You got a plan or something? Whatever it is Cael & Co. have, it's working.

Penn State has dominated the decade both on the mat and on the recruiting trail. In a feature earlier this summer we showed that Penn State and Ohio State tied for the best average recruiting class ranking since 2008. However, whereas tOSU cashed that in to just one NCAA title, the Nittany Lions have won 7 of the last 8 while outscoring the next best team (Iowa) by more than ten points-per-year at NCAA's.

Early in their run, the common mantra was that PSU would 'come back down to earth' after Ed Ruth graduates. Then after David Taylor. After Zain? Maybe after Nolf. Probably after Mark Hall. Yeah. After Hall and Cenzo. 

While it's humorous, you can't much deny that 1) Penn State's bonus point rate is ridiculous and 2) you couldn't have predicted it from Zain, Nolf, Cenzo, etc.

Which leads us to today, and the future of the current PSU dynasty. Who will be the next bonus point machines? Who will be the next Taylor or Zain? Because for all PSU's success, there have been close calls, like last year when the title wasn't decided until the 637th match of the 640-match NCAA tournament.

Lightweights

On the Roster:

The leadoff batters for future PSU line-ups will come from a youth movement. Gavin Teasdale, Roman Bravo-Young, Brody Teske, Adam Busiello, and Nick Lee - in some permutation - will make up the opening weights. Lee is a Soph. Teasdale, RBY, and Teske are True Freshmen, and Busiello arrives in 2019. It's a bounty of young talent as all of them were Top 18 recruits in their class with the exception of Teske, who was #34. Teske also has the distinction of being considered both 'raw' and a career 125, which bodes even better for his prospects. Also keep in mind that Penn State picked up 133/141lber Jack Davis late in the process. He was #82 on his SR Big Board. 

While most teams would probably consider themselves set down low, Penn State will 1) continue to attract interest from the top recruits based on their results and 2) not assume they have all the pieces in place for the next 5 years. See: Suriano, Nick. 

So while there's no immediate need, and no rumors of links to blue-chip lightweights at the moment, let's take a look at which prospects might make sense for Penn State...

Targets: 

There aren't many (if any) availalbe lightweights in the Class of 2019 that I'd consider a fit for PSU. And I see them taking inventory of all their youngsters - seeing what they have in them - and looking to future classes. 

2020 offers plenty of intriguing options down low as five of the current Top 10 on the JR Big Board are project as lightweights. 

Josh Saunders would be a great option, offering the flexibility to go 41 or 49 depending on what Nick Lee does. In all facets - temperament, personality, and character - I think it's a good fit for Penn State. 

133's are more of a luxury. But I think Penn State will be interested in Robert Howard and figure the weight thing out later. Perhaps the same can be said of Beau Bartlett.

Other lightweights in the Top 10 - Travis Mastrogiovanni and Dom Serrano - I don't think happen based on current information.

Middleweights

On the Roster:

Ah. Life after Zain-Nolf.

Brady Berge will go 149 this season and based on size and roster need, I believe he bumps to 157 the following season. That would leave three options at 149: 1) Jared Verkleeren, 2) a bumped up Nick Lee, 3) a future recruit.

157 should be taken care of when Berge moves up, replacing Nolf. 

There are two years yet to figure out 65 after Vincenzo Joseph, but Joe Lee is waiting in the wings there. 

Mark Hall will have two more years left (and more should he take an Olympic year). Beyond that could be either Mason Manville or perhaps a year of Aaron Brooks, though I think the latter will be a 184.

Theoretically, most of the bases are covered here.

Targets:

Building on the comments in the lightweight section, I think a 41/49 swing guy is the way to go. And I just can't get over thinking how much sense Josh Saunders makes, and in that same vein, Sammy Hillegas. While Hillegas has many suitors, Penn State at this time isn't one of them. That could change with a breakout S32.

The next order is speculation as it appears the Nits could use some depth at 165/174 for the future, depending upon the development of Joe Lee and Mason Manville (who could also need/take an OLY year).

At one time, I though for sure Carter Starocci would be a Lion. Now he's out there taking trips to (as far as I know) every place but State College (though he's been there often). I'm not as convinced as I once was, but I think Starocci is still in play for PSU and a great fit. His personality, style, and enjoyment of the sport jibe. 

Another in-state option, this one from the Class of 2020, is Thayne Lawrence.

Farther down the line - watch for Anthony Ferrari (FR) and/or Carson Manville (SO) joining the PSU middleweight fray.

Upperweights

On the Roster:

The heir apparents at all three upperweights are taking deferred years this season. One could pencil in Aaron Brooks-for-Shakur Rasheed (184), Michael Beard-for-Bo Nickal (197), and Seth Nevills-for-Nick Nevills (285), wipe your hands and be done with it.

But that's no fun.

Targets:

I look for Penn State to make a push for AJ Ferrari. Whether it's as a 197 or 285, Penn State could use someone in addition to Beard/Nevills. "Depth guys shouldn't be at the blue chip level!!!" Welcome to the real world. PSU will be a player for Ferrari.

Additionally (and this comes entirely from the 'just because they are really good' department as opposed to intel), I wonder if Cael targets Alex Facundo or Paddy Gallagher as 174/184.

Summation

Lightweights - Probably a year away from adding any reinforcements unless it's a 41/49.

Middleweights - A 41/49 is likely needed from the Class of 2020. And unless Mason Manville is the answer at 174 after Mark Hall, PSU needs to target that weight as well in 2020.

Upperweights - With three starters graduating, PSU is going to be left with three starters that are all freshmen next year. And there's no Penn State-caliber starters behind them on the roster. None. They'll be recruiting for luxury or for 'what if,' but they'll be recruiting upperweights. 

Related Reading:

Depth Charts:  Iowa    |    Oklahoma State    |   Nebraska   |    Michigan    |    Ohio State   |   UNC   |   VTech

Targets:   Iowa   |   Oklahoma State   |   Nebraska     |    Michigan   |  Ohio St.   |    UNC   |   VTech

Class of 2019 DI Commitment List

Top 100 Recruits of 2019

Top 100 Recruits of 2020