Penn State is the gold standard of NCAA wrestling. But challenging their hegemony is David Taylor‘s Oklahoma State, which has been making the headlines lately. Boy, have they been busy in the transfer portal. First, they added Penn State backups Alex Facundo and Gary Steen. But the 3rd transfer has really been a scoop for the Cowboys, which has left even Bo Nickal baffled.

Getting Junior World Champion Zack Ryder to switch sides to the Cowboys is a major statement from Olympic Gold medalist David Taylor. He is building a championship-contender program, and Zack Ryder fits right into the project. But how are Penn State wrestlers feeling about the transfer? Well, two Nittany Lions wrestlers got candid about their former teammate and the transfer in general. And we have got the sauce for you.

Well, Bo Nickal always gets some star name to appear on his podcast ‘Nickals and Dimes’. And on April 25, 2025, he had for us the Mirasola twins from Penn State, who have continued their impressive wrestling journey into the collegiate arena, and came on the show to share their experience so far. Talking about various things, Zack Ryder’s name popped up in relation to a fun 100m race question. But Nickal didn’t miss the opportunity to ask the brothers how they felt about Ryder’s transfer.

It was a unanimous confession from both the brothers – “That was sad”, and the sentiment was backed in essence by the UFC fighter himself: “He’s our dog, bro.” Clearly, it has been a surprise move, considering how deep the connection was. Cole Mirasola shared his experience with Zack Ryder, which would get anyone feeling a little nostalgic, like a bond breaking up. “We stayed here for the Olympics, we stayed at his house for the Olympic trials,” and his brother chimed in too, “(We) stayed at his house for the Olympic trials, NSO like, (he) helped us move in, like great friend.”

The disappointment of losing not only a quality wrestler but also a great friend and a good guy was evident from the vibes. “He’s a good dude. That’s unfortunate,” went Cole, while Connor Mirasola said it won’t be the same: “He’s not, it’s not the same. He’s still be our friend, like we went and saw him before he left. But it’s not going to be the same.” And it’s obvious why. The answer plainly uttered by Nickal without trying to conceal it or downplay it: “Now he’s the enemy.”

They don’t fail to acknowledge that a brother of theirs is with the Cowboys now, and soon they will be crossing paths, but the Mirasola brothers are Nittany Lions for a reason. And their conviction about the wrestling journey they are on gives them one clear verdict – Penn State is the place to be. They obviously wish Zack Ryder the best: “Hope it, hope he finds what he’s looking for.” But? Connor Mirasola didn’t mince his words: “Nowhere else is like here (Penn State), so yeah.”

And those words would definitely be music to Bo Nickal’s ears, being a Penn State alum himself. And especially after what had happened in the context of his previous podcast episode.

‘Betrayed’ Bo Nickal takes the high road

Nickal is a 3-time NCAA Champion with Penn State. Hosting the Mirasola brothers was like hosting one of your younger alum brothers. And in the previous episode, any guesses who his guest was? Another Penn State collegiate. At least he still was when he did the podcast. But by the time the episode was released on April 8, the podcast guest had already transferred to the Cowboys. Wait what? It can’t be, right? It can’t be Zack Ryder – being introduced by the UFC wrestler as “My boy, my buddy, good pal, Zack Ryder.”

And the hollow words of assurance given by Ryder? “Just finally being here, my whole life just watching—I’m excited just like whoever’s in the lineup, just dominating with them.” Maybe his mind got made up when the news broke that Rocco Welsh was going to wrestle for Penn State in the 184 lbs category, Ryder’s category, from 2025-26.

Speculations were on about Ryder being the successor to Carter Starocci. Well, that’s all done for now. And as for Bo Nickal, whose only defense to the Ryder episode was “Shot a few weeks ago…. Awkward…”, the confession on Twitter did hide the whole lot of betrayal he must have been feeling since then. But Bo Nickal has kept it classy. “Part of life” – that’s his explanation for the Zack Ryder incident.

Sure, it’s disappointing seeing one of your own joining the enemy camp. But the UFC fighter knows Penn State is “definitely the place to be” for 4-time consecutive Championship winners from 2022 to 2025. Can David Taylor and Zack Ryder stop this juggernaut?