Penn State Wrestling Recruiting: How No. 1 Recruit PJ Duke Fits into Nittany Lions’ Lineup
Taking a look at each of the recruits in the 2025 recruiting class for Penn State Wrestling.
And as our leisurely stroll down the Nittany Lion recruiting trail continues, here is a list of the previous spotlights we’ve recently put out:
Dalton Perry
Nathan Desmond
Asher Cunningham
William Henckel
In this edition we’re going to take a look at Minisink Valley’s PJ Duke. A school name which may sound familiar to Penn State Wrestling fans. That’s because it’s the same school that future hammer Zack Ryder also attended.
Moving on.
Let’s take a look at the laundry list of accomplishments that follow Duke with him to Happy Valley.
Accomplishments PJ Duke brings to Penn State Wrestling
PJ Duke Accomplishments
-Won his first New York State PHSAA championship with a record of 45-0 at 99 pounds … while only being in seventh grade
-Is a four-time state champ
-Most recently won the state championship at 170 and received the MOW of the tournament
-Finished with a career record of 107-1
-Senior year went 39-0 with 32 of the wins via fall
-Is a two-time Super 32 champion
-Won the 2022 Fargo Nationals and Ironman Championships
-Won the 2024 Bill Farrell International
-Finished third at the 2024 Senior World Team Trials
Holy cow. Did I miss anything?
As you can clearly see from above, there’s a reason that Duke is either seen as the overall No. 1 or No. 2 recruit in the 2025 recruiting class. FloWrestling currently has the incoming freshman ranked at No. 2 in their most recent rankings.
But there is one thing that isn’t in doubt, and it’s the fact that PJ is an outstanding wrestler.
Furthermore, when highly talented wrestlers get into the Penn State Wrestling room and train, they tend to get even better. Which in a year or two will be bad news for the rest of the D1 collegiate wrestlers at 165 pounds.
Speaking of that, let’s next take a look at where PJ Duke will fit into the Penn State Wrestling lineup.
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Fit for Penn State Wrestling
As noted above, Duke wrestled his final year in high school at 170 pounds. However, most recruiting services expect him to slot in at either 157 or 165 once he lands in Happy Valley.
I tend to agree with seeing him at 165. But 157? That might be a bit of a stretch based on his frame and his recent growth in high school.
With Mitchell Mesenbrink having two more years of eligibility remaining, I don’t see PJ overtaking him. But, if MM bumps up to 174 at any point, then Duke will most likely be the immediate starter.
We also have to factor in the following log jam guys and their eligibility at both 165 and 174:
-Mitchell Mesenbrink (2 years)
-Joe Sealey (4 years)
-PJ Duke (4 yeras)
-Levi Haines (1 year)
-Williams Henckel (4 years)
-Asher Cunningham (4 years)
“Clark, that there is an RV insane amount of talent.”
And as I’ve said a million times before, thank goodness I don’t have to make any of the roster decisions. Penn State fans will be glad that they will be made by a guy who just won his 12th NCAA team title.
MORE Penn State Wrestling News from NittanyCentral:
- Cael Sanderson and Nittany Lions’ Top Transfer Portal Targets
-
Penn State Wrestling Recruiting: What Masanosuke Ono’s Commitment Means For Nittany Lions
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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 Recruiting: How No. 1 Recruit PJ Duke Fits into Nittany Lions’ Lineup - March 28, 2025
- 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