It’s been another dominant year for Penn State wrestling, and it’s all led to the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Cleveland. The Nittany Lions rolled to their sixth straight undefeated regular season, going 15-0 with eight shutouts.

Penn State has won 12 of the last 14 national championships, including four straight. Last season, all 10 Penn Staters were designated as All-Americans; three made it to the NCAA finals, and two took home individual titles. After all that, we’ve compiled our predictions for the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships.

125 Pounds: No. 1 Luke Lilledahl

Peyton Stagliano: First Place

At the start of the season, Luke Lilledahl had a few rough matches, which made me a bit skeptical of how his season would unfold. However, as the season progressed, he really impressed me, especially in his bouts against Dean Peterson of Iowa, one of his few losses his freshman year, and Nic Bouzoukis of Ohio State, who is arguably the strongest wrestler at 125 pounds. Lilledahl likely struggled early on because he spent the summer wrestling freestyle, and the transition from freestyle to folkstyle can often be challenging.

Lilledahl has a challenging set of matches for him throughout the tournament faces a challenging second-round matchup against either Ezekiel Witt of North Dakota State or Jett Strickenberger of West Virginia. He already wrestled the Mountaineer earlier in the season, which gave him a tough test. However, Lilledahl has improved significantly since then and should be able to handle either opponent. He will likely face Dean Peterson for the third time this season in the quarterfinals, but having already shown his dominance over Peterson, Lilledahl should come out on top and advance.

In the semifinals, Lilledahl could face either Troy Spratley of Oklahoma State or Sheldon Seymour of Lehigh. While he has yet to wrestle Spratley, Seymour knocked Lilledahl out of title contention at last season’s NCAA tournament and is the last person to defeat him in folkstyle, aside from his own teammate, Nate Desmond. That said, Lilledahl has made significant improvements since last season, and I am confident he can come out on top in either semifinal matchup.

There are several wrestlers Lilledahl could face in the finals, including Nic Bouzoukis and Jore Volk of Minnesota, both of whom he previously took to sudden victory. However, Lilledahl seems focused on redemption from last season, and as he told the media on Monday, “nobody in the bracket is at my level, I think.” For that reason, I have Luke Lilledahl as your national champion at 125 pounds.

Brian Kriley: First Place

“Lightning” Luke Lilledahl has lost just one match all year long, when he lost an unofficial bout to teammate Nate Desmond at the Black Knight Invitational back in November. Since then, the sophomore has rolled through just about every opponent he’s faced, leading to a second straight individual Big Ten title.

I think Lilledahl will avenge his disappointing showing at nationals last year with a national championship win this year. He’d go against a tough schedule and could potentially face Lehigh’s Sheldon Seymour, who’s undefeated this season and upset Lilledahl at nationals last year, but I have faith that Lilledahl will rise to the occasion and become the first of many Penn State national champions this weekend.

Cooper Cazares: First Place

“Lightning” Luke takes the crown at 125 pounds this year at the national championships. The Nittany Lion is essentially undefeated on the season, with just one unofficial loss to his teammate, Nate Desmond, at the Black Knight Invitational in November. Since then, the Nittany Lion has overcome every challenge in his way, including highlight wins against Iowa’s Dean Peterson and Ohio State’s Nic Bouzakis.

It’ll be a tough road to the finals for the sophomore as he’ll likely face Peterson in the quarterfinals and either Troy Spratley of Oklahoma State or Sheldon Seymour of Lehigh in the semifinals. Seymour knocked the Nittany Lion out of the title race last season and has not yet faced the Mountain Hawk since. It should also be noted that the defending national champion, Vincent Robinson, could also be a semifinal matchup.

I expect Lilledahl to face Eddie Ventresca of Virginia Tech or Bouzakis in the finals, where he’ll take what is sure to be a close match for the first national title of his young career.

133 Pounds: No. 3 Marcus Blaze

Peyton Stagliano: Second Place

The 133-pound weight class is one of the toughest in the country, with all top 5 seeds being freshmen. Blaze’s path won’t be easy, especially in the later rounds. He is likely to face Drake Ayala of Iowa in the quarterfinals. Blaze is 2-0 against Ayala this season, most recently earning a 4-1 sudden victory win in the Big Ten semifinals. Given how tight the match was, along with Ayala’s strong performance at the Big Ten tournament, this one is expected to be just as close.

In the semifinals, Blaze will likely face either defending national champion Lucas Byrd of Illinois or Ohio State’s Ben Davino. The Buckeye handed Blaze his only loss of the season in the Big Ten Championship finals, though Blaze beat him earlier in the regular season. Both matches went into overtime, so another overtime battle won’t be surprising if they meet again. Byrd may present a more favorable matchup, but Blaze would have a strong chance to turn the tables in a rematch against Davino. Blaze is a fierce competitor, and when he is focused on an opponent, he rises to the challenge.

In the finals, Blaze will most likely face Jax Forrest of Oklahoma State. The two met three times in high school, most recently at the 2024 Olympic trials, where Blaze won 8-1 in freestyle. This has the potential to be the most intriguing matchup in this weight class. Forrest brings a more aggressive offensive style and thrives in scrambles, while Blaze is highly disciplined defensively and rarely breaks his stance, evident in the fact that he has yet to give up a takedown this season. However, if anyone can break through Blaze’s defense, it’s Jax Forrest. For that reason, I have Marcus Blaze finishing second at the national tournament.

Brian Kriley: First Place

The freshman phenom is coming off his first collegiate loss in the Big Ten Championship to Ohio State’s Ben Davino. Despite the defeat, Blaze has been spectacular this year, and I have no doubt he’ll bounce back. The freshman will likely face Davino again in the semifinals. I’m sure a lot of people would predict the Buckeye to get the win to move on to the championship to wrestle against the No. 1-seeded Jax Forrest, probably. I think if anyone can knock off Forrest, it’ll be Blaze, who will get the job done in one of the most competitive weight classes in recent years. While it’s optimistic and he’s certainly an underdog, I think Blaze will surprise a lot of people and become a national champion.

Cooper Cazares: Second Place

Marcus Blaze has been phenomenal in his first season in Happy Valley. Unfortunately, for the true freshman, 133 pounds is arguably the toughest weight class we’ve seen in recent years. The top 5 seeds, made up of all freshmen, make for a crowded path to the podium.

Blaze’s side of the bracket is loaded with talent as he’ll probably face multiple-time national finalist in Iowa’s Drake Ayala in a quarterfinal matchup. In the semifinals, Blaze will face the winner between the quarterfinal bout between defending national champion Lucas Byrd of Illinois and Ohio State’s Ben Davino.

Blaze lost to Davino in the Big Ten finals, but defeated the Buckeye in the regular season. Both matchups went to the rideout periods, and neither wrestler has taken the other down yet this season. I predict Blaze will get past Davino and meet Oklahoma State’s Jax Forrest in the finals. Forrest has looked unstoppable thus far, and although Blaze has had positive outcomes against the Cowboy in the past, it’ll be hard to bet against Forrest.

141 Pounds: No. 14 Braeden Davis

Peyton Stagliano: DNP

After having his redshirt pulled this season, Braeden Davis has had a mix of highs and lows. Seeded No. 14, he is likely to face Nebraska’s Brock Hardy in a second-round rematch. In their previous meeting, Davis surprised fans with an aggressive start. However, he lost momentum as the match progressed, and Hardy capitalized, securing a win by fall. Hardy is a composed competitor and could send Davis into the wrestlebacks.  

It’s difficult to predict how Davis will perform in the wrestlebacks, as the consolation bracket can be unpredictable. However, after his seventh-place finish at the Big Ten tournament, it’s hard to see him placing in a more competitive field at the NCAA tournament.  

Brian Kriley: DNP

I think Penn State will come back down to earth at 141 pounds. I predict Braeden Davis will get bounced from the bracket by No. 3 Brock Hardy in the second round. Despite starting strong against Hardy in the regular season, Davis lost by fall and has been overall lackluster in comparison to other Penn State wrestlers this year. Maybe he’ll surprise me in the consolation bracket and make a run to qualify, but I don’t see it happening.

Cooper Cazares: DNP

After getting his redshirt pulled early this season due to an Aaron Nagao injury, Davis never found his footing in his new weight class. The Nittany Lion has a season record of 12-5 but probably won’t make it past the second round of the championship bracket as he’s slated to face Nebraska’s Brock Hardy, an opponent who has pinned Davis this season.

It’s possible that the Nittany Lion makes a run in the consolation bracket; however, Davis would need to win five straight on the back end to place on the podium, a reality I don’t see happening.

149 Pounds: No. 1 Shayne Van Ness

Peyton Stagliano: Second Place

No. 1 seed Shayne Van Ness is another Penn State wrestler entering the national tournament undefeated. While he proved his dominance throughout the regular season, his performance at the Big Ten tournament was inconsistent. Van Ness didn’t fully assert himself until the finals, where he pinned Ethan Stiles of Ohio State. He has a reputation for excelling during the regular season, but then struggling to carry that momentum into the postseason.

In the semifinals, Van Ness could face either Carter Young of Maryland or Joseph Zargo of Wisconsin. Van Ness and Young already met earlier this season, where Van Ness found himself trailing 7-1 after the first period. He somehow managed to come back, scoring nine takedowns to secure the victory. If Van Ness can stay composed early, he should be in a strong position to reach the finals.

There are three contenders Van Ness could see in the finals, but I ultimately expect it to be Jaxon Joy of Cornell. Joy has had a strong season, including notable wins over Ethan Stiles and Casey Swiderski of Oklahoma State. Both Joy and Van Ness are highly offensive-minded, meaning Van Ness can’t afford to give up early takedowns, as this could create too much of a gap early in the match. For this reason, I believe Joy will have the edge, and Van Ness is likely to finish with the silver.

Brian Kriley: First Place

I foresee this being the year Shayne Van Ness breaks through and finally wins a national title. Despite some scares early in matches, Van Ness remains the only undefeated wrestler at this weight class. While he hasn’t faced quite the competition as his teammates or some of his competitors, he’s more consistent than the rest of the bracket, and I think he has what it takes to bring in a championship for Penn State.

Cooper Cazares: First Place

I’m choosing to believe in Shayne Van Ness this time around. The Nittany Lion has developed a track record of being a strong force in the regular season but tailing off towards the postseason. Van Ness earned his first Big Ten Championship, pinning Ohio State’s Ethan Stiles in the finals, making me believe this season can be different regarding the NCAA tournament.

Van Ness could have a tough test as early as the quarterfinals, where he’d face Oklahoma State’s Casey Swiderski. In the semifinals, the Nittany Lion will face North Carolina State’s Koy Buesgens or Virginia Tech’s Collin Gaj. I expect Van Ness to defeat Cornell’s Jaxon Joy in the finals; however, the matchup will be close as the Big Red wrestler has only lost once this season. As long as the Nittany Lion doesn’t give up early points, Van Ness will claim his first title at 149 pounds.

157 Pounds: No. 1 PJ Duke

Peyton Stagliano: First Place

PJ Duke was already in the conversation as a title contender at this weight, but after his dominant run at the Big Ten tournament, where he controlled the field, confidence in him has only grown. As the No. 1 seed, Duke could face Ohio State’s Brandon Cannon in the quarterfinals. This matchup shouldn’t pose much of a challenge, given that Duke handled Cannon convincingly at the Big Ten tournament with a 20-7 major decision.

In the semifinals, Duke is likely to see either Landon Robideau of Oklahoma State or Kaleb Larkin of Arizona State. While both would be unfamiliar opponents, neither seems likely to match Duke’s strength or his ability to convert on takedown opportunities.  

In the finals, I think Duke will likely face either Nebraska’s Antrell Taylor or Meyer Shapiro of Cornell. He has already proven himself against Taylor, defeating him 12-4 in the Big Ten Championship finals. If he meets Shapiro, the match could be more competitive, but it may be difficult for Shapiro to match Duke’s pace and offensive momentum. For those reasons, I project PJ Duke as the national champion.  

Brian Kriley: First Place

The freshman had an unbelievable performance at the Big Ten tournament, bringing in his first Big Ten title as well as winning the Most Outstanding Wrestler award for the event. His one loss on the season comes to defending National Champion and two-seeded Antrell Taylor out of Nebraska. However, Duke handled him with relative ease, winning by major decision in their rematch for the Big Ten title match. With how Duke has wrestled as of late, it’s hard to pick against him.

Cooper Cazares: First Place

PJ Duke is another incredible freshman who was added to the Penn State ranks this offseason. The New York native has gotten better and better this season, claiming his first Big Ten title by avenging his only loss to defending national champion Antrell Taylor from the regular season.

Duke comes in as the No. 1 seed and will likely face a familiar foe in Ohio State’s Brandon Cannon in the quarterfinals. Cannon was considered the top wrestler in the weight class before getting injured in the regular season. Despite this, Duke put up a 20-point performance against the Buckeye, keeping me extremely confident in the young Nittany Lion.

The Penn Stater will probably see Landon Robideau of Oklahoma State or Kaleb Larkin in the semifinals. Both could pose a threat; however, Duke is peaking at the right time to get past either and then eventually Taylor in the finals to claim a national title.

165 Pounds: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink

Peyton Stagliano: First Place

Nobody is touching Mitchell Mesenbrink. It’s that simple. He hasn’t lost a match since falling to David Carr in the NCAA finals as a freshman, and no opponent has come close to beating him in folkstyle since.

I think he will likely face Oklahoma State’s LaDarion Lockett in the semifinals, with either Purdue’s Joey Blaze or Iowa’s Mikey Caliendo waiting in the finals. Mesenbrink just faced Caliendo in the Big Ten Championship finals and came away with a dominant 12-3 major decision. Blaze, meanwhile, didn’t even reach the Big Ten finals. With that, I rest my case.

Brian Kriley: First Place

This one isn’t very hard. Mitchell Mesenbrink comes into nationals as the clear frontrunner. The top-seeded junior is the defending national champion and hasn’t lost since the national title match in 2024. He also has a 100% bonus rate on the season. I wouldn’t bet against him.

Cooper Cazares: First Place

If you’re able to bet on anyone to win a national title, put the mortgage on Mesenbrink to claim his second straight national title. The Nittany Lion is head and shoulders above the rest of the competition, including an 8-0 career record over No. 3 Mikey Caliendo, whom I predict he’ll beat again in the finals.

174 Pounds: No. 1 Levi Haines

Peyton Stagliano: First Place

No. 1 seed Levi Haines is another Nittany Lion who is hard to bet against. He enters the tournament 21-0 and is coming off his fourth Big Ten title. Haines has had a few close matches this season, including two tight bouts with Nebraska’s Christopher Minto, who he could potentially face in the finals.  

During the regular season dual, Haines narrowly defeated Minto with an 8-6 decision. When they met again less than two weeks ago in the Big Ten finals, Haines edged him out 2-1 on a penalty point. If they meet in the NCAA finals, the match could go either way.  

Minto is a dangerous offensive wrestler, but Haines excels at controlling matches and wearing opponents down. In close matches, Haines’ ability to stay composed is likely to carry him to another win.  

Brian Kriley: First Place

Similar to Mesenbrink, Haines has been the favorite for his weight class all year long. The lone senior in the Nittany Lions’ lineup is undefeated on the season and is coming off a third-place finish at nationals last year. There are wrestlers capable of going toe-to-toe with Haines, such as Cornell’s Simon Ruiz, who is also undefeated on the season, and Christopher Minto, who’s had two close matches with Haines this season. Despite the tough competition,  I think Haines has a much more impressive resume than every other wrestler in the bracket, and I don’t see him losing. Haines won a national title in 2024, and I believe he’ll put a cap on an illustrious collegiate career with a second national championship.

Cooper Cazares: Finals

This one makes me nervous, folks. Levi Haines, the lone senior in the starting lineup, is set to be the top seed in the 174-pound class. Although he’s been consistent and the clear No. 1 wrestler at the weight all season, there have been a few scary close matches with No. 3 Christopher Minto of Nebraska. The Nittany Lion is coming off of his fourth consecutive Big Ten Championship, but did not defeat Minto convincingly.

I’m comfortable putting Haines directly in the finals, but he’ll have a tough task against either Cornell’s Simon Ruiz or Minto. Ruiz is also undefeated, but has five fewer matches this season compared to the Nittany Lion. It’ll be a nail-biting finish, regardless of who Haines faces, but give me the senior to get his second NCAA crown.

184 Pounds: No. 1 Rocco Welsh

Peyton Stagliano: Second Place

No. 1 seed Rocco Welsh has consistently proven himself at this weight class, though not without some nail-biting matches. In the Big Ten tournament alone, he went into overtime in every match. While he is not an overly offensive wrestler, Welsh consistently finds a way to come through in critical situations.  

In the quarterfinals, Welsh could face Nebraska’s Silas Allred, whom he already defeated 14-5 during the regular season. The semifinals could present a tougher challenge with a potential matchup against Dylan Fishback of Ohio State. In their last matchup, Welsh needed a takedown with just 15 seconds remaining to secure a 7-6 victory. He got off to a slower start than usual in that match, so if he comes out with more intensity, he should be able to secure a spot in the finals.  

In the finals, I predict Welsh will either face Minnesota’s Max McEnelly or Missouri’s Aeoden Sinclair. Welsh and McEnelly had a close match in the Big Ten finals, with Welsh winning 2-1 in tiebreakers following a controversial no-takedown call. Welsh has not yet faced Sinclair, but the Tiger is a strong late scorer, which could give him an advantage since Welsh often takes matches past regulation. Regardless of the opponent, Welsh will face a tough battle, and I am not certain he can secure another victory.

Brian Kriley: Second Place

While undefeated this year, Rocco Welsh hasn’t been as dominant as most other one-seeds, and I can see him getting upset at nationals. Welsh’s style of wrestling leads to many close matches, while often going to overtime. I think Welsh has been flying a bit too close to the sun with his bouts, and I think his luck in overtime will run out. Welsh did benefit from being on a pretty favorable bracket, so I believe he’ll still make it to the championship bout before falling to Aedon Sinclair of Missouri, who just has one loss on the season.

Cooper Cazares: First Place

The guy just finds a way. In his first season with Penn State, Welsh has continuously proven himself to get the job done against top-tier opponents. He won’t put up a lot of points, but his undefeated record and Big Ten title run has shown that he can survive and advance.

With a favorable seeding on the top side of the bracket, Welsh should make it to the finals after a close match with Dylan Fishback of Ohio State. His finals matchup could be one of a couple of major players in the division, including Angelo Ferrari of Iowa, Max McEnelly of Minnesota, or Aeoden Sinclair of Missouri. It’ll be a stressful match for all Penn State fans; however, there’s no reason to doubt the Nittany Lion’s abilities to finish the job once again.

197 Pounds: No. 1 Josh Barr

Peyton Stagliano: First Place

Similar to Mesenbrink, Josh Barr seems untouchable. Since returning from a shoulder injury, Barr has shown that he competes on a level above everyone else in his weight class. He wins every match with ease, controlling the mat from start to finish.  

There are a few wrestlers I could see Barr facing in the finals, but I think he will likely face Rocky Elam of Iowa State. Barr’s combination of strength and technique will allow him to dictate the pace early. While Elam is a tough competitor, Barr’s ability to capitalize on nearly every takedown opportunity makes him the favorite to come out on top.  

Brian Kriley: First Place

Again, this is pretty easy. Josh Barr has been nothing short of unstoppable this season, posting an undefeated record and a 100% bonus rate. While Rocky Elam of Iowa State is also undefeated and is projected to take on Barr in the championship, I wouldn’t expect anything short of a national title for the Nittany Lion.

Cooper Cazares: First Place

Another easy pick for me. Barr has been the epitome of dominance this season, winning all 19 of his bouts this season by bonus points. I could see Rocky Elam of Iowa State posing a challenge, but Barr hasn’t shown any type of weakness thus far, and I wouldn’t bet against him to get his first NCAA title.

Heavyweight: No. 9 Cole Mirasola

Peyton Stagliano: Seventh Place

No. 9 seed Cole Mirasola has made significant improvements this season. As a smaller heavyweight, it took some time to adjust to the size and strength of his opponents. Toward the end of the season, however, he has shown that he can compete with the top wrestlers in his weight class. Although he still needs time to fully grow into the weight class and build his confidence, I firmly believe he has the potential to become an All-American this year. 

In the second round, Mirasola will likely face Iowa’s Ben Kueter. The two have already split their matches this season, with a 1-1 record. However, Penn State wrestlers thrive on the big stage.

Brian Kriley: Seventh Place

Cole Mirasola has been pretty decent, albeit inconsistent, this season. He’s had flashes of great wrestling, but hasn’t been able to put it all together and string good performances. I think he’ll win his opening match before losing to Nick Feldman in the second round. While Mirasola beat Feldman in the regular season, I don’t think he’ll be able to do it again. I do, however, anticipate the redshirt freshman making a bit of a run in the consolation bracket to squeeze in All-American honors with a seventh-place finish.

Cooper Cazares: Seventh Place

I’m beyond impressed with Mirasola’s performance this season. The redshirt freshman entered the heavyweight ranks as an undersized prospect, but has grown into a real All-American contender as the No. 9 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Mirasola’s first test will come against Ben Kueter in the second round, a foe he’s split matchups with this season. If he can get past the Hawkeye, the Nittany Lion’s time in the championship bracket will likely come to an end as he’d probably face No. 1-seeded Yonger Bastida of Iowa State.

Mirasola would need to win three matches on the backside to claim All-American status, a tall task, but one that I think he could manage.