Penn State is arguably the best wrestling program in the country. With another national title added to its trophy cabinet under the tenure of the iconic coach Cael Sanderson, the four-time NCAA title winner Carter Starocci & Co. has firmly established itself on a high pedestal. However, things might be in for a change. And competition seems to be brewing at the campus of another collegiate heavyweight not far away.

The Iowa Hawkeyes also boast a stacked wrestling roster that can give any school a run for their money. At this year’s NCAA Championship, the Hawkeyes did fairly well, while failing to clinch a podium finish, nonetheless. However, a new recruit from Northern Colorado might be set to topple the scales in the Hawkeyes’ favor in the next season.

A recent Reddit post on the Subreddit r/wrestling has drawn attention to the fact that 2023 NCAA champ Andrew Alirez has entered the transfer portal. With the possibility of the Bears senior moving to Iowa, fans can’t speculate what this can entail for Penn State in the coming months.

Alirez made national headlines after becoming the first wrestler from UNC to win the national championship at 141 pounds in the modern wrestling era. While the four-time Colorado state high school champion is yet to decide on his next destination, Iowa’s offer of up to $500,000 to Alirez through the NIL regulations might help him settle down soon.

Fans debate what this might entail

One fan thinks that if the speculations of Alirez moving to Iowa become true, then Penn State might be looking at stiff competition, especially with how the transfer could bulk up the Hawkeyes’ roster with names like Angelo Ferrari and Gabe Arnold in the mix. “So I’ve been crunching the numbers and if he goes 141, Parco  goes 149, and Hendrickson goes at HWT Iowa could actually challenge Penn State,” commented the fan, opining that this lineup can easily bring home 120 points and beyond.

While the thought of AJ Ferrari’s younger brother entering the Hawkeye roster at 174lb could pose a threat for Penn State’s Carter Starocci, who only hours ago revealed his intentions to return to collegiate wrestling to end his NCAA career on a high note, many fans think Angelo’s chances are still up for speculation. “Bold of you to assume Ferrari makes it to Nationals and not suspended or kicked off the team. That would be a crazy lineup though,” commented the fan.

With the 2024 NCAA 5th place finisher in the 174lb category, Nelson Brands is also in the mix. One fan thinks his return can make the four-time NCAA champ Carter Starocci’s life miserable for his final year with Penn State. “Brands was 5th at 174 and he said he’s coming back,” noted the fan.

However, another fan is convinced that Arnold won’t be bumping up to 184lb. The fan believes that the 3A State Champion Arnold will win the face-off against Angelo Ferrari for the 174lb spot, making Starocci’s final year all the more difficult with the NLWC wrestler competing in the same weight class. “I think Arnold and Angelo would have to wrestle off for 174, and I think Arnold takes that. He’s stated 174 is his weight,” reminds the fan’s comment.

According to speculations from another wrestling fan, Alirez’s future will be equally beneficial if he decides to go to Michigan State. If he does that, training with the likes of Mason Parris and Lucas Davidson will make him a force to be reckoned with and Starocci might need to take notes ASAP. “Michigan is the wrestling heavyweight Mecca. He could train with Sean Bormet, Mason Parris, Lucas Davidson, and Adam Coon. He might end up there,” stated a fan’s ominous comment.

With so many opinions and directions for Andrew to choose from, where do you think he will ultimately end up? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.