Penn State Wrestling: Cael Sanderson and Nittany Lions’ Transfer Portal Targets
Penn State Wrestling has been very successful with the transfer portal the past five years, but does that mean they dip into it this off-season?
Prior to the free agent madness that is the current landscape of collegiate sports, Cael Sanderson and the Nittany Lions rarely recruited transfers to wrestle in Happy Valley. And for good reason.
They didn’t need them.
But just as every successful coach has done, Penn State has adapted. Furthermore, they’ve had some incredible success from transfers just in the last five years. Check out some of the names on this list:
Credit: Lloyd McCully
Greg Kerkvliet (Ohio State)
Drew Hildebrandt (Central Michigan)
Max Dean (Cornell)
Aaron Nagao (Minnesota)
Mitchell Mesenbrink (Cal Baptist)
Now, just as the transfer portal his giveth, it also taketh away.
Nick Suriano, Michael Beard, and Terrell Barraclough all had All-American finishes after they transferred from Penn State Wrestling. Additionally, guys like Brody Teske and Seth Nevills had very competitive careers elsewhere.
So that brings us back to the point of this article.
Will Penn State Wrestling recruit any transfers?
Moreover, do they even need one?
And look, even though the Nittany Lions just won their fourth straight National Championship while scorching the field in the process, that doesn’t mean the roster can’t get better. Especially when you look at some of the names in the portal.
Competitive Guys in the Portal
We’ll first take a look at some of the names in the portal. Specifically guys who could make an impact on a collegiate roster.
Next we’ll whittle the list down to possible targets that Penn State Wrestling might be looking at.
With that, here’s the list I’ve assembled:
AJ Ferrari (CSU-Bakersfield) – 197 – Junior (not sure how…)
Two-time All-American (2021 & 2025) and 2021 NCAA Champion
Lachlan McNeil (North Carolina) – 149 – Graduate
Three-time All-American (2023-2025)
Nasir Bailey (Little Rock) – 133 – Junior
Two-time NCAA qualifier and All-American (2024)
Cody Chittum (Iowa State) – 157 – Junior
Two-time NCAA qualifier
Jordan Williams (Little Rock) – 149 – Junior
Two-time NCAA qualifier and finished in the round of 12 in 2025
Hunter Catka (Virginia Tech) – 285 – Junior
66-30 career record and No. 32 overall in the 2021 recruiting class
Right away, I’m going to throw away Ferrari. For, you know, “reasons”. Same goes for Jordan Williams.
I highly doubt Penn State Wrestling will want someone who’s looking for their third school in three years.
Next, I’m going to get rid of Bailey and Chittum. This mainly has to do with a stacked room at 133. And due to Tyler Kasak still having two more years of eligibility and the addition of PJ Duke, 157 isn’t going to be open anytime soon.
So that leaves us with …
Buy The Newest Penn State Gear on Fanatics | Shop Penn State Gear on Amazon
Breaking down possible transfers for Penn State Wrestling
Lachlan McNeil
For obvious reasons, McNeil is the most ready of any of these guys to step into any wrestling room and be competitive. He’s shown that since joining UNC back in 2020.
But, the first big question is whether or not McNeil would be able to wrestle at 141 again. Because that’s the only possible spot the Nittany Lions currently have on their roster. As Shayne Van Ness has 149 locked down and Kasak isn’t going anywhere at 157.
And yes, Marcus Blaze is going to be on campus next year. However it’s not a foregone conclusion that he will be the day one starter for Penn State.
The next big question is whether or not Tom Brands will continue to sell his soul to the devil in the hopes of somehow not falling even further away by scooping up every single viable transfer on the market, while at the same time completely alienating any recruits he brings into Iowa City McNeil will even want to wrestle at Penn State. Additionally, do the Nittany Lions essentially want a one year rental?
Chances McNeil ends up with Penn State Wrestling: 0.1/5 dodgeballs
Penn State Football Recruiting: James Franklin’s to-Do List to Secure a Top-10 Class in 2026
Hunter Catka
Boy, this list got small fast!
But look, if Penn State Wrestling could use some depth anywhere in their lineup, heavyweight has to be close to the top of the list. Heck, in my opinion, it’s at the top.
And if there’s anyone in the portal that could end up in Happy Valley, then Hunter Catka has to also be at the top of the list.
Catka is a three-time NCAA qualifier and was a three-year starter for the Hokies. He recently got pushed out as redshirt freshman Jim Mullen took over the starting spot.
His hometown is just outside of Philadelphia, he wrestled in the FloNationals and the Akron Cadel Trials to qualify for the US World Team. Catka has some success on the mat, however, the biggest issue has been consistency.
But there’s no better place on the planet than the Penn State Wrestling room to help with that.
If Cael Sanderson wants to give Cole Mirasola some more competition, then Catka would be a perfect sparring partner. Additionally, he could even be next year’s starter, which would give Mirasola more time to develop into his body.
Either way, I still think this might be a long shot. Especially with the 30-spot roster limits set to hit next year and with the sheer numbers coming from the recruiting trail
But you never know, right?
Chances Catka ends up with Penn State Wrestling: 2.7/5 dodgeballs
MORE Penn State Wrestling News from NittanyCentral:
-
Penn State Wrestling Recruiting: William Henckel Dominates National Preps—What’s Next?
-
Penn State Wrestling Recruiting: What Masanosuke Ono’s Commitment Means For Nittany Lions
A note to our readers; If you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may receive a commission
Education: Penn State University
Location: State College, PA
Even though he had no prior journalism experience, Chris has now covered Penn State Wrestling and Penn State Football for the past three years, including as the Penn State Wrestling Beat Writer for VictoryBellRings.com, part of the FanSided network.
And it's clear he also likes constant torture as he's been a PSU Basketball fan for way too long.
Several years back, Chris made the seamless transition from PGA Professional to computer programmer and thoroughly enjoys following and writing about all things related to Penn State sports during his spare time.
- Penn State Wrestling: Cael Sanderson and Nittany Lions’ Transfer Portal Targets - March 27, 2025
- Penn State Wrestling Recruiting: What Masanosuke Ono’s Commitment Means For Nittany Lions - March 25, 2025
- Penn State Wrestling Recruiting: 2026 Big Board for the Nittany Lions (Updated) - March 23, 2025