May, and we’re already seeing his recruiting chops with the top 2026 prospect.

Great time meeting and talking with Coach Taylor and Coach Kennedy. Oklahoma has been great. Now Heading to last camp session. #DreamBIG #MachineGunMindset @OSUAthletics @CowboyWrestling @magicman_osu pic.twitter.com/q5qqpKyHL0

— Bo Bassett WC (@BoBassett06) August 11, 2024

“I think it’s pretty enticing, and it’ll be fun to see how it plays out in the next couple of months and maybe over the next year,” Bassett said of a potential recruitment by Taylor and the Cowboys in June, prior to the opening of the 2026 contact window.

Where do Cael Sanderson and Penn State wrestling stand in Bo Bassett’s recruitment?

Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

In many ways, Cael Sanderson and Penn State wrestling possess several built-in advantages when recruiting Bo Bassett. The Johnstown wrestler, who ended his sophomore season as FloWrestling’s No. 11 pound-for-pound wrestler nationally, doesn’t shy away from his familiarity with the Nittany Lions.

“And I had the opportunity to train there once and twice a week at the NLWC,” he said. “So you know, I’ve been in the room. I’ve trained with their guys… It’s only about an hour and 15 minutes [away from me], and what they’re doing is working. And it’s pretty cool to see that. I know a lot of guys there, and my cousin goes there now, Erik Gibson. So I think that Penn State is an unbelievable place.”

But despite having the most dominant wrestling program of the last two decades essentially in his backyard, the only thing Bassett remains committed to as of now is an open recruitment.

“I don’t prefer any other schools over anyone else, and I’m really excited to be open,” he said. “As far as college recruiting, I’m excited to go see where I best fit.”

Since the contact window for 2026 recruits opened in mid-June, Bo Bassett has narrowed his list of contending programs each week. Once quite extensive, the list is now starting to become more limited.

Penn State, Ohio State, and Oklahoma State all remain in the running, along with other notable programs like Iowa, Michigan, Oklahoma, Iowa State, Lehigh, and Cornell.

Another amazing recruiting week in the books. August is going to be one of my busiest months of my life! SO GRATEFUL
 
Psalm 28:7
 
Bo Bassett #MachineGunMindset #DreamBIG #Spain2024 pic.twitter.com/klCOb8klWb

— Bo Bassett WC (@BoBassett06) August 8, 2024

Still, don’t expect the high school standout to make a decision anytime soon.

“I’m going to take my time and really make the right decision,” Bassett expressed. “You only get that decision once, and I’m a pretty loyal guy, so I don’t really see myself transferring out ever.”

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