Official: National Runner-Up Rocco Welsh Commits To Penn State Wrestling
Update: 7:08 p.m. on Sunday, March 30:
It’s finally official, folks.
Rocco Welsh, the 2024 NCAA Championships runner-up at 174 pounds, has committed to Penn State wrestling, he announced on Sunday evening. Welsh’s recruitment after leaving Ohio State involved conflicting reports about possible interest from Penn State alum David Taylor and Oklahoma State.
Welsh will likely compete at the 184-pound class, trying to take the spot left by Carter Starocci — the same wrestler who defeated Welsh in the 2024 final.
Update, 8:18 a.m. on Friday, March 28:
Rocco Welsh, Ohio State’s 2024 NCAA Championships runner-up at 174 pounds, hasn’t yet committed to Penn State wrestling, per Justin Basch. Basch said Welsh is considering the Nittany Lions but is talking to other programs, including Penn State alum David Taylor’s Oklahoma State.
Original post:
The reload continues, folks.
After announcing his plan to enter the transfer portal Thursday, former Ohio State wrestler Rocco Welsh has committed to the Nittany Lions with three years of eligibility remaining, per Pat Mineo.
In a stunning move, Ohio State’s Rocco Welsh transfers to Penn State.
— The Wrestling Room (Pat Mineo) (@MrPatMineo) March 27, 2025
Welsh went 26-5 in his true freshman season two years prior, finishing as the national runner-up in the 2024 NCAA 174-pound weight class after dropping the championship bout to five-time national champion Carter Starocci.
This season, Welsh competed at 184 pounds, going 15-0 in various tournaments while burning his redshirt. Welsh will likely slide into the 184-pound weight class, a spot left open in the lineup after Starocci’s graduation. Welsh may face competition for the starting spot with freshman Zach Ryder.
Welsh will join recent commit Masanosuke Ono, as well as top class of 2025 commits Marcus Blaze and PJ Duke, in next year’s additions.
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