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Wrestling Expert Drops Their Predictions For Penn State's 2026-27 Lineup!

Locked On Nittany Lions

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Penn State wrestling's 2026-27 lineup could look dramatically different depending on Masanosuke Ono, Marcus Blaze, Levi Haines, PJ Duke, Jayden James and Tyler Kasak. MatScouts' Willie Saylor released his projected Nittany Lions lineup, including Ono at 141 pounds, Blaze at 133, Duke at 157 and Haines at 174.

Zach Seyko breaks down the biggest questions surrounding Penn State's projected lineup, including whether Ono is better suited for 133 or 141, how a possible Haines return affects Duke, James and Kasak, Mitchell Mesenbrink's place at 165, and the championship implications throughout Cael Sanderson's roster.

Plus, Penn State Class of 2027 commit Clinton Shepherd is foregoing his senior high-school wrestling season to move to State College and compete in college open tournaments. We examine why that could position Shepherd to compete immediately for the 149-pound starting spot after Shayne Van Ness.

What would your Penn State wrestling lineup look like? Drop your projection in the comments.

Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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0:00 Intro
1:29 Full 2026-27 Penn State Lineup Prediction
1:53 Why Masanosuke Ono at 141 Is Surprising
3:36 Ono vs. Marcus Blaze at 133/141
5:17 Levi Haines Creates a Massive Lineup Domino Effect
6:23 Jayden James, PJ Duke & Tyler Kasak at 157
8:43 Clinton Shepherd's Strategic Move
11:26 Shepherd Skips His Senior High-School Season
13:42 Penn State's Future 149-Pound Battle
16:22 Could Shepherd Become a Five-Year Starter?

20 Comments

@pitchforkrebel5594 1 month ago

The only expert's opinion that matters has the initials C.S.

@charlesparada9683 1 month ago

This team is ridiculously talented

@psmith6166 1 month ago

I expected Blaze to move up to 141. In the Off the Mat episodes last season, his team mates constantly made fun of his diet of air when they all talk food. Ono is definitely the more natural 133, as he eats whatever he wants and hits that weight.

@MaryKerstetter 1 month ago

I hope that Kasak can break into the line up, but he has to beat some great competition.

@billybud9557 1 month ago

Willie's opinion is about as valid as mine.

@brentmosser9384 1 month ago

So, no mention of William Henckel and Asher Cunningham whatsoever? Levi coming back basically destroyed their chances of getting into the lineup. We all know that, but you have to at least mention it. Beyond that, if Levi wasn't coming back, I would definitely put Henckel at 174 over James. No question about it. Give James a year in the room and give Henkel the shot that he deserves, for God sake. He was a major recruit for us and he's proven that he's a fantastic wrestler. You should at least talk about that.

@brentmosser9384 1 month ago

Blaze will likely never go up to 141. He can't get off the bottom against any of his three major opponents at 133. I hope he's been working really really really hard on that. He needs to build so much strength while remaining at 133. 141 will never be possible for him, and that's fine.

@gregconn3553 1 month ago

Maybe Ono is planning to wrestle 65 kg (143) at 2028 Olympics

@joshuajames5050 1 month ago (edited)

I don’t think you give Tyler K enough credit. Do you know that James or Duke would absolutely win that spot??? I think it’s closer than you think.

@AcSHuNtv 1 month ago

5th year rule is stupid but a result of Covid year eligibility and Cater winning 5 Natty’s. Wouldn’t be fair to only have 1 - 5X natty title holder.

@jonespoint908 1 month ago

In my opinion for 26/27 line up 125-Luke, 133-Ono, 141-Blaze, 149-SVN, 157-James, 165-MM, 174-Levi, 184-Rocco, 197-Barr, 285-Cole. 10AA, 7/8 strong possible Individual Champs

@deadheadspread3791 1 month ago

I really think if Levi comes back the only way (barring someone getting injured) Kasak or James crack the lineup is to cut down to 149 and beat Van Ness. Van Ness is tough, but is much much more beatable than PJ, Mitchell, or Levi. Those 3 guys are all top 10 pound for pound in the NCAA. Shayne is maybe top 35 pound for pound

@justsaynrush9689 1 month ago

Cael has had the time to navigate this. My money is on Cael.

@HeavyBud0 1 month ago

👋

@imacarrot6570 1 month ago

OK so we have NIL. Does that mean that teams are allowed to recruit with money? I mean it's almost a crime if Kasak doesn't start somewhere. I want to SEE him have to wrestle PJ in a real match. What we want is the best wrestlers wrestling. Not potential semi finalists sitting on the bench.

@ojmatthews6380 1 month ago

4 YEARS IS STILL GOAL & SITTING OUT A YEAR IS STILL A RS/ SIT VAN NESS' ASS WRESTLE SEALY @'49/VAN NESS RETURNS NEXT YEAR & SEALY SITS, BUT HAS SR YEAR LEFT/

@TimM-wk1zx 1 month ago

Sit Blaze for a year, Ono at 133, Desmond at 141. Blaze can’t get off the bottom at 141, and you have to wrestle Ono. I predict nobody will takedown Ono.