One of the top wrestlers left in the transfer portal has made a decision on his next destination. 

Three-time NCAA qualifier Owen Pentz announced over the weekend that he’s headed to Nebraska, adding to the upperweight options for the Huskers. 

“With change comes opportunity. I believe I have secured my greatest one yet. Excited to get to work. GBR,” Pentz wrote on a Facebook post. 

Pentz compiled a 45-26 record at 197 pounds the past three seasons for North Dakota State, where he racked up 26 pins, several against highly-ranked opponents. Pentz notched a first-round fall against second-seeded Husker Eric Schultz in the opening round of the 2021 NCAA Championship, decked then-#4 Stephen Buchanan in 2022 and pinned then-#2 Ethan Laird of Rider in January at the Southern Scuffle. 

Pentz’s move to Nebraska could signal a weight change. The 6-foot-2 Utah native could move up to heavyweight with the Huskers, who seem to be well-positioned with soon-to-be sophomores Lenny Pinto and Big Ten champion Silas Allred occupying the 184- and 197-pound spots. 

Pentz began his career at Fresno State before the Bulldogs announced in October of 2020 that they were dropping their program. He transferred that January to North Dakota State and became a fixture in the Bison lineup, placing seventh, sixth and fourth at the Big 12 Championships while becoming one of the conference’s top pinners. 

Pentz is the fifth 2023 North Dakota State starter to resurface elsewhere after former Bison head coach Roger Kish’s move to Oklahoma. Heavyweight Juan Mora and 184-pounder DeAnthony Parker reunited with Kish in Norman, while All-Americans Jared Franek (157) and Michael Caliendo (165) committed to Iowa.