Reality Check to David Taylor and Iowa State, Penn State Broadcaster Claps Back at NCAA College Wrestling Trump Card

What’s the future of Penn State wrestling? Cael Sanderson’s era has been a game-changer, bringing in championships and titles and raising the bar to new heights. But what’s the real secret behind it all? Take a look at athletes like Carter Starocci, Mitchell Mesenbrink, Levi Haines, Greg Kerkvliet, and Aaron Brooks—they started out as long shots, but now Starocci’s a four-time NCAA champ, and Mesenbrink’s a 2023 U20 World Champion. It’s like Penn State has the golden touch when it comes to developing talent. The reason might be that even with David Taylor moving on to Oklahoma State, Penn State wrestling seems to have that Midas touch, always finding a way to stay on top. So what’s the magic formula that keeps [https://www.essentiallysports.com/us-sports-news-olympics-news-wrestling-news-stealing-penn-state-legends-david-taylor-speaks-on-wrestling-clubs-decline-lot-of-fallout/] them ahead of the pack? Could it be a case of them just having the right pieces in place, or is there something else at play? It looks like some colleges are really doubling down on the transfer portal, seeing it as a way to quickly enhance their athletic programs and boost their visibility. By offering NIL opportunities, scholarships, and top-notch facilities, schools can attract some serious talent, which in turn helps them rake in money through ticket sales, media coverage, and sponsorships. Iowa and Oklahoma [https://www.essentiallysports.com/us-sports-news-olympics-news-wrestling-news-will-david-taylor-return-to-penn-state-as-oklahoma-states-head-coach-in-twenty-twenty-four-ncaa-wrestling-season/] State, for example, have been super aggressive with transfers, while Penn State seems to be taking a different approach. [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-collage.png-1-20.jpg] Now, Penn State has been doing things their way, focusing more on traditional high [https://www.statecollege.com/articles/penn-state-wrestling/penn-state-wrestler-carter-starocci-partners-with-happy-valley-adventure-bureau-on-drive-dine-for-five/?__cf_chl_rt_tk=7Q.e6R9FxQF83Qk.Agst2_tKgaMYE8DTsJLOJvmG1uw-1731185160-1.0.1.1-BqgfIFEZbUQk0Hj0aMtNjGBFyR0Dx5lgLazMg5I4MTk] school recruiting. But this year, they didn’t add anyone through the transfer portal, which has raised a few eyebrows, especially since schools like Iowa and Oklahoma State have been all over it. So, the big question is: Will Penn State stick to its guns, or will they eventually dive into the transfer portal game? Iowa recently made a major move by investing $31 million into a state-of-the-art, exclusive training center, which has significantly boosted its wrestling program. This kind of investment shows Iowa’s commitment to competing at the highest level and explains why they’ve been so active in the transfer portal, bringing in experienced athletes to strengthen their roster. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State has been making big moves, especially with David Taylor will make $7.45 million over six years. His contract, which includes bonuses for NCAA championships and individual titles, shows just how committed Oklahoma State is to its wrestling program. While Penn State’s approach is sparking some questions—like those raised by Jeff Byers, the longtime radio voice of Penn State wrestling—there’s a sense that maybe it’s time to stop doubting and just let their track record speak for itself. Despite the transfer portal buzz, Penn State’s focus on developing homegrown talent could still be their winning formula. Jeff Byers mentioned, “Well, no—I mean, Penn State had three significant transfers last year. But they happen to be absolutely stacked right now and brought in one of the greatest recruiting classes in the history of the sport with this freshman class. It’ll be interesting next season when the NCAA allows 30 full scholarships for each wrestling team.” [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-design-2024-10-19T072650.114.jpg] It seems like he’s implying that, regardless of how much schools like Oklahoma State invest in the transfer portal, Penn State’s success continues to be built on its local talent pool rather than external additions. Despite the recent buzz around transfers, Penn State maintains its edge through roster depth and a top-notch recruiting class, rather than relying solely on external acquisitions. They have established a foundation internally that is expected to be the factor in their sustained success, over time. At the Paris Olympics on a scale too we witnessed this scenario unfold as Penn State athletes left their mark by securing medals and contributing to Team USA’s success. HOW PENN STATE IS STILL CRUSHING IT IN WRESTLING! Brooks came close to having a perfect season, reaching the gold medal match in his Olympic debut! Although he was 5 seconds shy of victory in the semifinals due to a takedown that led to his only defeat during the Games, this setback didn’t deter him. He made a strong comeback to secure a bronze medal in the 86 kg men’s freestyle weight category, capping off his remarkable journey with a well-deserved bronze. In addition, Brooks became a four-time NCAA champion for Penn State in March and then went on to defeat Penn State legend David Taylor at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials just a month later. Now, Brooks and Taylor are the only two Penn State wrestlers to win medals for Team USA. NBC even called Brooks, 24, “the new face of American men’s wrestling,” which shows just how much he’s grown in the sport. Unfortunately, Penn State’s Zain Retherford had to withdraw from a potential bronze-medal run due to concussion symptoms, which was a tough break after all the hard work he’d put in.

Reality Check to David Taylor and Iowa State, Penn State Broadcaster Claps Back at NCAA College Wrestling Trump Card

Have something to say?