Penn State Wrestling 2025-26 Lineup Projection, Part 1: Luke Lilledahl Leads Deep Group of Returners
The 2024-2025 season was historic for Penn State Wrestling and head coach Cael Sanderson. His team won the NCAA Championship and broke their own record from last year for most team points scored.
Penn State also became only the second team in history with 10 All-Americans. Additionally, Carter Starocci became the first five-time Division 1 Champion. No pressure for next year’s team or anything.
Even though the wrestling room is losing multiple National Champions, they are returning seven All-Americans across the team, and the 2025 Recruiting class coming in has some strength.
So, where do they land for next season? Who is going to be the No. 1 option at each weight class? Let’s take a look
Penn State Wrestling 2025-2026 Lineup Projection 1 Part 1
125lbs – Luke Lilledahl
Luke Lilledhal had an outstanding freshman season winning the Big Ten Championship and placing third at the NCAAs.
Lightning Luke looks to return and continue to impress in the same weight class. There are other wrestlers that could challenge Lilledhal, but he was too impressive as a freshman to keep on the sidelines. Also, the competition in the wrestling room will only help to improve Luke as he enters his sophomore season.
133lbs – Masanosuke Ono
Cael Sanderson has been able to reload the roster with a world champion in Masanosuke Ono, who will likely be the starter at 133 in the upcoming season.
Ono won the Japanese National Championship, U20 World Championship, and 2024 World Championship. His transition from freestyle to folk style wont reduce his effectiveness. Look for Ono to add to his accomplishments next season.
141lbs – Braeden Davis
Here we have our first look at a weight class where there will be some competition for an open starting role.
With Ono taking the 133 starting role, All-American Braeden Davis will likely move up to 141lbs. But incoming recruit Marcus Blaze is also a powerhouse, so I can see Blaze and Davis battling all season. Ultimately, I think Braeden Davis will take the majority of the season because he has the experience and accolades.
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149lbs – Shayne Van Ness
Credit – Lloyd McCully
Shayne Van Ness is returning and will take his spot at 149 pounds. He had an amazing season and was the No. 3 seed at the NCAA tournament where he ended up taking 3rd place. No doubt with another year of experience and training in the best wrestling room in country, Van Ness will be looking for an NCAA Championship next season.
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157lbs – Tyle Kasak
Tyler Kasak took third in the NCAAs and is a returning All-American. He will most likely be in the same role at 157lbs going into next season.
Kasak had a dominant regular season and entered the NCAAs as the No. 1 seed. And even though that was the case, tough losses still happen. However Kasak displayed his mental toughness by coming back to take 3rd.
And make no mistake about it, Tyler will want to make himself a champion next season.
Coming up in part two of our preview, who will fill the shoes of the only 5x DI Champion Carter Starocci, and what does the heavy loss of Greg Kerkvliet mean for the heavyweight division?
MORE Penn State Wrestling News
- Will Rocco Welsh Be Able to Fill Carter Starocci’s Historic Shoes?
- What Jayden James Adds to Penn State’s Loaded Roster
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New to sportswriting, Hurlbut Launched his personal blog, The Casual Fan in the past year.
He has a passion for sports, growing up in the midwest watching AFC North and Big Ten Football.
Kolin Attended THE Ohio State University and Purdue University earning a BS in Communication and MS in IT Project Management. Kolin also enjoys writing short stories based on his 12 year career in the US Army.
- Penn State Wrestling 2025-26 Lineup Projection, Part 1: Luke Lilledahl Leads Deep Group of Returners - April 8, 2025
- Penn State Wrestling Reloads Again—Could Rocco Welsh Be the Next Star at 184 lbs? - April 2, 2025
- Penn State Wrestling Recruiting: William Henckel Dominates National Preps—What’s Next? - March 27, 2025