What We Learned At Penn State Media Day
What We Learned At Penn State Media Day
What we learned about Penn State's lineup for the 2018-19 season at the Nittany Lions' media day.
Penn State has more eyes on it than any other program, but with that comes a veil of secrecy. Because the coaching staff likes to keep things close to the chest, media day is circled as a time to learn about the team's plans for the season.
Even with a squad that has won three straight national titles and seven team titles in the past eight years, there are new questions every season. One of those questions was answered when the roster came out, which was that Shakur Rasheed will be at 184 and Bo Nickal at 197. Of note, Cael Sanderson said Nickal is "well over 200 pounds," so no doubt he'll be big enough.
Watch Cael's entire press conference below, starting at 30:00
But the real brain busters come at 125, 133, 149, and 285. The answer at 133 is the most straight forward: true freshman Roman Bravo-Young will not be redshirting, he's the guy. He's going right away this weekend against Kent State and will be the starter this season.
The weight below there are several questions. Devin Schnupp was the starter at 125 for most of last season and will hold the position once again through at least January. He'll get the start against Kent State on Sunday.
As for the other two guys at that weight, true freshmen Brody Teske and Gavin Teasdale will compete in open tournaments in the first semester (which does not include the Keystone Classic) and then a decision will be made after the Southern Scuffle.
The likely starters for both 149 and heavyweight were announced today as well. Jarod Verkleeren will start against Kent State, and both he and Brady Berge will be at Keystone. The plan for now is to alternate them in duals, so theoretically both will wrestle in two duals this semester before the Scuffle at the start of January.
Meanwhile at heavyweight, Anthony Cassar will go against the Golden Flashes. Both he and Nevills will wrestle at the Keystone Classic. Sanderson also said that Nevills is coming off a surgery that occurred right after the national tournament. No word on if they will alternate duals like the 149 pounders.
Penn State's Lineup For Kent State
125: Devin Schnupp, RSO
133: Roman Bravo-Young, FR
141: Nick Lee, SO
149: Jarod Verkleeren, RFR
157: Jason Nolf, RSR
165: Vincenzo Joseph, RJR
174: Mark Hall, JR
184: Shakur Rasheed, RSR
197: Bo Nickal, RSR
285: Anthony Cassar, SR