For most athletes, four years is the limit to their NCAA wrestling careers. But as it appears, Carter Starocci doesn’t fall under that bracket. This Penn State icon has already cemented his place in history by winning four NCAA titles, a feat that only five others before him could achieve. Yet, on the verge of closing his chapter in the wrestling realm, Starocci has announced that he’s coming back for a fifth season. And as Starocci gears up to embark on a path that no wrestler has ever walked, his bold decision has met with immense fanfare, scrutiny, and high expectations.

Starocci’s NCAA journey has been nothing short of legendary. He has continued to dominate his weight class. Moreover, amassing a resume filled with victories over top contenders, he’s proven time and again why he’s among the best. After securing his fourth title in a triumphant win over Rocco Welsh, Starocci initially hinted at an end to his college wrestling career. He not only thanked his family and coaches but also hinted at a possible Olympic pursuit. 

However, the COVID-19 eligibility extension demanded a change in his career narrative. It changed the game for Starocci, offering him the chance to become the first five-time NCAA wrestling champion. A challenge he couldn’t resist. Adding to this, beyond the records, Starocci’s decision to stay loyal to Penn State had already made waves previously. Moreover, his words were even considered as a probable dig at David Taylor. 

On social media, he issued a thinly veiled critique of wrestlers who jump at big financial offers to switch allegiances. Though he didn’t name names, Starocci appeared to reference fellow NCAA great David Taylor, who took a coaching role at Oklahoma State University. “I was offered a big payday too,” he shared, adding, “When it comes to money, people switch like the weather. Not me.” The words struck a chord with fans, as they considered it to be directed towards Taylor.

However, his return made one statement pretty clear. It’s the fact that Starocci’s commitment to the Nittany Lions runs deep. Now his return has heightened the anticipation of what’s to come. In typical confident fashion, he’s set the stakes high for himself, hinting at his intention not just to compete but to “take over” college wrestling once more. 

A recent X post from a wrestling enthusiast from the X handle @EvanRGSmith has shared, “I’m never leaving Penn State.” Starocci plans to stick around after his collegiate career.” If he secures a fifth NCAA title, Starocci will set a benchmark that may remain unmatched for years to come. However, on the other hand, a probable different narrative is waiting to unfold.

Carter Starocci’s UFC dreams to run parallel to wrestling commitments? 

After conquering the NCAA realm, Carter Starocci wanted to expand his horizons. Back in 2023, the iconic wrestler mentioned that he wanted to transition into mixed martial arts. Namedropping the popular promotion UFC as his first choice, Starocci had some high hopes. He targeted the welterweight division and even called out the likes of Colby Covington. Now, from a realistic perspective, there is ample chance that Starocci does wonders in the UFC. After all, look at how the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, and even Merab Dvalishvili have dominated the championship scenario.

However, there is a problem. Starocci has made it pretty clear that he will not be letting go of his wrestling roots. Thus, the question arises: how will Starocci be able to juggle both sports at once? Well, there might be a very simple solution to the dilemma. By not leaving wrestling, the 4x NCAA champ might have hinted at a role of coach or an official in Penn State. This way he can cater to his UFC career when that happens, as well as honor his wrestling roots. 

A prime example of following such a similar path is Bo Nickal. Coming from Penn State, Nickal is a full-time UFC professional. However, not forgetting his wrestling roots, Nickal has always tried to maintain a close relationship with the sport. In fact, he also built his gym near Penn State so that he can visit his place of love anytime he wants. Thus, with plenty of options open for Starocci, it remains to be seen how he will pace his career in the future.