Blue White Illustrated

N E W C O M E R S O F I N F L U E N C E RICH GET RICHER n some of Cael Sanderson's previous recruiting classes, a single standout headlined the group. Other years, when enough scholarship funds were available, two or three blue-chip prospects would comprise a collection of stars, and on a nearly annual basis they would rank as one of the best classes in the na- tion. But Penn State's Class of 2018 is unlike any of its predecessors. It's not just a few wrestlers who bring na- tional recognition with them to University Park. This year, there are seven newcomers, all of whom rank among the best 50 high school wrestlers in the country. Together, they make up the best class in college wrestling, not just one of the best. It's a unanimous recruiting crown for Sanderson and his staff this season, as all the national publications have put the Nittany Lions atop their list. Rounding out the top five, according to Inter- matWrestle.com, are Ohio State, North Carolina State, Minnesota and Nebraska. While the Lions are bringing in an abundance of talent, they are not merely stockpiling wrestlers as part of a plan to load up the lower rungs of the depth chart with all-world talent and keep it away from other teams in the Big Ten. Rather, most of the incoming freshmen arrive at weight classes of need. Penn State has immediate openings at 125 and 133 pounds for the 2018-19 sea- son. The solution? Bring in a trio of light- weights to fill two spots – the competition for which will begin once they arrive on campus this summer. All three options – Brody Teske, Gavin Teasdale and Roman Bravo-Young – are four-time state cham- pions, but at least one will have to redshirt next season. In future seasons, however, it's likely all three will find their way into dual meets, as redshirt seasons will likely be staggered until all three have earned spots in the starting lineup. Elsewhere, Sanderson brings in a heavyweight just in time – and there's some familiarity to the addition. Nick Nevills enters his final season of eligibility just as his little brother, Seth, arrives on campus as a true freshman. After spend- ing his first year adjusting to the college level, Seth Nevills will likely take over for his brother as a redshirt freshman. While Nick was a star recruit in his own right, Seth, who has a naturally bigger frame, has boasted a heavyweight career like no other in California history. The needs aren't as acute among the middleweights, but PSU shored those up, too. With a couple of them set to take a year off between high school and college, thus delaying their enrollment by a year, they'll be arriving on campus just as some of PSU's national champs, who currently man the lineup from 157-184 pounds, are exhausting their eligibility. That's the plan, anyhow, as Sanderson maps out future lineups in order to con- tinue Penn State's dynastic reign over the sport. THE HEADLINERS Brody Teske Fort Dodge, Iowa | 125 pounds RANKINGS No. 37 overall by Inter- matWrestle.com; No. 8 at 126 by Flo- Wrestling.com HIGH SCHOOL The 26th four-time state champion in Iowa history, most recently at 126... Finishes with a 177-1 career record... Two-time Dan Gable Mr. Wrestler of the Year THE SCOOP Choosing Penn State over Iowa, Iowa State and Northern Iowa, Teske joins the Nittany Lions at a weight class of need. He also reportedly has the best chance of the three incoming light- weight recruits to maintain 125 pounds throughout his career. He could be in line for a redshirt his first season, which might allow Teasdale to spend one season at the opening weight class before he out- grows it. Gavin Teasdale Jefferson, Pa. | 125/133 pounds RANKINGS No. 20 overall by Inter- matWrestle; No. 3 at 126 by FloWrestling HIGH SCHOOL The 13th four-time state champion in Pennsylvania history, most recently at 126... Finishes with a 162-2 career record THE SCOOP Previously committed to Iowa, Teasdale switched to the Lions after winning his third state title in March 2017. Joining the team at a weight class of need, Teasdale has a good chance to earn a starting spot as a true freshman for the upcoming season. He's on the fringe of being a 125-pounder in college and might only have one or two seasons there before he grows into a natural at 133. Roman Bravo-Young Sunnyside, Ariz. | 133/141 pounds RANKINGS No. 15 overall by Inter- matWrestle; No. 1 at 132 by FloWrestling HIGH SCHOOL The 31st four-time state champion in Arizona history, most recently at 132... Four-time Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Arizona state tournament, just the third wrestler to do so... Finishes with a 182-0 career record, concluding the longest win streak in state history Three-time defending NCAA champions set to welcome nation's top class | I W R E S T L I N G T H E H E A D L I N E R S TEASDALE

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