Penn State Wrestling: Rising Star Emerging for Nittany Lions

Penn State Wrestling has struggled for numerous years to produce a competitive grappler at the top of their lineup.

But, with the results Nittany Lions fans have seen so far this season, that’s about to change because Braeden Davis looks like he’s the real deal.

And for good reason.

Namely due to the fact Braeden has been a force to reckon with prior to matriculating to Happy Valley.

During his time wrestling for Dundee High School, Braeden won four Michigan State Championships while also being a member of a team that won four state team championships.

Oh, and he was Summa Cum Laude of his senior class. So he’s got that going for him. Which is nice. Davis was fairly proficient in the freestyle discipline as in 2021 he won his second Junior Freestyle Nationals at Fargo.

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All of this culminated in Braeden being the No. 16 overall recruit in the 2023 recruiting class where FloWrestling projected him to settle at 125 or 133 in college.

Braeden Davis’ Fast Start Powering Penn State Wrestling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu3R4qZiXKg

One could say the recruiting experts got this one correct because with what Braeden Davis has done on the mat this year has been nothing short of impressive.

In eight matches this season, Davis now sports a perfect 8-0 record which includes three major decisions and three technical falls.

Can anyone name the last 125 pound freshman to start out a season 8-0 or better?

If you’ve followed Penn State Wrestling even as a casual fan for the past handful of seasons, then this one should be easy. *Final Jeopardy music* It was Nick Suriano back in 2017 where he opened the season with an 11-match win streak before losing to all-world talent Thomas Gilman in Penn State’s dual against Iowa.

And before you start saying, “Hey Chris, are you really comparing a true freshman to an NCAA runner-up and two-time champion?” No. No, I’m not. Because there’s a lot that would have to happen for Davis to accomplish those feats and I’m in no way projecting that on him.

All I’m saying is that Braeden can finally give the top of the lineup a spark and the Nittany Lion faithful can be excited to see what’s he capable of.

Plus, with the duo of Luke Lilledahl (No. 2 overall recruit 2024 class) and Mason Gibson (No. 8 overall recruit 2024 class) joining the Penn State wrestling room next year, there aren’t many reasons as to why the coaching staff won’t let Braeden Davis rip this season.

Granted, I did just say “aren’t many reasons” and not “no reasons” because I am not one to question what Cael Sanderson feels is best for each wrestler and what is best for the team. But man, there just seems to be something special with Davis. And I’m willing to bet the rest of Penn State Wrestling Nation feels the same way.

MORE: Penn State Unveils New Wrestling Uniforms

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Chris Snyder

Penn State Wrestling Beat Reporter at NittanyCentral

Expertise: College Wrestling, College Football, Lays Chips
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.

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